Douglas Alexander: “I take a few minutes in honor of the 40th anniversary of what we call the Land and Water Conservation Fund, or the LWCF…”

“I take a few minutes in honor of the 40th anniversary of what we call the Land and Water Conservation Fund, or the LWCF in this country. Forty years ago, in September of 1964, President Johnson signed legislation establishing the fund. It has been an important factor in preserving open spaces in our country ever since. The idea began under a Republican President, President Eisenhower, who signed legislation creating a commission to determine what should be done to preserve outdoor space for recreation. Then a Democratic President, President Kennedy, submitted legislation to Congress creating the Land and Water Conservation Fund. In submitting the draft legislation, President Kennedy wrote: The Nation needs a land acquisition program to preserve both prime Federal and State areas for outdoor recreation purposes. . . . In addition to the enhancement of spiritual, cultural, and physical values resulting from the preservation of those resources, the expenditure for their preservation are a sound financial investment. Shortly thereafter, it passed the House by a vote voice and the Senate with only one vote in opposition. Then President Johnson signed it into law.”