Political Quotes

“I listened with great attention to the debate concerning the amendment that is before us. I would like to specifically identify the amendment in some detail because I think Members should have an understanding of just what the intention of the Senator from Illinois is. In the amendment, the specific purpose is to prohibit the use of funds for the conduct of preleasing, leasing, and related activities within national monuments established under the act of June 8, 1906. It is further appropriate to reflect on the concluding sentence of the amendment, which states: . . . a national monument established under the Act of June 8, 1906 (16 U.S.C. 431 et seq.), except to the extent that such a preleasing, leasing, or other related activity is allowed under the Presidential proclamation establishing the monument. So one has to question just what the purpose of the amendment is. It says, on one hand, no funds will be allowed for preleasing within national monuments, and then it concludes by saying: ``except to the extent that such preleasing, leasing, or other related activity is allowed under the Presidential proclamation establishing the monument.'' What we have here, in the establishment of a monument, in the normal course of events, is a Presidential proclamation. And in that proclamation it is specifically addressed as to what can occur within the monument. I really question the necessity of the amendment. I question the applicability of the amendment.”