"History has already affirmed the wisdom of previous national monument designations and history will judge new attempts to weaken the Act very harshly."
"This is a debate about whether we want to lose critical cultural and natural resources to unlimited drilling, unending road building, and unrestricted off-road vehicle use."
"The proponents of legislation to undermine the Antiquities Act... are on the wrong side of history."
"The Antiquities Act was never meant to circumvent Congress and designate huge parcels of land as National Monuments."
"I didn't introduce the Montana Land Sovereignty Act to undermine the intent of the Antiquities Act."
"Without a doubt many of the 71 existing national monuments are extremely valuable natural and historic treasures."
"At a minimum though the predictions or the claim that designations of national monuments are harmful to the local economies, that isn't borne out in your research?"
"It is amazing to me in this hearing that many of the same people that are saying that also do not seem to care about the efficiency of the taxpayer's money in this particular instance."
"The American people overwhelmingly support their parks."
"Every Member of Congress says he or she supports National Parks."
"Truly supporting National Parks means leaving future generations a system that is even stronger, more popular and healthier."
"Mischaracterizing the dedicated men and women who wear the NPS uniform as out-of-touch or uncaring is not the way to support national parks."