Eni Faleomavaega: “I too am truly saddened to learn of our colleague's passing today. Congressman Bruce Vento was truly a champion and one…”

“I too am truly saddened to learn of our colleague's passing today. Congressman Bruce Vento was truly a champion and one of the outstanding leaders of this institution whenever conservation and environmental issues were deliberated and debated in this Chamber. As a senior member of the House Committee on Resources, the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Vento) let it be known to all the members of our committee and to all of our colleagues where the line is drawn whenever environmental issues are taken up by this body. In the many years that he served as chairman of the Subcommittee on National Parks and Public Lands, I can attest to my colleagues and to our Nation that some 300 bills that have become law have Vento's signature on them. I can honestly say that even the national park that is now established in my own district was due mainly to Vento's leadership and legislative skills that Congress passed a law to have this national park in my district. I want to express the sense of appreciation and gratitude from our traditional leaders and from the people of American Samoa to Mr. Vento. I am going to miss this gentle giant, and I say giant, from Minnesota.”