Political Quotes

“Mr. Chairman, Congressman Grijalva, who represents southwestern Arizona, is seeking to lock up 1.7 million acres in northern Arizona, at the behest of special interest groups, for the sole purpose of preventing mining, retiring grazing permits, closing roads to OHV users, and preventing forest thinning activities. There is significant opposition in Arizona to this proposed land grab, as Americans for Responsible Recreational Access recently reported that a scientific poll found that 71.6 percent of Arizonans are opposed. In April, I held a public meeting to hear concerns about this proposal, and hundreds of local stakeholders showed up in opposition. More than 30 Arizona witnesses submitted formal testimony against this land grab, including Arizona's Governor, the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry, numerous businesses, sportsmen's groups, ag groups, local officials, and countless taxpayers. In fact, several of the comments pertaining to today are out of line. In fact, in this proposal, the entire town of Tusayan, which is in Coconino County, would be swallowed up by this proposed monument. Town managers testified against it. Arizona State Land Department Commissioner Lisa Atkins submitted testimony stating: ``Of the 1.7 million acres included in the proposal for the Grand Canyon Watershed National Monument, 64,000 acres belong solely to the Common Schools beneficiary: K-12 education.'' The list goes on and on and on. I asked everybody.…”