Raúl Grijalva

But the fact of the matter remains that, with Chaco Canyon, this is about preserving a sacred site, yes, primarily.

We are talking about something much more profound and deep.

My point being that this is not something that we are creating a precedent here.

Companies will simply be discouraged from developing the minerals on my behalf because it just doesn't make sense economically or technologically to pinpoint my small amount of minerals stranded amongst Federal minerals.

The bill would put off limits my mineral rights and the mineral rights of thousands of allottees.

Our voices should and must be heard equally along with the environmental special interest groups.

Today, we are here to talk about H.R. 2181 and the definite need for this bill to be implemented for permanent protection.

I am disappointed that the Department of the Interior, which is supposed to manage our mineral rights in trust to the benefit of my family and all other allottees, has stopped leasing for a full year.

Madam Chair, as we go forward with this, I appreciate the hearing and look forward to moving the legislation.

Your community, Hopi, Navajo, Inter-Tribal Council of Arizona, American Indian Congress, and tribes and nations from across the country have all supported this legislation.

I am concerned that the Grand Canyon withdrawal moratorium would be targeted under this policy.

Through the Grand Canyon Centennial Protection Act we have an opportunity to prevent new uranium mining on 1 million acres of critically important public lands.

Chairman Grijalva has, and continues to be, a champion for our community and the Grand Canyon.

In Arizona water is our most precious resource, it is life.

To suggest the bill receives significant opposition is factually incorrect.

This bill is a simple mineral withdrawal. It doesn't limit multiple use. It doesn't limit non-mining activities in the region, period.

I feel the need to respond to some of the misinformation that has been put out about the legislation, H.R. 1373, the Grand Canyon Centennial Protection Act.

I think we should be about the business of giving him what he wants.

There is no net return for the taxpayer from hardrock mining and uranium mining in this case, in particular.

Bipartisan polling shows that 78 percent of Arizonans support a mineral withdrawal around the Grand Canyon.

Supporting Congressman Raul Grijalva's proposed House Bill titled 'Grand Canyon Centennial Protection Act'

We cannot allow this to happen to one of nature's most beautiful landscapes.

Let me be clear: uranium mining is important to the United States and world economy, but uranium contamination is not.

It is an equal-treatment issue, to me, very fundamentally and very simplistically.

And like I said earlier, I appreciate you putting this meeting together, this hearing. It is impactful to shine a brighter light on this inequity that every one of you has spoken to, both in your oral and written testimonies.