Raúl Grijalva

The public space is not only where history is retold, but where history actually happened.

Often the stories and narratives they learn from our memorials and public spaces are not entirely true.

The educational role of the Mall is often forgotten by Congress, and I hope we can discuss that as well today.

The National Mall is where we recognize our triumphs and also our failures.

I am glad my colleagues have decided to address this topic. It is always good to revisit our previous successes.

Nevermind the public processes and sound science that informed the agency--people want to go outside of that process and have legislators put their finger on the scale.

The parks are dealing with dueling mandates issued nearly a century ago. They constantly have to balance the protection of resources with providing recreational access.

Summer vacation for many families is being planned as we speak, and if you would listen to those who planned this hearing, you would think that there was no way to visit a national seashore or park this summer.

This process has been in the dark, that there has been no transparency.

As my colleague Alan Burr said, we chose to be shot in our foot and not in our head.

Both of these plans have sound science supporting the suggestions--something everyone may not like, but it is a nonpartisan view.

Unfortunately, those who have spoken out on this issue in town have been harassed and in some cases threatened.

We ask for people to be involved in their government, yet in this situation people are ridiculed, have nails put in their driveway, and in one case photos were taken inside of a home as a threat.

Never mind the public process and sound science that informed the agency; people want to go outside that process and have legislators put their finger on the scale.

I appreciate it, sir. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

I claim time in opposition. The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman from Arizona is recognized for 5 minutes.

With that, I will close. The contradiction is very important. The majority talks about local control, local control. In this instance, you have the State of Louisiana that has prevented this, that has prohibited this type of hunting on its…

I demand a recorded vote. The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Arizona will be postponed. Amendment No. 4 Offered by Mr. Peters The Acting CHAIR. It is now…

If I may, if I could inquire from Chairman Hastings as to anymore speakers. I am prepared to close.

I demand a recorded vote. The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Arizona will be postponed. Amendment No. 2 Offered by Mr. Hastings of Florida

First of all, he was a very modest man. He would have expected something far less dramatic, far less--he would have wanted something on a smaller scale, I believe.

To say that the Eisenhower family had gone along with every aspect of this process would not be correct, and we found it important to correct the record.

The family is committed to playing its role in assuring that the process and the design reflect an open and transparent process.

I don't think this subcommittee, this Committee, or Congress is the appropriate place to litigate a memorial design or a potential family dispute.

However, I do not think this subcommittee, the full Committee, or Congress is the appropriate place to litigate a memorial design or a potential family dispute.