Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 6734, the Keep America's Refuges Operational Act, introduced by our colleague, Representative Hakeem Jeffries. This bill will reauthorize the volunteer services, community partnerships, and refuge education programs of the National Wildlife Refuge System. The refuge system spreads itself across 568 national wildlife refuges and protects nearly 837 million acres of land, water, and wetlands. These important lands serve as homes for over an array of species, including 700 birds, 220 mammals, 1,000 fish, and 250 reptile and amphibian species. Volunteers in the refuge system are crucial to keeping the refuges running, encouraging millions of the tourists each year, and generating billions of local revenue while creating jobs for neighboring communities. Reauthorizing these volunteer services allows the Fish and Wildlife Service to continue providing transportation, uniforms, lodging, awards, subsistence, and training for those who selflessly choose to volunteer on these projects. During the March hearing on the bill, we heard from Ms. Caroline Brouwer of the National Wildlife Refuge Association, and Ms. Joan Patterson from the Coalition of Refuge Friends and Advocates about the outside role that volunteers and friend groups play in keeping refuges running, as well as serving and connecting with the local community.…”