Political Quotes

“Nonetheless, in a sense, what this amendment would do is strip Congress of its authority to designate national parks and wilderness areas proposed in this bill, and it would give individuals owning lands in the bill, veto power over both the Congress and the President. Essentially what it does is subject the fate of millions of acres of park lands and wilderness to a small minority of individuals who refuse to sell or delay the acquisition process beyond 10 years. This bill has no legislative taking of private property. I, too, believe in private property rights. In 9 years as mayor of San Francisco, despite all of the importuning, I never, ever used the right of eminent domain, because I basically, philosophically, believe that there should be a willing seller and a willing buyer. However, the failure here to acquire as little as 10 percent of the inholdings would nullify park or wilderness designations and wilderness study areas. I think this amendment would also set a very dangerous precedent. In the 121-year history of national parks, Congress has never made the designation of parks or wilderness areas contingent upon the acquisition of inholdings.”