Political Quotes

“I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my legislation, H.R. 241. This bill will authorize the Forest Service to convey a small parcel of land on the perimeter of the Los Padres National Forest to a nonprofit organization, the White Lotus Foundation. In 1983, the White Lotus Foundation inherited property in the hills above Santa Barbara, California, on the border of the Los Padres National Forest. After operating at this location for over 25 years, the Forest Service sent a letter to the foundation notifying them of a 1/20-of-an-acre encroachment on Forest Service land. The encroachment in question is located on a loop of the only road that allows White Lotus and the rest of the public access to and from the White Lotus property. Due to the steep topography, the foundation no longer has any other reasonable alternatives. The loop lies on flat ground which holds equipment storage for fire and flood emergencies and provides access to a water pump and other necessary equipment. There is no other flat ground on which to move these items, and without this space, the foundation will be forced to cease operations. My legislation authorizes the Forest Service to enter into a land exchange with the White Lotus Foundation for land worth no less than the appraised market value.…”