Political Quotes

“I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, today, I am happy to speak in support of my legislation, H.R. 4073, a bill to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to accept the quitclaim, disclaimer, and relinquishment of a railroad right-of- way within the Pike National Forest in my district. Originally granted to the Mt. Manitou Park and Incline Railway Company, the Incline Trail exists today as the roadbed to the former Mt. Manitou Scenic Incline Railway, which was a cable car that took people up the eastern face of Rocky Mountain, Pikes Peak, at an average grade of 40 percent, with some of the steepest sections at a grade of 68 percent. Today, it has become a popular hike for adventure seekers in the Pikes Peak region and is said to be hiked nearly half a million times each year, although access is still considered trespassing. A citizens' initiative began over 8 years ago to encourage making access to this popular trail legal. Although all parties are amenable, due to an act dated on March 3, 1875, the Forest Service has been unable to accept the quitclaim from the Manitou and Pikes Peak Railway. Recognizing this problem, the railway company came to me and asked that I carry this legislation to allow the Forest Service the authority to accept the quitclaim, which is the last major hurdle in allowing the Incline Trail to be legally opened for public use.…”