Political Quotes

“I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, this past weekend I had the opportunity to be in a truly remarkable part of the United States in southwestern Colorado, an area called Chimney Rock, which is an area renowned for its cultural heritage and its important archeological traits. Chimney Rock is considered by the historic preservation community and the archeological community to be one of the most significant archeological sites in the western United States. Centuries ago, hundreds of early Native Americans called the area home. Archeologists have uncovered ancient farming areas, homes, and other structures, indicating that this was a major cultural center for these early Americans. The ancestors of modern Pueblo Indians made a journey to this northernmost outpost of the Chacoan civilization to witness a rare lunar occurrence that they held to be sacred. Chimney Rock is only one of three sites like this in the entire world. Despite the scarcity of this gem, the Chimney Rock site of the San Juan National Forest has yet to receive a designation worthy of its historical and cultural significance. The area is currently under the management of the U.S. Forest Service and is covered under the USFS Organic Act, which has no provision to be able to address preservation and the management of such a historic and culturally significant area as Chimney Rock. H.R.…”