Political Quotes

“I am pleased to have been a cosponsor of the California desert protection bill, which the Senate passed this morning. We have finally been able to secure lasting protection for the irreplaceable ecosystems in the desert of southern California. The California Desert Protection Act was first introduced in 1985. After more than 8 years of effort, the Senate vote today clears the way for establishment of the largest wilderness area ever created in the lower 48 States. The act will protect 6.4 million of the 25 million acres of the southern California desert as wilderness and national park areas. The desert teems with more than 760 species of wildlife, including bighorn sheep and the endangered desert tortoise. The topography of the desert includes giant dunes, extinct volcanoes, and more than 100,000 archeological sites. The desert is also home to a vast array of plant life, including the oldest Joshua tree forest in the country. Careless exploitation of the desert's resources can destroy what has existed for tens of thousands of years. The vital task of preserving fragile ecosystems and the biodiversity that exists within them is one of the Federal Government's most important responsibilities. The citizens and scientists, environmentalists and government officials who worked so hard for the California Desert Protection Act over the years can be proud of their perseverance in getting this wilderness area established.”