Political Quotes

“Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 297, sponsored by my Committee on Natural Resources' colleague, Representative Ed Case of Hawaii. Madam Speaker, this legislation would require the Secretary of Agriculture, in coordination with the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, to conduct a study to identify lands in the State of Hawaii that merit inclusion in the National Forest System. Hawaii is one of the most ecologically diverse places in the world, home to 10 of the 13 world climate zones, with ecosystems ranging from the deserts to tropics, where plants and animals that found their way to Hawaii evolved like nowhere else. The study would consider how a Hawaii national forest could contribute to the conservation of this biodiversity not found elsewhere in the National Forest System. Madam Speaker, H.R. 297 provides the first step in establishing a national forest in Hawaii and a basis for bringing together local stakeholders to move forward the conversation on how to responsibly establish a national forest in Hawaii that benefits both Hawaii's island communities as well as the National Forest Service. Madam Speaker, as we continue to work towards the Biden administration's effort to protect 30 percent of U.S.…”