Peter Deutsch: “Mr. Chairman, I appreciate several of my colleagues from the other side of the aisle speaking in favor of this…”

“Mr. Chairman, I appreciate several of my colleagues from the other side of the aisle speaking in favor of this amendment. I think what is clear is this is a bipartisan amendment. It is not just a Florida amendment. Each of us in Florida can speak to specific acquisitions that need to be taken by this country. We can speak, in fact, in south Florida alone, probably in the billion-dollar range of appropriate lands that should be bought by governmental entities. The State of Florida has taken the lead, local governments have taken the lead, and the Federal Government needs to be a participant in that. The property is only getting more expensive. If there is any lesson about land acquisition by governmental entities, it is do it now. Do not do it tomorrow. Do not do it in 5 years. Do not do it in 10 years. Do it now. Because the reality is the land is only getting more expensive. And not just that they are getting more expensive but there is another reason. Each of us is getting a little bit older, our children are getting older and our grandchildren are getting older. What that means is a little less opportunity for us and our children and our grandchildren to enjoy really the treasures of America. That is really what this debate is about, really giving the treasures of America to our children, our grandchildren and ourselves. As I said, there is a place in every part of America that benefits by this amendment.”