John W. Olver: “today I rise as the Member of Congress who has had the honor of following in office one of the greatest Members of this…”

“today I rise as the Member of Congress who has had the honor of following in office one of the greatest Members of this body in this century on his legacy of environmental protection and conservation for the people of the first district of Massachusetts. Out of all of Silvio Conte's great successes and legislative accomplishments, perhaps his legacy of conservation is what he will be remembered for more than anything else. Which is what makes the Conte Fish and Wildlife Refuge so fitting for this man who has had such a tremendous impact on the people of the Connecticut River Valley. Sil Conte was a sportsman and a conservationist and he understood the interrelationship between the two. He knew that, like most resources, you can't just continue to draw from it without renewal and continual reinvestment. That's what conservation is all about. Silvio Conte's favorite pastimes included fishing and bird watching. And he knew that as a Member of this body, he was in a position to ensure that future generations would have that opportunity. Sil Conte was wise enough to know that waterfowl and other migratory birds, as well as anadromous fish, know no boundaries or manmade borders. Which is why the bill before us today is a sneak attack on the concepts of conservation. This bill permanently removes the authority of the Fish and Wildlife Service to prevent activities that negate the purposes of the refuge.”