Max Baucus: “it is with great sadness and regret that I rise today in support of S. 1899, a bill to name the Arctic National Wildlife…”

“it is with great sadness and regret that I rise today in support of S. 1899, a bill to name the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Wilderness for Mollie Beattie, the former Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. As most of you now know, Mollie passed away last night after a long battle with brain cancer. She fought that battle gallantly with great courage and dignity, just as she had fought so hard for this Nation's fish and wildlife resources during her recent tenure as the first woman Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. I extend my heartfelt condolences to her husband Rick Schwolsky, and the rest of her family. Mr. President, the Nation owes Mollie a deep debt of gratitude. In a time of unprecedented challenge to some of this Nation's most important environmental laws, Mollie stepped forward to remind us that threatened and endangered species, and the national wildlife refuges on which many of those species depend, must be protected for future generations of Americans to treasure and enjoy. It is therefore fitting that one of the most magnificent wilderness areas in the United States, the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Wilderness, be named for her.”