Pete Domenici: “those of us privileged to represent our fellow citizens on this hallowed floor get far too few opportunities to help…”

“those of us privileged to represent our fellow citizens on this hallowed floor get far too few opportunities to help usher in visionary projects that can potentially transform communities, both of man and of nature. I rise today to tell you about a project that has been discussed before on this floor; I bring it to your attention again because I believe it's a project worth doing and worth doing well. It concerns one of New Mexico's unique natural treasures: the Middle Rio Grande Bosque. According to an old Chinese Proverb, ``if you are thinking 1 year ahead, sow seed. If you are thinking 10 years ahead, plant a tree. If you are thinking 100 years ahead, educate the people.'' The bill I am introducing today encompasses the wisdom of this proverb. Two years ago, I joined the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District and the Army Corps of Engineers in unveiling a vision for the Bosque that would rehabilitate and restore this long neglected treasure of the Southwest. I return here today to begin implementing that vision.”