On the recordApril 9, 2024
I have no further requests for time, and I yield myself the balance of my time to close. Mr. Speaker, I stand, once again, in support of this bipartisan act, which reflects so much hard work, compromise, understanding, and listening to the many voices who shared with us what they wanted to see in a bill that would increase conservation, that would increase access, and that would increase the ability of Americans to celebrate our public lands, to celebrate America's best ideas, which are our national parks. But also, to celebrate something like the 100-year anniversary of the Gila Wilderness, which I will be celebrating in a few weeks in New Mexico, where we had our first wilderness. Indeed, even in that wilderness, we could use some help making sure that the gateway community has access to the kinds of resources we need to make sure that people who might not be able to clamor up to the cliff dwellings can access and learn about those cliff dwellings. It is this recognition of the many hardships but beautiful opportunities that present themselves in our public lands that the EXPLORE Act addresses. Mr. Speaker, for all of these reasons, I stand in support of this bipartisan legislation. I urge all of my colleagues to vote ``yes'' in favor of this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
