Maurice Hinchey: “This is an amendment which will protect the Yellowstone bison. The Yellowstone bison are unique, in that they are the…”

“This is an amendment which will protect the Yellowstone bison. The Yellowstone bison are unique, in that they are the last element that traces its genetic strain back to the American bison that roamed the great plains and prairies of America in the early years of our history and of course much before that. In the 18th century, it is estimated that there were between 20 and 40 million American bison in the Midwest and the West of the United States between the Appalachians and the Rockies. By the advent of the 20th century that number had dwindled to 25. The American bison was almost extinct, and it almost followed the path of the passenger pigeon, but due to the intervention of conservationists and the efforts of this House, measures were taken to preserve the American bison. As a result of that, their numbers turned around and they began to prosper once again under that protection. The American bison has become an American icon. It represents the great freedom that was inherent in the vast plains and prairies of America. But now the American bison, the last genetic strain that traces its history back to those that roamed this country and earlier centuries, is in great danger.”