Maurice Hinchey: “This bill will authorize the Federal Government to participate in the purchase of Sterling Forest, the last piece of…”

“This bill will authorize the Federal Government to participate in the purchase of Sterling Forest, the last piece of open space in the Metropolitan New York Area. It is a critically important thing to do, protects the watershed of 2 million people in New Jersey, an additional number in southeastern New York. That alone makes this bill extremely important. Also, this bill sets aside a number of American Heritage Areas around the country, and I would particularly like to note the fact that the Hudson River Valley, probably the most historic area in the Nation, is recognized as an American Heritage Area in this legislation. The Hudson Valley of course contains West Point, it contains Washington's headquarters, the first national historic site in the Nation, and a wealth of other historic places recognized by this American Heritage Area. This is a very worthy product, and I appreciate the hard work that has gone into this by all the Members, and I would urge the Members in the other House to pay attention to this piece of legislation. It is critically important for millions of Americans and deserves to be passed by this Congress.”