Bill Johnson

I think this legislation is so important to honor the faith of the men, not only the men who fought but our President, who offered that prayer.

I do, however, hope that I can work with the Secretary to continue this work because I think it is so very, very important and meaningful to the people who served.

What this impending withdrawal will do is rip apart one of our economic opportunities to the detriment of the people I represent.

Saying that the Grand Canyon will suffer because of mines is a bogus straw man.

Our county is made up of hardworking, middle class Americans who rely on mining and service industries connected with the State, Federal and private lands on which we live.

This mining will not take place in the park or anywhere close to the Grand Canyon.

We respect and take a responsibility for protecting the Grand Canyon National Park.

I have cosponsored a companion bill in the Senate, S. 1690, with Senator John McCain of Arizona.

So the Congress represents the voice of the American people, correct?

Careful environmental studies... make it clear that uranium mining in this area pose no real threat to the environment.

We believe strongly that the recent calls for a withdrawal of the area... violate the spirit of that 1983/84 agreement.

Mr. Chairman, the Northern Arizona Mining Continuity Act is simply an effort to restore an agreement...

What better way to commemorate that than to recognize what the commander-in-chief said on that day?

More importantly the question of whether the prayer is added to the Memorial should be left up to the men and women who the Memorial is dedicated to.

I believe the President's prayer gave solace, comfort and strength to our Nation.

I think it is disingenuous for the Administration to say that this legislation should not go forward...

I believe that there are several areas within the memorial that would be suitable for the prayer's placement...

Those words should be included among the tributes to the greatest generation, memorialized on the national mall...

I believe that he is a true American hero, and I look forward to his testimony today.

Well, thank you, Mr. Chairman and Ranking Member Grijalva, for holding this hearing today and for considering this legislation...

Let me be clear, all funds must be raised by the Gold Star Mothers National Monument Foundation; this will not cost the taxpayer a single dime.

This nonsensical effort by the Obama Administration is a step in precisely the wrong direction for the American economy, making the U.S. even more dependent on foreign powers and potentially creating a serious national security threat…

FDR Prayer submitted for the record by The Honorable Bill Johnson.

This potentially creates a serious national security threat going forward.

The locking up of a million acres of mining in northern Arizona ignores the economic realities of the state and will do fiscal harm to the local area.