Political Quotes

“I thank the chairman, Mr. Camp, for his leadership on this issue. And I also want to thank and recognize Representative Gerlach of Pennsylvania. Over several terms here during his time in the United States Congress, he has been a constant advocate for so many important issues, including the conservation easement tax program which has helped a lot of people. And while this is another extension, what we really need is that it be made permanent in tax law. Even with the temporary extension, so much good has been done. I remember coming here in 1999, while serving as a local elected official, a Bucks County commissioner. I was asked to testify before the United States Senate on this topic on the Federal Government helping to preserve land throughout our great Nation. And in those 15 years since, in my community of Bucks County, we have preserved over 10,000 acres of farmland, parkland, and critical natural areas. It is important for so many different reasons, not just for good land use, planning, and quality of life, but also creating food security for our Nation. It reduces the cost of providing local government services. So much good has come of the conservation easement program and this incentive act, which is part of the greater America Gives More Act we are debating today. It is not only good tax policy, but it is good environmental policy. These are issues that can bring us together as Democrats and Republicans in this House.…”