Jeff Duncan: “I rise today to briefly mention two very unrelated topics, but two things very important to the national scene. The…”

“I rise today to briefly mention two very unrelated topics, but two things very important to the national scene. The front page of The Washington Post a few days ago had this headline: ``Nonprofit Sells Scenic Acreage to Allies at a Loss. Buyers Gain Tax Breaks with Few Curbs on Land Use.'' And I would like for the Members to listen to the first few paragraphs of this story from the front page of The Washington Post. It says: ``On New York's Shelter Island, the Nature Conservancy 3 years ago bought an undeveloped, 10-acre tract overlooking the Mashomack Preserve, an oasis of hardwoods and tidal pools located just a stone's skip from the exclusive Hamptons. Cost to the charity: $2.1 million.'' That is what the Nature Conservancy purchased this land for. ``Seven weeks later it resold the land, with some development restrictions, to James Dougherty, former chairman of the charity's regional chapter, and his wife, Nancy, a trustee of the conservancy's preserve. Cost to the Doughertys: $500,000. ``The transaction follows a pattern seen in conservancy land deals across the Nation.…”