Kay Bailey Hutchison: “For generations American farmers have worked to provide food, clothing, and shelter to their families. Farmers and…”

“For generations American farmers have worked to provide food, clothing, and shelter to their families. Farmers and ranchers in Texas and throughout the United States have tilled the soil and cleared the rangeland--and, if they had a good year, they might try to put any money left over back into the land to buy more property. This land is their wealth--their property, which our Government was formed to protect, just as it protects our homes from burglary and our money in banks from theft. Our founding fathers acknowledged that private property rights were important. They fought foreign rulers to protect it. The Bill of Rights, drafted after that struggle, says that private property shall not be taken for public use, without just compensation. But, through overly zealous environmental enforcement, this constitutional protection is being watered down. Last year, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which enforces the Endangered Species Act, proposed that up to 800,000 acres from 33 Texas counties be designated as critical habitat for the golden-cheeked warbler. This action held up land transfers, construction, home and business lending. With about 300 species in Texas being considered for listing as endangered or threatened, including 8 flies and 12 beetles, landowners in my State may face a very grave problem again soon. Recent reports about the U.S. Fish and Wildlife's latest Balcones Canyonlands Conservation Plan in Austin, TX, are discouraging.”