Political Quotes

“I rise today as an original cosponsor and strong supporter of the amendment offered by my senior colleague from Virginia, Senator Warner, to help preserve for future generations the many significant Civil War battlefields in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. The amendment would create a new national park in Virginia and establish a commission, made up of local landowners and historians, to devise a plan for further preservation in the Valley. Virginia is filled with many places that summon images of the Civil War; but few places can evoke a sense of truly being there like Virginia's Shenandoah Valley. I do not think there is any doubt that the Shenandoah Valley is rich in Civil War history--it is the site of both Gen. ``Stonewall'' Jackson's 1862 valley campaign and General Sheridan's 1864 Union campaign. In fact, a visitor to the area in 1994 would see the same view Stonewall Jackson had over 130 years ago. While rich in history, this area is also rich in controversy, spurring a complex public debate between preservationists and private property owners. Despite all of this present conflict, agreement has been reached with this piece of legislation and I am pleased to point out that this amendment before us today is a result of cooperation and compromise.”