Political Quotes

“I thank my good friend and colleague for yielding. Mr. Chairman, as someone who was born and raised on the Olympic Peninsula, I know firsthand how special our region is and how our public lands contribute to the fabric of who we are. In our region we understand that protecting public lands isn't just about saving these unforgettable places for future generations. It also means protecting high quality jobs for the next generation as well. As someone who worked in economic development professionally for over a decade, I have seen how our natural resources contribute to our economic vitality. Each year millions of people and families travel to my State and contribute roughly $22 billion in economic impact and support 200,000 jobs in Washington's outdoor economy. Our national treasures have created opportunities for local entrepreneurs who have started restaurants, guided tour companies, hotels, and other small businesses. That is why it makes sense to protect these special places, and it is why I am proud the House is considering this comprehensive package which includes my legislation, the Wild Olympics Wilderness and Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. This bill protects some of our environmentally sensitive areas by establishing a new wilderness area to protect the last remaining old-growth stands on the peninsula and designating 19 rivers and tributaries as wild and scenic rivers to protect critical salmon spawning habitat.…”