Colorado Wilderness Act of 2019

Floor Speech

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Mr. NEGUSE. Mr. Chairman, I want to join my colleagues in support of this important lands package which is not a messaging bill. It is a bill that will protect endangered species, improve climate mitigation, and support our Nation's growing outdoor recreation economy. Every component of this bill certainly accomplishes those ends.

But, in particular, the Colorado Wilderness Act Title I provides Federal protections to many of Colorado's most beautiful and treasured lands, and that I can attest to as a Representative for Colorado's Second Congressional District.

I am inspired by my colleague, Congresswoman DeGette's dedication and her championing of this cause, having worked on this bill for the better part of the last 20 years.

It is important that we protect these beautiful and treasured public lands for generations to come. We have a strong tradition of protecting public lands in my home State. As the Chair well knows, earlier this year we passed the Colorado Outdoor Recreation and Economy Act out of the House, which is an important step in that regard.

I think at the end of the day we should be able to agree on the goal of protecting public lands to ensure that they exist for future generations, including for the generation of my daughter who is 18 months old now--a year-and-a-half-old, I should say--and I look forward to being able to enjoy these incredible public lands with her over the many coming years.

So at the end of the day this bill makes sense. It is worth fighting for. Let's protect public lands, not just in Colorado but across the country.

Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to support the Protecting America's Wilderness Act.

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