Colorado Outdoor Recreation and Economy Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. NEGUSE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the motion to recommit.

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Mr. NEGUSE. Mr. Speaker, this bill that we are considering today, the Colorado Outdoor Recreation and Economy Act, is about more than partisan debate. This bill is about hiking; it is about hunting; it is about fishing; it is about skiing--some of you all might not think I ski, but I do--it is about camping; and it is about a Colorado way of life and preserving our public lands.

The experiences we have outdoors with our loved ones bond us together. And, for me, that was hiking with my father in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Yesterday, my wife called me to let me know that our 1-year-old daughter walked for the first time. I cannot wait to go back to Colorado and be able to hike with my daughter in the iconic public lands that are protected under this bill.

Ultimately, this bill is about ensuring that we protect our most pristine and treasured places for generations long after we are gone. That is the essence of our service: leaving a better world for those who come next.

As Teddy Roosevelt once said: ``Here is your country. Cherish these national wonders, cherish the natural resources, cherish the history and the romance as a sacred heritage, for your children and your children's children. Do not let selfish men or greedy interests skin your country of its beauty, its riches, or its romance.''

At the end of the day, we have an obligation to protect these public lands, which is why I am so honored to lead this bill. And I will just say that we have worked incredibly hard to make this bill something that our State can be proud of.

I am proud that the House has voted to accept two of my colleagues' amendments, because in Colorado we get things done by collaboration and consensus.

I am proud that every local jurisdiction impacted by a title of this bill supports those very same titles--Republican and Democrat.

I am proud that this bill has bipartisan support back in the State of Colorado.

It is unfortunate that this motion to recommit is not about any of those things: It is not about improving the bill; it is not about reaching consensus. It is purely political, and here is why.

Just a few moments ago, over 400 Members in this Chamber voted in favor of an amendment offered by my distinguished colleague from Colorado (Mr. Crow), who bravely served in our Armed Forces--fought for our country in Afghanistan and Iraq--and he offered an amendment to stress the importance of Colorado's Army National Guard High Altitude Aviation Training Site.

That measure passed unanimously--or almost unanimously; I guess seven or eight folks voted against it--because they recognized that the HAATS program is something we must protect.

But the truth of the matter is this bill already addresses the concerns offered by my colleague.

I will quote from the bill on page 37, subparagraph (f): ``Military Overflights. Nothing in this title or an amendment made by this title restricts or precludes any low-level overflight of military aircraft over any area subject to this title or an amendment made by this title. . . .''

I could go on, but you also are going to have to take my word for it.

I have a letter from the Colorado National Guard. As my colleague, Mr. Crow, said yesterday during floor debate, we ought to listen to our troops, to our commanders and what they have told us:

It is through the diligent efforts of staff within the Department, the offices of the bill sponsors, and the Department of Defense we have mitigated prior concerns related to military overflight over the potential wilderness areas identified in this bill, and I appreciate the efforts of Congressman Neguse and yourself.

The letter from the Colorado National Guard concludes by thanking the delegation for their effort to preserve Colorado's natural beauty and looking forward to the passage of this important legislation. Those are not my words, those are the words of the Colorado National Guard.

It is important for us not to lose sight of the bigger picture. The CORE Act presents an opportunity for us to come together to show that we can still govern on issues that are so important to all of our constituents.

While I may be new to Congress, Mr. Speaker, the components of this bill that we are slated to vote on in just a few short minutes are not new to this Congress:

Title I of this bill has been introduced for five straight Congresses;

Title II of this bill dates back to 2009;

Local advocates have been asking for the withdrawal of the Thompson Divide since 2010;

Title IV of this bill was introduced in 2009.

Mr. Speaker, these bills have been around since George W. Bush was President. When those bills were being drafted, the Washington Nationals had not yet played their first game in Nationals Park.

Mr. Speaker, I would ask that we all vote against this motion to recommit and support our public lands.

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