Colorado Outdoor Recreation and Economy Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. BROWN of Maryland. Mr. Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I want to start by recognizing the hard work of Chairman Grijalva, and perhaps even more important, Congressman Neguse, my good friend, for his work on the underlying bill and the amount of time, energy, passion, and commitment that he devotes to the conservation and, yes, the preservation of Colorado's public lands. They are, in fact, iconic features of our American landscape and crucial engines for its recreational industry and State economy.

It is our duty to protect these treasured lands and to be responsible stewards so that future generations can enjoy them as much as we do today. We recognize how irreplaceable and rich these lands are, not simply for the value they bring to our country's vast ecological diversity but, also, for their contribution to our Nation's history.

One such area is Camp Hale. Decades ago, Camp Hale served as a base for our servicemembers to train in mountain warfare.

I am sure the Chair is excited to know that the training campground gave us the 10th Mountain Division, the famed and heroic mountain fighters, who, through their dedication, service, and sacrifice, helped our country achieve victory in World War II. And, upon returning home, it was these veterans who drew upon their training and experiences to help build Colorado's flourishing outdoor industry.

The legislation recognizes the significance of Camp Hale and, as such, designated it as a National Historic Landscape, the first such designation of its kind.

Yet, to fully honor Camp Hale's legacy, we should take every measure to ensure today's veterans are provided the opportunity to actively participate in the stewardship of this unique landscape.

As I sit here today in the Chamber, I hear a call, a loud call, for a bipartisan amendment that everybody can get their arms around, so, Mr. Chair, I offer mine.

My amendment strengthens the underlying legislation by including veteran outreach and engagement activities as part of the management plan for Camp Hale.

Public lands are important vehicles to connect veterans to our national heritage and history. Many initiatives and programs have demonstrated the unique opportunities that the outdoors offer veterans to reconnect, recover, and heal after they return from the battlefield.

We should ensure today's veterans are a part of the management of Camp Hale. By doing so, we honor not only the legacy of Camp Hale and the servicemembers who trained there but, also, those who continue to serve this country today.

While I am not from Colorado, I recognize that veterans across the country will flock to this wonderful, historic-designated area and engage in the activities and the outreach for veterans.

Mr. Chair, I encourage my colleagues to support this amendment and the underlying bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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