Miracle Mountain Designation Act

Floor Speech

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 722, the Miracle Mountain Designation Act. This bill would designate a mountain near Elk Ridge, Utah, as Miracle Mountain to recognize the providential events that took place in early September 2018 during the Pole Creek and Bald Mountain fires.

These massive wildfires burned roughly 120,000 acres in Utah. The fires and their smoke were visible to the majority of Utah's residents in the greater Salt Lake City area.

Two northern Utah cities located in Congressman Curtis' district, Elk Ridge and Woodland Hills, narrowly escaped these fires barreling towards their communities. Evacuations were ordered for these communities, and families were forced to abandon their homes and pray for the best. Swift winds and severe drought conditions fueled the fire which was on a direct path towards these small towns.

On September 13, a miracle happened. As the fire reached the base of a lone mountain standing between the fire and Elk Ridge, the winds inexplicably shifted, and the fires were thrown off their deadly path. These communities were miraculously spared.

Since the fire, the unnamed peak has been referred to as Miracle Mountain by many Utahns.

Two weeks ago, Elk Ridge Mayor Ty Ellis testified before the Natural Resources Committee about the miracle he had witnessed. At the hearing, Mayor Ellis stated: ``As I drove towards that mountain, I said to myself, it truly is a miracle that that mountain remains green, and behind it is nothing but ash.''

Mayor Ellis reached out to Congressman Curtis soon after the fire had been contained to see if the peak could be named ``Miracle Mountain.''

We are all grateful to the courageous Federal, State, and local firefighters who worked tirelessly to battle the blaze.

Naming the peak Miracle Mountain is a fitting acknowledgement of divine intervention and a gesture of gratitude to all those who came together to save these towns and help those who were forced to evacuate.

Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of this measure, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I have one speaker.

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Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

The yeas and nays were ordered.

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