0:29:25 to 0:29:45( Edit History Discussion )

Nick J. Rahall: agriculture and for other purposes. the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from west virginia, mr. rahall, and the gentleman from washington, mr. hastings, each will control 20 minutes. the chair recognizes the gentleman from west virginia. . mr. rahall: i ask unanimous consent that all members may

0:29:46 to 0:30:07( Edit History Discussion )

Nick J. Rahall: have five legislative days to revise and extend their remarks on the bill under consideration. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, so ordered. mr. rahall: mr. speaker, in a speech given in the fall of 1964 as the war in vietnam intensified president lyndon johnson quoted scripture from the book of matthew which says that the floods came, but the house did not fall because it

0:30:29 to 0:30:49( Edit History Discussion )

Nick J. Rahall: wars, the storm of economic collapse. but like president johnson, we remain convinced that no matter what adversity we may be facing, if we are faithful stewards of our land, our house will stand forever. the legislation before us today, s. 22, the omnibus public land management act of 2009 will keep america's land

0:31:11 to 0:31:32( Edit History Discussion )

Nick J. Rahall: legislation we will consider this year and perhaps this congress. some have argued and will argue today, no doubt, that the challenges we face mean that we should not spend time considering environmental legislation. they dismiss a package before us as feel-good legislation. well, i think the american

0:31:54 to 0:32:14( Edit History Discussion )

Nick J. Rahall: some headlines announcing tha our national parks are still beautiful, our national battlefields are still sacred and our rivers are still wild and scenic. when the headlines read that america he's -- america's status as a superpower is in doubt, they can read the

0:32:36 to 0:32:57( Edit History Discussion )

Nick J. Rahall: west virginia. it should be noted that we are amending s. 22 today to insert language making it absolutely clear that this bill will not, will not affect existing state authoritto regulate hunting, fishing and trapping on the lands in this package. the amendment also makes clear that nothing in s. 22 will

0:33:20 to 0:33:42( Edit History Discussion )

Nick J. Rahall: power of our wide-open spaces and magnificent vistas, the power of those magnificent vistas to inspire our generation and renew our spirit. it's that kind of inspiration and that kind of renewal that are always valuable. but when times are tough they are precious.