Land and Conservation Bills: H.R. 807

STATEMENT OF KATHERINE H. STEVENSON,

ACTING ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, BUSINESS SERVICES, NATIONAL PARK SERVICE,

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,

BEFORE THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON NATIONAL PARKS, FORESTS AND PUBLIC LANDS,

COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES,

CONCERNING H. RES. 807 HONORING THE LIFE OF

MARJORY STONEMAN DOUGLAS,

CHAMPION OF THE FLORIDA EVERGLADES

AND FOUNDER OF FLORIDA'S ENVIRONMENTAL MOVEMENT.

MARCH 6, 2008

Mr. Chairman and members of the subcommittee, thank you for the opportunity to present the views of the Department of the Interior on H. Res. 807, a resolution honoring the life of Marjory Stoneman Douglas, champion of the Florida Everglades and founder of Florida's environmental movement.

The Department has no position on H. Res. 807, since this resolution expresses the views of the House of Representatives and will not be enacted into law. We acknowledge the significant role Marjory Stoneman Douglas played in advocating for the protection of the natural and cultural values of the Everglades Region, which lead to the establishment of Everglades National Park, the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States. Everglades National Park protects an area with a mosaic of habitats which support an assemblage of plants and animals found nowhere else on the planet.

Marjory Stoneman Douglas was a key figure who influenced National Park Service history through leadership, understanding and environmental advocacy. She authored The Everglades: River of Grass and founded Friends of the Everglades. These serve as testaments to her commitment for greater public awareness and understanding of the challenges society faces in protecting the Everglades ecosystem, which transcends political boundaries, and is a unique and critical resource to both local and international peoples. Peoples of the world recognize and affirm the significance of her pioneering environmental actions; these actions subsequently led to Everglades National Park being designated as an International Biosphere Reserve, a World Heritage Site and Wetland of International Importance.

That concludes my testimony, I would be glad to answer any questions that you or other members of the subcommittee may have.

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