Bear River National Heritage Area Study Act

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. MOORE of Utah. Madam Speaker, I thank the ranking member of the House Natural Resources Committee for his support of this legislation and also to my colleague from New Mexico, Representative Leger Fernandez, for her kind words of support and her support of the bill overall, as well as, most importantly, our committee staff. I thank them all very much.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 3616, the Bear River National Heritage Area Study Act, which would conduct a study to determine the area's suitability for a national heritage area designation. This would help local communities in the area protect important elements of their heritage and promote the area's tourism industry.

This important bill enjoys significant local support and, if enacted, would help the region better share its incredible history with the world.

The Bear River basin, which stretches through northern Utah and southeastern Idaho, played a key role in the settling, expansion, and development of the American West.

Native American Tribes, such as the Shoshone, called this area home because of its lush environment and favorable weather. Today, with the construction of the Boa Ogoi Cultural Interpretive Center in southeastern Idaho, these stories will soon be told like never before.

Eventually, explorers and adventures, fur trappers, and religious pioneers also settled in the area and began to build homes. The region's natural water supply makes it ideal for farming, and it quickly became home to thriving frontier towns. Generations of family farms in northern Utah and southeast Idaho can trace their origins to these early days.

Later, the driving of the golden spike at Promontory Summit marked the completion of the transcontinental railroad, an element of pride for the entire area. This pivotal moment launched our great Nation onto the global stage and into the modern world.

Today, this special place is home to thriving communities that support jobs in the tech, agriculture, education, manufacturing, service, and tourism industries.

As we look backwards to retell the history of this region, these industries are looking forward to writing the next chapter of the Bear River basin's story.

I am grateful for Chairman Grijalva, Ranking Member Westerman, Representative Leger Fernandez, and their fantastic staff for all their help on this effort.

Madam Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to join me in supporting the Bear River National Heritage Area Study Act.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source