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Statement on passage of Arabia Mountain Heritage Act |
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July 24, 2006 |
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(Washington, DC) - I would like to take this opportunity to thank the members of the House and the Senate for passing legislation that included language authorizing the Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area in my district. This is a boon to the community that seeks to preserve pristine areas everywhere. But for such an area to be in the middle of a bustling African-American community is especially rare. We need green space in South Dekalb and this will go a very long way toward realizing a community dream. Initially our thought was to have the funding go to the county or the state and that was reflected in one version of the bill. However, the House Resources Committee adopted a private-public partnership approach. Good stewardship of taxpayer dollars is extremely important and I want to work closely with the private entity to make sure that the community and its concerns always come first. I look forward to walking the nature trails--in both Dekalb and Rockdale Counties--that will be possible by the action today. I would like to thank the Georgia Department of Natural Resources that lent support to this very important bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I yield back the balance of my time. |
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