WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Congressman Bill Flores (R-TX) delivered the following remarks at today’s Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks Forests and Public Lands hearing on H.R. 1545, the Waco Mammoth National Monument Establishment Act of 2011:

 To watch the video, click here.

 Excerpts: “The National Park Service conducted a special resource study of the Waco Mammoth Site, first authorized in 2002 and completed in 2008. This study concluded that the site possesses nationally significant resources, is a suitable addition to the system and would be a feasible addition to the system.”

 “Currently the National Park Service has a $10 billion backlog. Given our current fiscal situation, H.R. 1545, has been drafted to provide the national recognition the site deserves without adding additional burdens to the federal budget or backlog to the NPS.”

 “I believe it is time to develop a new model to leverage the support of committed local citizens and supporters in order to protect, maintain and promote the assets of national significance, while at the same time avoiding additional strains on precious taxpayer resources.”  

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