A bill to redesignate the White Rocks National Recreation Area in the State of Vermont as the "Robert T. Stafford White Rocks National Recreation Area".

Mr. President, I join my colleague from Vermont, Senator Leahy, in seeking to rename the White Rocks National Recreation Area in the Green Mountain National Forest of Vermont in honor of our great friend, and my mentor and predecessor, Robert T. Stafford.

Twenty-two years ago, Senator Stafford introduced the Vermont Wilderness Act of 1984 on behalf of himself and Senator Leahy. Senator Stafford said at that time, ``It is our intention to present this legislation to Vermonters and seek their comments . . . I am willing to listen to the voices of other Vermonters before a decision is made.'' And listen he did.

Senator Stafford then led Senator Leahy and me back home to Vermont to hear from hundreds of our constituents. Their input changed the bill, and the result was the creation of the White Rocks National Recreation Area.

This magnificent, 36,000-acre recreation area exists because of Senator Stafford's insistence upon listening to Vermonters and seeing their views embodied in the law.

Senator Stafford's public service spanned four decades, and included six years as chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. Throughout his career, he proved himself a true steward of our environment. As he approached his retirement at the end of the 100th Congress, Senator Stafford gave a series of floor statements describing the environmental threats that faced our Nation.

On September 12, 1988, he said, ``We humans have degraded the environment of our world, and now we must set ourselves on the path of reversing that course. It will not be an easy task to accomplish, but it is a necessary one . . . If only we can recognize this circumstance for what it is--an opportunity to redirect ourselves toward a brighter future--then setting ourselves to the task ahead will not be a burden, but a joy.''

That was 18 years ago, and unfortunately, those threats remain very much with us today. But it is my hope that the White Rocks recreation area, which Senator Stafford can look out upon from his home in Rutland, Vermont, will be a constant reminder of Senator Stafford's devotion to Vermont and his devotion to our environment.

No monument or statement or park renaming can do justice to the unparalleled contributions Senator Stafford has made to both Vermont and this Nation. Senator Stafford has been one of the most devoted, capable and complished public servants the Senate has ever known. That said, naming the White Rocks area after Senator Stafford is as fitting a tribute as I can imagine.

Just as the Wilderness Act of 1984 named the George Aiken Wilderness Area in honor of that great Vermont Senator, we seek to bestow the same honor upon Senator Stafford with the naming of the Robert T. Stafford White Rocks National Recreation Area.

Mr. President, I am pleased the Senate has agreed to unanimously approve this legislation to rename the White Rocks National Recreation Area in the Green Mountain National Forest as the Robert T. Stafford White Rocks National Recreation Area. Along with Senator Jeffords, I introduced this legislation as what we believed is a fitting tribute to our friend and former colleague, Senator Robert Stafford.

Bob Stafford is an absolute giant in Vermont politics. He spent almost 30 years representing our great State first in the U.S. House of Representatives and then in the United States Senate. Prior to his arrival in Washington in the early 1960s, he served his fellow Vermonters closer to home holding a number of prominent State positions. He served as Rutland County prosecuting attorney, as Rutland County State's Attorney, as deputy State attorney general, and finally as our State's attorney general. From 1957-1959 Bob Stafford held the post of lieutenant governor, and in 1959 he went on to become Governor.

In 1960, Bob Stafford was elected to Vermont's sole seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. He won five successive reelections. In September 1971, he resigned his House seat to accept appointment to the U.S. Senate following the death of Senator Winston Prouty. After winning a special election in January 1972, Bob proceeded to represent Vermont in the Senate during the next 17 years. I had the distinct privilege of

serving with him during all but two of those years. During his Senate service Bob Stafford became a national figure of stature, of vision and of courage in his leadership especially on environmental and education policy issues and legislation. His legacy endures in his many legislative achievements.

To honor our friend, Senator Jeffords and I introduced this legislation to name the White Rocks National Recreation Area in the Green Mountain National Forest as the ``Robert T. Stafford White Rocks National Recreation Area.'' White Rocks is among his most beloved natural areas in Vermont, and Bob Stafford protected more land in our State than anyone who came before him. I know he and Helen could actually see the towering white cliff face of White Rocks Mountain from their home. By passing this legislation, the Senate honors our former colleague and our friend.

I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of S. 2447 introduced earlier today.

I ask unanimous consent that the bill be read three times, passed, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, and any statements relating thereto be printed in the Record.