Congratulating and saluting the Hawk Mountain Sanctuary for celebrating its 75th anniversary, commending the Hawk Mountain Sanctuary for its contributions to the preservation of wildlife and the native ecology of the Appalachian Mountains and eastern Pennsylvania, and commending the Hawk Mountain Sanctuary for its dedication to educating the public and the international community about wildlife conservation.

I would like to thank those supporting this legislation today.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of this resolution, which I introduced with my colleague from Pennsylvania, Tim Holden.

This fall, Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, located in beautiful Berks County, Pennsylvania, is celebrating its 75th anniversary. Located at the boundary of three counties--Berks, Schuylkill and Lehigh--and as the world's first refuge for birds of prey, Hawk Mountain has an extremely rich history in eastern Pennsylvania and has become one of the preeminent wildlife sanctuaries in the United States.

In 1934, noted wildlife conservationist Rosalie Edge was drawn to Hawk Mountain after learning large numbers of hawks were being killed as they migrated along the Appalachian Mountains' Kittatinny Ridge. After this initial visit, Edge leased 1,400 acres of the ridge for a mere $500 and opened it to the public as a place for local residents to view birds of prey in their natural habitat. Later, the property was deeded to the Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Association, which oversaw the preservation of the land and protection of its wildlife.

Since its modest beginnings in the 1930s, Hawk Mountain has remained a year-round wildlife sanctuary that introduces students and visitors to the natural beauty of the Appalachian Mountains and the many birds of prey that call the range home. Today, 16 full-time employees and a volunteer workforce of over 200 dedicated members help educate thousands of visitors each year about the value of preserving the native ecology of eastern Pennsylvania.

With the goal of providing a unique and engaging educational experience for its visitors, Hawk Mountain offers weekend programs for local residents, guided programs for students and groups, and fully accredited college-level courses in cooperation with Cedar Crest College located in my congressional district.

In addition to educating the public, the employees and volunteers at Hawk Mountain have contributed greatly to the development of effective conservation practices that help preserve vital ecosystems throughout the world. The sanctuary staff works with world-class raptor scientists, conservationists, graduate students, and international interns to collect and analyze important information as well as formulate and test new conservation strategies.

The natural beauty and value of Hawk Mountain and the achievements of the sanctuary's devoted staff have not gone unnoticed over the years. In 1965, Hawk Mountain was designated a Registered National Natural Landmark by the U.S. Department of Interior, ranking it as one of the best examples of biological and geological features in America. Over 20 years later, the sanctuary received the prestigious Chevron Conservation Award, North America's oldest private conservation honor, which recognizes significant contributions to the preservation of natural resources in the United States.

Mr. Speaker, today's consideration of the resolution couldn't come at a more appropriate time. During the autumn months, visitors to Hawk Mountain have the unique opportunity to view numerous raptors of various species participate in their yearly migration through Pennsylvania. Currently, the sanctuary is in the midst of its annual Hawk Watch, which runs from August 15 to December 15. In this period, the sanctuary records the number of raptors migrating past its scenic north lookout. Yesterday, visitors spotted over 600 hawks of varying species, 26 ospreys, four bald eagles, and a single falcon in the skies over Berks County. Clearly, Hawk Mountain provides a remarkable chance for bird enthusiasts and novices alike to view the migration of critical and sometimes rare bird species.

Mr. Speaker, I commend Hawk Mountain Sanctuary for its contributions to the preservation of wildlife, especially birds of prey, as well as the native ecology of the Appalachian Mountains and eastern Pennsylvania. I also applaud the sanctuary for its dedication to educating the American public and international community about wildlife conservation. In fact, a celebration of Hawk Mountain's 75th anniversary just occurred a week ago on Saturday, September 12. It was a joyous occasion for all who attended. I know I enjoyed it thoroughly, as did many hundreds of others who came to celebrate time at Hawk Mountain.

Finally, I would encourage my colleagues to join me in officially congratulating and saluting Hawk Mountain on its 75th anniversary and wish the sanctuary and its staff many, many more years of achievement. And I wish the visitors all happy and engaging times there.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 670) congratulating and saluting the Hawk Mountain Sanctuary for celebrating its 75th anniversary, commending the Hawk Mountain Sanctuary for its contributions to the preservation of wildlife and the native ecology of the Appalachian Mountains and eastern Pennsylvania, and commending the Hawk Mountain Sanctuary for its dedication to educating the public and the international community about wildlife conservation.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, this year marks the 75th anniversary of the Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, a critical wildlife sanctuary, a research area, and environmental education center. Established in 1934 as the first refuge for birds of prey in the world, the sanctuary, which is located in eastern Pennsylvania, provides a rest area for over 12,000 raptors every year during their migrations. It also attracts scientists and students to explore new conservation strategies for birds of prey. The sanctuary's 2,600 acres also provides year-round public access to pristine woodland trails, overlooks,

and education programs that give students an up close and personal view of these majestic birds.

I commend Congressman Dent from Pennsylvania for introducing this resolution, and I urge its passage.

With that, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I again urge Members to support this bill.

I want to thank my colleague from Utah (Mr. Chaffetz) for managing the bills on the floor today with me.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 670, congratulating and saluting the Hawk Mountain Sanctuary for celebrating its 75th anniversary, commending the Hawk Mountain Sanctuary for its contributions to the preservation of wildlife and the native ecology of the Appalachian Mountains and eastern Pennsylvania, and commending the Hawk Mountain Sanctuary for its dedication to educating the public and the international community about wildlife conservation.

Hawk Mountain Sanctuary is a wild bird sanctuary near Kempton, Pennsylvania, in my district. Hawk Mountain is located along the Appalachian flyway, which is one of several very important flyways located in the U.S. It has been called the ``center of the universe'' for hawk watchers along the Appalachian flyway, bringing an average of 20,000 hawks, eagles, and falcons past the lookouts during late summer and fall every year.

Visitors to the sanctuary, who number about 60,000 annually, learn about conservation of the raptor population. Hawk Mountain Sanctuary is the world's oldest wildlife sanctuary exclusively committed to the protection and observation of birds of prey. The sanctuary's annual count of hawks, eagles and falcons, which is the world's longest record of raptor populations, provides valuable information on changes in raptor numbers in northeastern North America.

Hawk Mountain Sanctuary plays an important role in conserving birds of prey worldwide, providing leadership in raptor conservation science and education, and maintaining a model observation, research and education facility. Therefore, I am pleased to honor the 75th anniversary of Hawk Mountain Sanctuary.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 670 would congratulate the Hawk Mountain Sanctuary on the 75th anniversary of its establishment as the world's first refuge for birds of prey.

From its humble beginnings in 1934 when Miss Rosalie Edge deeded 1,400 acres to the private nonprofit Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Association, more than 60,000 people visit this sanctuary each year to enjoy the majestic flights of more than 12,000 eagles, falcons and hawks that live there.

This resolution also commends the sanctuary for its dedication to the conservation of wildlife and for its efforts to educate the public and the international community on the vital role that birds of prey play in the ecosystems throughout the world.

I would like to compliment Congressman Charlie Dent of Allentown, Pennsylvania, for his outstanding leadership in proposing this legislation. I am happy to join with him in congratulating the Hawk Mountain Sanctuary on its 75th birthday.

I urge an ``aye'' vote, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Dent).

Mr. Speaker, with no additional speakers, I yield back the balance of my time.