To name the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Visitor Contact Station of the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge unit of Gateway National Recreation Area in honor of James L. Buckley.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 5958, which recognizes Senator James L. Buckley for his service to our country and for his efforts to create the Gateway National Recreation Center in New York and New Jersey by renaming the visitors' center in Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge of the Gateway National Recreation Area in his honor.

Senator James L. Buckley has been a true public servant, who served at the highest levels of all three branches of government as well as in the United States Navy during World War II. Along with his fellow New York Senator, Jacob Javits, Senator Buckley had the vision to create a national wildlife refuge center in an urban area, accessible to millions of people in New York City as well as to millions of other residents in the metropolitan area.

In 1970, during his first days in the Senate, Buckley joined Senator Javits

in introducing legislation to create Gateway, a more than 26,000-acre area spanning three boroughs and stretching all the way to Sandy Hook, New Jersey. This year, as it celebrates its 40th anniversary, Gateway welcomes more than 8 million visitors annually.

From the historic aircraft at hangar B in Floyd Bennett Field to America's oldest lighthouse that was established in 1767 in Sandy Hook, New Jersey, Gateway offers a unique piece of history for its visitors. Gateway National Park has also provided ornithologists--birders and birdwatchers--like Senator Buckley and myself, a glimpse of the more than 325 species of birds that stop over as part of the Atlantic Flyway, which stretches from the north of Canada to the Caribbean.

Senator Buckley's environmental interests were not limited to New York. He cosponsored the 1972 Clean Water Act, which is the seminal law governing water pollution and contamination. He also cosponsored the Grand Canyon National Park Enlargement Act, which protected the majesty of one of our Nation's greatest national habitats.

Senator Buckley was also prescient and eloquent by pointing out how technology and the environment can evolve together. He stressed that we can concentrate on developing environmental programs at achievable rates and costs. He said, ``We must learn how modern technology can coexist with the natural world.''

So I hope you will join me in honoring someone who has served to protect his State, his country, and the environment. Passing H.R. 5958 would be a fitting tribute to a man who spent most of his life sharing his intellect and talent in the service of others.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5958) to name the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Visitor Contact Station of the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge unit of Gateway National Recreation Area in honor of James L. Buckley.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and add extraneous material to the bill under consideration.

I yield myself as much time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 5958 was introduced by our colleague from New York (Mr. Turner) to honor Senator James L. Buckley for his many contributions to America and to the State of New York. The bill recognizes, in particular, his role in establishing the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge and the Gateway National Recreation Area. Senator Buckley was the sponsor of the legislation that created the park and, obviously, participated in the floor debate in the Senate.

Even before his historic election to the Senate as the candidate of the New York Conservative Party, Senator Buckley spoke out in favor of protecting this natural area in the shadow of New York City and from its use as an airport extension.

Senator Buckley is one of the few Americans to have served in the top levels of all three branches of the U.S. Government. In addition to his election to the Senate seat once held by Robert Kennedy, Buckley served as Under Secretary of State, President of Radio Free Europe and Radio Liberty, and judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, generally held to be the second-highest court in our judicial system.

Naming the visitors' center and the wildlife refuge after Senator Buckley is a particularly fitting tribute, and he is a lifelong naturalist and birder. This is good legislation.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to yield 4 minutes to the author of this legislation, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Turner).

This is a good piece of legislation, Mr. Speaker. I urge its adoption.

I yield back the balance of my time.

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

(Mr. SABLAN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

H.R. 5958 renames the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Visitor Contact Station to the James L. Buckley Visitor Contact Station. We do not object to this legislation.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time. If the gentleman has no further speakers, I yield back the balance of my time.