Mr. Speaker, it has been 40 years since Congress passed the 1964 National Wilderness Act, which has allowed parts of public land to be protected by law for future generations.

It might surprise some to know that this groundbreaking act of legislation was derived in part from the work of a New York City resident, David McClure, who chaired the Committee on Forest Preservation at the state constitutional convention in Albany in 1894.

McClure helped draft an article, which ensured that certain state land would remain ``forever wild.'' Those words, adopted by the convention and later approved by the voters, have never been altered and remain in effect for the 3-million acre New York State forest preserve in the Adirondack and Catskill parks. This visionary accomplishment was the inspiration for those who drafted the 1964 Wilderness Act.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to insert into the RECORD a New York City Proclamation honoring the 40th Anniversary of the Wilderness Act and designating September 2004, in New York City, as National Wilderness Act Month.

PROCLAMATION:
Whereas: While we thrive in a concrete jungle, New Yorkers are not blind to the necessity of forest preservation. In fact, our urban sensibility allows us a special appreciation for green spaces and wilderness.

Whereas: It has been forty years since Congress passed the 1964 National Wilderness Act, which has allowed a small percentage of the nation's public lands to be protected by law for future generations. It might surprise some to know that this groundbreaking act of legislation was derived in part from the work of a New York City resident, David McClure, who chaired the Committee on Forest Preservation at the State Constitutional Convention in Albany in 1894. He helped draft an article that ensured that State land known as the Forest Preserve in the Adirondacks and Catskills would remain ``forever wild.'' Adopted by the convention and later approved by the voters, the words of Article 14, Section 1 of the State Constitution have never been altered, and remain in effect for the three million-acre New York State Forest Preserve in the Adirondack and Catskill Parks. This visionary accomplishment was the inspiration for those who drafted the 1964 Wilderness Act.

Whereas: Eleanor Roosevelt said, ``perhaps nature is our best assurance of immortality.'' As we celebrate the fortieth anniversary of this important act, New Yorkers are called upon to follow in the footsteps of Mr. McClure and become environmental stewards.