sources, from the region. There are provisions for payment to do 

 that, and there are provisions to establish a fund which will pro- 

 vide for job retraining and other economic measures to protect the 

 economic base of the region. 



We want to do that. We do not want to see a single job lost in 

 California. We think that the continued overuse and mismanage- 

 ment of this resource, in the long run will destroy the value of this 

 region as an economic base. We do not want to see that happen. 



You will hear other witnesses who will testify to the importance 

 of the fisheries resources and other resources which will be en- 

 hanced by what we propose to do with this legislation. 



With these few remarks, Mr. Chairman, I will conclude and, as 

 I said before, allow others who aire technically more qualified than 

 I am to comment on the details, but I wanted you to understand 

 my own deep, passionate, emotional commitment to the aim of this 

 legislation, and I urge on you, I beg of you, to assist us in perfect- 

 ing this bill so that it can achieve that purpose. 



[The prepared statement of Mr. Brown appears at the conclusion 

 of the hearing.] 



Mr. Rose. Thank you. Chairman Brown. 



Our next panelist is the Honorable William Thomas, Member of 

 Congress from the State of California. 



Mr. Thomas. 



STATEMENT OF HON. WILLIAM M. THOMAS, A REPRESENTA- 

 TIVE IN CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA 



Mr. Thomas of California. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I apologize 

 for not being here at the beginning. I am down at the Health Care 

 Subcommittee several floors below, and we continue to meet on the 

 question of health care. 



I would ask unanimous consent that my written testimony be 

 made a part of the record. 



Mr. Rose. Without objection. 



Mr. Thomas of California. I cannot match my friend and col- 

 league's 50 to 60 years of being familiar with the area. I can only 

 establish a 20- to 30-year record and perhaps place in front of you 

 some quality arguments, £ind that is, out of all of the areas that 

 a person can live in California, I chose this to be my home, to raise 

 my family, and in recent years, I have had the privilege of rep- 

 resenting the people who live in that area, as well. 



I would like to thank you for the opportunity to testify on the 

 bill. As you know, this would create a 400,000-plus acre giant se- 

 quoia preserve, and much of that preserve would be in the congres- 

 sional district that I represent. 



Let me state at the outset 



Mr. Rose. Let me interrupt you. What percent? 



Mr. Thomas of California. I cannot give you a percent off the top 

 of my head. 



Mr. Rose. Do you have a rough idea of the acreage? 



Mr. Thomas of California. Between Mr. Dooley, Mr. Lehman, and 

 myself, we represent 100 percent of it. 



Mr. Lehman. You and I, 100 percent of it. 



Mr. Dooley. Yes. I am in the valley. 



