237 



I think the champions of the tortoise grossly underestimate the 

 adaptabiUty of the tortoise and its intelligence and ability to sur- 

 vive. 



Do you realize that only 2 percent of the endangered and extinct 

 animals became so in the last few thousand years? The other 98 

 percent became extinct before man was on earth. 



Aerojet will protect and preserve the wildlife while enhancing 

 their environment. In rural Nevada the small town, isolated from 

 the mainstream U.S., faces a slow and sure extinction. 



It would be a terrible loss to Americana if all rural American 

 fades to ghost towns because human quality of life took a back seat 

 to reptile lifestyle. 



We are forced to raise our children to look to the city for employ- 

 ment because at present no jobs with a future exist. Our unemploy- 

 ment rate looks deceptively low because when a person loses their 

 job they move. 



They nothing exists to replace the lost jobs. Lincoln County lost 

 318 residents last year. This is a population of 4,000 people. Busi- 

 ness licenses in one town are down over 30 percent this year. 



Our own state legislature denied us one safe clean industry this 

 year. I hope my Congress will not deny us Aerojet as well. We are 

 proud. We want to help ourselves by economic diversification. But 

 we need your help. 



I strongly urge you to pass the Aerojet land exchange. The addi- 

 tion to our tax base alone could help relieve the severe budget defi- 

 cit in our local government and open the doors to a strong econo- 

 my. 



Thank you. 



[The prepared statement of Ms. Wadsworth follows:] 



