Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  June 14, 2011

CONTACT:   Hannah Loy 202-225-2315

Congressman Gosar and Local Leaders Call for Swift Action on Gosar Jobs Bill  

Today’s Hearing is the First Legislative Action in the House on the Land Exchange Since 2007

Today, the Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands held a hearing examining H.R. 1904, the Southeast Arizona Land Exchange and Conservation Act of 2011, a jobs bill introduced by U.S. Congressman Paul Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-01).   This bill, if enacted into law, will generate thousands of jobs in Arizona and generate billions in tax revenue.   The House leadership is fast tracking this jobs bill and put it on the Natural Resources hearing schedule promptly.

At the hearing, Congressman Gosar highlighted the vital role this legislation will play in revitalizing the economy in Arizona’s First Congressional District and the growing demand for copper in the United States. 

“Copper is still king.  Many alternative energy methods require large amounts of copper, including electric cars and wind turbines.  Getting this mine into production, getting Arizonans employed, and moving our economy forward is my biggest priority.”

Congressman Gosar’s full opening statement can be found here.

At today’s hearings, local leaders testified on the importance of swift action on H.R. 1904 to the economy. 

Bryan Martyn. - Vice Chairman of the Pinal County Board of Supervisors

Mr. Chairman, we cannot ignore the massive economic benefits this project will bring.  Pinal County and Arizona have a potential windfall in our backyard that will offer much needed job and economic opportunities.  Pinal County currently has a nearly 15 percent unemployment rate.  The unemployment rate on our Indian reservations is more than triple that number.  We desperately need jobs.  The Resolution Copper project will put over 1,400 people into high-paying jobs. These jobs have the potential to create more than $40 billion in economic activity.  

Michael O. Hing – Mayor of the Town of Superior, Arizona

I believe Congress has an excellent opportunity to provide an ideal balance between the expansion of jobs, local and state revenues, and diverse economic activity while conserving ecologically sensitive and pristine lands for future generations.Unlike other economic stimulus plans, this legislation comes without a handout. I submit to you my sincere hope that this legislation can be swiftly approved so that the remarkable economic impacts of this exchange can begin to be fully implemented and realized as soon as humanly possible. We cannot afford to wait any longer. Our economic future is at stake.

Harrison Talgo – Former Tribal Chairman of San Carlos Apache Nation and resident of Bylas

The issue today is not about our reservation land, our sovereignty, our heritage, our self respect – these are not for sale. This is about putting our people – a lot of people – to work. I believe economic development should be our leadership’s top priority. I have previously testified before Congress in support of economic development projects. I have done so in the face of opposition from other leaders who have opposed these same opportunities on and near the reservation. Some of those projects experienced costly delays as a result of the Council’s opposition, but they all were built eventually. And they have all hired Apaches.

H.R. 1904, the Southeast Arizona Land Exchange and Conservation Act of 2011, is legislation geared towards revitalizing the economy of Southeast Arizona and preserving and protecting Arizona’s natural treasures.  Specifically, the legislation authorizes a land exchange near Superior, Arizona located in Pinal County, opening up the third largest undeveloped copper resource in the world. 

Arizona Congressmen Franks, Flake, Quayle and Schweikert all support H.R. 1904.  In addition, National Parks, Forests and Public Lands Subcommittee Chairman Rob Bishop, House Manufacturing Caucus Co-Chair Don Manzullo, Western Caucus Policy Chair Cynthia Lummis, and Congressmen Scott Tipton and Jason Chaffetz are listed as cosponsors. 

Although legislation regarding this matter has been introduced by members in the past, today’s hearing was the first in the House of Representatives since November of 2007. H.R. 1904 will next be scheduled for mark-up before the full House Natural Resources Committee.

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