“The historic steps that have been taken in the past have included President Roosevelt’s creation of the National Wildlife Refuge System, and then in later years, John Kennedy as president having his vision for the land and water conservation fund.  Through those efforts over the history of America we have done a lot to protect and preserve what is best of the American outdoor spirit.  Today with the addition of these 26 million acres into a new system called the National Landscape Conservation System, we bring into the forefront of lands that have protected status those lands which are under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Land Management and the Department of Interior.  It’s a milestone for our department; it’s a milestone that I am very proud of.”