Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I appreciate your including S. 2129, a bill to authorize the purchase of an important addition to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, on today's business agenda.

S. 2129 will give the Park Service the authority to use appropriated funds to buy a 2000-acre tract of land on the southern boundaries of the park that has significant environmental, cultural, biological, and scenic resources. The bill will enable us to protect, preserve, and restore one of Hawaii's most remote wilderness areas.

The acquisition is necessary because the owner of the property has put it on the market and there is a significant danger that the land could be subject to commercial development that could destroy its intrinsic values.

The area is largely volcanic in nature. It is covered with lava flows and crisscrossed with ancient Hawaiian trails that lead to lava caves that were once used by Hawaiians as homes and religious sites. The parcel also comprises about two miles of pristine coastline. The area forms a natural continuation of wilderness lands within the park. In fact, the Park Service hopes to manage the area as wilderness and restore native plant and wildlife, including rare marine species, that once thrived in the area.

Earlier this month, the Park Service testified in support of the bill during a hearing of the Parks Subcommittee.

Thank you again for including S. 2129 on today's agenda, Mr. Chairman. I extend my appreciation to Senator Thomas and Senator Bumpers for their assistance in this matter as well.