Turner Introduces H.R. 5958 In House To Honor Buckley

Reps King and Grimm Sign On As Co-Sponsors

New York – Congressman Bob Turner (NY-09) has introduced HR 5958, To name the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Visitor Contact Station of the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge unit of Gateway National Recreation Area in honor of James L. Buckley.

Senator Buckley was committed to public service and served his country at the highest levels in all 3 branches of government, as well as the United States Navy.  Though known as a strong fiscal conservative, he also had a strong environmental record. That record included his central role in the creation of the Gateway National Recreation Area - a more than 26,000 acre area spanning three boroughs and stretching all the way to Sandy Hook, New Jersey.

“Senator Buckley was a proud American and a true public servant. He served New York State and the United States in all three branches of government and in the United States Navy. He was an avid bird watcher and, along with fellow New York Senator Jacob Javits, introduced the legislation to create the Gateway National Recreation Area which houses the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. There is no more fitting way to honor a man who served our state and our country with honor and pride than by affixing his name to a cause he loved at a park he helped create.”

Fellow New York Representatives Peter King (NY-03) and Michael Grimm (NY-13) have signed on as original co-sponsors of the bill echoing Congressman Turner’s sentiments.

“Jim Buckley was an outstanding Senator and a leading environmentalist. This legislation is a most fitting tribute to his legacy in public life,” Congressman King said.

Senator Buckley helped provide not only a rest area for the birds, but a perch for his fellow bird watchers. Senator Buckley’s environmental interests were not only limited to New York.  He co-sponsored the 1972 Clean Water Act, the seminal law governing water pollution and contamination.  He also cosponsored the Grand Canyon National Park Enlargement Act, which the National Park Service states, “established that where impacts from aviation occur, natural quiet should be protected as both a resource and a value in the park,” protecting the majesty of one of country greatest natural habitats.  

“James Buckley served our country as a true American conservative and has had a distinguished career as a U.S. Senator, an undersecretary in the Reagan administration, a judge, and a Navy lieutenant,” said Congressman Grimm. “As a committed wildlife protectionist, he was a driving force in the creation of Gateway National Recreation Area and within it, a rest area for birds to stop in a safe and protected NYC habitat during migration.  I share Senator Buckley’s conservative values along with his desire to protect our nation’s wildlife, which is why I proudly support naming the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center the ‘James L. Buckley Visitor Center.’”

Congressman Turner’s introduction of the bill comes on the heels of his attendance at the rededication of the visitor center at Floyd Bennett Field – also within the confines of the Gateway National Recreation Area –named for former New York Congressman William Fitts Ryan who helped push for what became the Gateway National Recreation Area.  Turner sees his bill as a continuation of honoring elected officials who worked to create the Refuge.

The bill has been referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources for consideration.

Congressman Bob Turner represents New York’s 9th Congressional district and serves on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, and House Committee on Homeland Security.
 

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