Durbin Discusses Protecting National Parks and Monuments with Rep. Deb Haaland, Biden Nominee for Secretary of Interior
SPRINGFIELD – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with U.S. Representative Deb Haaland (D-NM-01), President-elect Joe Biden’s nominee for Secretary of Interior. During their Zoom call, Durbin and Haaland discussed the importance of restoring and protecting National Parks and Monuments, including Bears Ears and Grand Staircase Escalante Monuments, which were reduced by 85 percent by the Trump Administration. Durbin also spoke to Haaland about his bill that would protect the Cahokia Mounds, protecting the site of the 1908 Race Riot in Springfield, and ending oil and gas leases in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
“America is lucky to have such extraordinary National Parks and Monuments that are full of history, wonder, and recreation. We have come to recognize how amazing they truly are this past year with so many of us spending time outdoors, but also how fragile they can be when stewarded under the wrong kind of leadership,” Durbin said. “That is why President-elect Biden has chosen Rep. Haaland for this important role in his cabinet. Her historic nomination allows me to hope that we will once again protect our national treasures for future generations of Americans.”
A photo of Durbin’s Zoom call is available here.
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