Sunday, April 19, 2009
While political parties continue to battle on the national stage, two politicians representing local interests set their differences aside Saturday to show their shared support for the Waco Mammoth Site.
U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, and U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards, D-Waco, met at Baylor University’s Mayborn Museum to formally announce the federal legislation that could make the Waco Mammoth Site a national monument in the national park system.
The legislators gathered with Waco Mayor Virginia DuPuy beneath the intimidating visage of a life-size Columbian mammoth, part of a mural depicting mammoths roaming the Brazos River corridor as it existed 68,000 years ago. DuPuy and Edwards indicated the legislation is progressing and said Waco City Manager Larry Groth will testify before the U.S. House next week on the Waco Mammoth Site legislation.
The politicians stressed the teamwork that has gone into championing the Mammoth Site, between Waco and Baylor officials, Republicans and Democrats, the House and Senate.
“This is the best evidence that Republicans and Democrats could come together, in support of a woolly bull mammoth,” Cornyn said to chuckles from his audience.
Edwards, who has been out to the actual mammoth site, applauded Cornyn’s “commitment with a capital C” for braving tornado warnings to make the stormy trip up from Austin on Saturday morning.
The Waco Mammoth Site, which was discovered in 1978, contains the largest known concentration of prehistoric mammoths that died from a single cause. The site was largely under wraps for decades, but now the site is under construction to make it eventually open to the public.
DuPuy reiterated that the site will be an educational, cultural and economic boon for the area.
Edwards joked that the Mammoth Site could set a record for slow-moving government projects.
“This project has been 68,000 years in the making,” he said. “The good news is, we’re getting close.”
wgragg@wacotrib.com
757-6901
Comments
By Opus Meo
Apr 19, 2009 3:11 PM | Link to this
JC Hedj
Does it FEEL GOOD to be that bitter? Does it FEEL GOOD to be this useless?
By Thomas Lopez, Jr
Apr 19, 2009 2:48 PM | Link to this
This is not a feel good project. The increased tourism and recognition will lead to increased economic activity in the area.
By Waco native
Apr 19, 2009 2:47 PM | Link to this
When I first heard about the mammoth site some 30 years ago and it was turned over to Baylor, I wondered if myself and other ordinary citizens would live long enough to actually have the opportunity to view that part of our local history. I'm still waiting for that opportunity but it doesn't seem any closer than 30 years ago.
By John
Apr 19, 2009 12:11 PM | Link to this
Preserving our history is and always will be a place to spend tax dollars. Fortunately, this particular project has been funded so far by private dollars. But I'm sure a little support from the government is needed to preserve it for another 68,000 years.
By JC Hedj
Apr 19, 2009 8:43 AM | Link to this
OH yeah this is really and truly " TAX PAYER " important.
Digging up old bones with TAX PAYER MOENY !
Question posed to all 3 politicians Edwards,Cornyn and DuPuy ; Why not find out who got the bailout money , where it was spent and when will it be paid back ?
Do all these FEEL GOOD projects at your own out of pocket expense and stay out of ours.
How important has being useless become in this society ?
Commenting is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. M-F, except on Tuesday when it's open until 9 p.m.
Post a comment
*HTML not allowed in comments. Your e-mail address is required.