WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Howard P. “Buck” McKeon (R-CA) spoke on the House Floor in defense of his appropriations request for $50,000 to help build the Museum proposed to honor the heritage of Mules in Bishop.
“One thing we forget is the people in Bishop pay taxes that come here to Washington. They pay federal taxes. And I guarantee you that over the last time that Jerry [Rep. Lewis (CA-41)] represented them and the time that I’ve had the opportunity to represent them, they have gotten very little back from the federal government of the taxes that they have sent here to Washington.
“Mules have been used to develop the West and the country all across the Country. They helped the pioneers. They could go 30 miles a day where wagon trains could only go about five. They are an integral part of the development of this country. Even today we have 600 mules on special assignments serving in Afghanistan, helping the army do the things they helped the army do 100 years ago. I think $50,000 is a good contribution to give to these people - the money that they have sent back here.
“Bishop is a classic western frontier city. It's been squeezed out of all other big industries by all of the other public lands that are owned around them, and they have to survive on tourism. So if they can add this museum it will help their tourism. It will help bring people there year round which will benefit the economy.
“Let me in closing say that this is a partnership. It's not just federal dollars, even though -- there is no such thing as federal dollars. It all comes out of our pockets, and the people in Bishop pay those federal dollars back here. But as I mentioned earlier, the city of Los Angeles is going to participate by donating the land that's worth $2 million. Inyo County will spend $1.5 million to work on the project, and the local people will help raise the difference.”
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