Testimony prepared (but not presented) for the hearing on the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument proposal - Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell and Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich presiding - January 24, 2014

When I was a rabbi in Topeka, Kansas, 10 years ago, I had the honor of taking part in festivities that were part of the dedication of the Brown v. Board National Park, which now includes a museum that tells the story of the move from segregation to integration in our nation’s schools.

  Here in southern New Mexico, it is the land that tells a story and is, in and of itself, a museum created by nature with many signs of those who have lived here before us.

   It is our responsibility and our task to protect the beautiful view we see every day and to preserve the history associated with our corner of the world. 

It is we who can assure that ancient drawings and modern landmarks remain untouched. 

   As a local clergy person and Board president of CAFé of Southern New Mexico, I wholeheartedly support the designation of the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument as a way of preserving and protecting our local environment, and engendering a sense of sanctity regarding the history of our region.