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Show 2 DIXIE PROJECT, UTAH a Republican Member of the House, from Kansas, and we are also honored to have him here. Sitting with the committee at the end of the table, but without the privileges of the committee, is Representative Lloyd, of the Second District of Utah, who has come down here to demonstrate his support and his interest in this project. He has also introduced a bill similar to the one now before the committee. Next to Congressman Lloyd is our own beloved Gov. George D. Clyde who has been a champion of this project for many years. And next to Governor Clyde is the senior Senator Wallace F. Bennett who is here likewise to demonstrate his great support and interest in the project, and who is sponsor of the Dixie bill in the Senate. We have received a communication from Senator Moss, and business in Washington prevents his being here. So, this is the delegation, and I suppose it is the largest congressional delegation that has ever been in Dixie. I think there are enough members here, Mr. Chairman, that we could almost have a quorum call, if you will back me up. Mr. ROGERS. Thank you, Mr. Burton, and let the Chair say that the committee is very pleased to have the opportunity to come to this great State of Utah, and especially this section of the State, and we look forward to the testimony that will be presented this evening. Mr. Burton, if you have any statement to make on the project, we will recognize you. STATEMENT OF LAURENCE J. BURTON, A U. S. REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE STATE OF UTAH Mr. BURTON. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I think the chairman and members of this committee know of my support for this Dixie bill. As a matter of fact, when I was elected to Congress I decided that the Dixie bill would be the first bill that I would introduce in the House, and it was, and has my unqualified support. Mr. Chairman and members of the committee, I appreciate the opportunity of appearing before you to testify in support of what I have long considered one of the most significant and important reclamation projects proposed for the State of Utah. Not only would this project be important to southwestern Utah, it would have many indirect benefits to the entire Nation. The proposed project will be located in the southwestern portion of the State of Utah in an area commonly known and referred to as Utah's Dixie. Gentlemen, this area and the country with which you will be concerned in your discussion of this project is not an ordinary one, and the people who settled and developed Dixie were not ordinary people. As you recall, Utah was settled by the Mormon pioneers as they traveled west seeking refuge from persecution and mob violence. They settled in the desolate territory which was to become known as the Territory or State of Deseret, and later the State of Utah. Needless to say, many of those early pioneers must have been bitterly disappointed when they emerged from the mountains on the east of the Salt Lake Valley and stood on the hill surveying the desert, to hear Brigham Young say, " This is the place"; and he instructed them to settle there, build their homes, and till the soil. Even at the time the Mormons came into the Great Salt Lake Valley, the area referred to as Dixie was of considerable importance, Fremont |
