Dear Marshall Texas Chamber of Commerce:

I am writing the Marshall Texas Chamber of Commerce requesting the Chamber publicly state it is against Senator Hutchison's land grab of acreage previously dedicated to the Caddo Lake National Wildlife Refuge.

If the MTCofC believes tourism is good for the Marshall economy and businesses, please immediately forward a letter to Senator Hutchison stating the Marshall Texas Chamber of Commerce is for a strong East Texas tourism industry and against the transfer of land from the Caddo Lake National Wildlife Refuge for any other purpose.

After four years of PUBLIC hearings and meetings, the local citizens working with all governments and associated agencies agreed that the best use of the Longhorn property was as a Wildlife Refuge .

Thoughts I want you to think about and remember:

1) Tourism is one of the largest industries in Texas. Is Marshall getting its fair share?

2) Caddo Lake and its State Park and National Wildlife Refuge is a key tourist draw to Marshall and East Texas. Shouldn't the Chamber be working to improve our tourism rather than passively watching it be attacked and diminished?

3) Eco-tourism is the fasted growing segment of tourism. Caddo Lake and associated parks and wildlife refuge is a prime example of an eco-tourism location. Does the Chamber want to grow or damage Marshall tourism?

4) If circumventing the efforts of the local citizens and local, state and federal governments and associated agencies that agreed that the best use of the Longhorn property is a Wildlife Refuge is such a great idea – why didn't the Senator go public with the idea on the first day it was proposed? Better yet, why didn't the Senator propose this alternative use at the time she approved the Wildlife Refuge?