Blue Ridge Country January/February 2022 - 82

LEADERS BY NATURE: THE MOUNTAIN Q & A
LAMAR ALEXANDER:
Hero for the American Outdoors
Lamar Alexander, a Maryville, Tennessee, native, retired in 2021 after
serving 18 years in the U.S. Senate. Earlier, Alexander served two terms as
Governor of Tennessee, was President of the University of Tennessee, and
was the U.S. Education Secretary under President George H.W. Bush.
Interview by MARY LEIDIG | Photo courtesy LAMAR ALEXANDER
Tell us about growing up in Maryville, Tennessee
and who outside your family has had a big
influence on you?
My father was an elementary school principal and my
mother operated a pre-school program in a converted
garage in our backyard. This was before public kindergarten.
Once a reporter wrote, " Lamar Alexander grew
up in a lower middle-class family at the edge of the
Great Smoky Mountains. " My mother was incensed:
" Son, we never thought of ourselves that way. You had
a library card when you were three and music lessons
from age four. "
U.S. Sen. Howard Baker had more influence on me
than anyone outside my family. Young people often ask,
" How can I become involved in politics?'' My answer is
to find someone you respect, volunteer to help him or
her do anything legal and learn all you can. That's what
I did with Senator Baker.
As a U.S. senator, governor of Tennessee and
president of the University of Tennessee, you have
long championed the protection of public lands.
Tell us about The Governor's Commission on
Tennesseans Outdoors.
In 1985, President Reagan had asked me to chair the
President's Commission on Americans Outdoors to
make sure that the next generation could enjoy the outdoors.
Our commission recommended state and local
action, such as greenways, conservation land trusts and
scenic byways. I followed up with a Tennessee Commission,
to expand our state parks, natural areas, greenways
and conservation easements, and to make thousands of
miles of highways more scenic.
What have you seen that has historically been
the most important conservation legislation that
protects our environment?
Three things. First, the 2020 Great American Outdoors
Act is the most important law since the Eisenhower
years to provide funding to maintain our 419 National
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Park properties, national forests and other public lands.
Second, permanent funding of $900 million each year
for the Land and Water Conservation Fund, also enacted
in 2020. Third, the Clean Air and Water laws enacted in
the early 1970s and regulations since have made a huge
difference, for example, in eliminating much of the
smog that replaced the natural blue haze in the Great
Smoky Mountains.
You played major roles in the Great American
Outdoors Act and the Restore Our Parks Act.
Why does this matter to the Southeast and to our
nation?
The Great Outdoors Act will provide $9.5 billion to
cut in half the maintenance backlog in our 419 national
park properties, national forests and other public
lands-to fix roads, picnic areas, trails, campgrounds
and visitor centers. The tourism industry will be one big
beneficiary. People are more likely to visit national park
properties that are well maintained.
What are you working on these days?
I heard a newscaster once say about a basketball player
that if he'd quit trying so hard and let the game come
to him, he'd be a much better player. So I'm letting life
come to me and seeing what happens.
Share with us your vision for future conservation.
I believe it is time to convene another President's Commission
on Americans Outdoors to see what they can
come up with to ensure future generations have access
to the most beautiful areas of our country.
When you go on a walk and you see the benefit of
all your work, I hope you're wearing more plaid
these days. And tell us about a favorite walk or
hike.
My favorite hike is out my back door up Trunk Branch
for two miles to the Great Smoky Mountain National
Park Boundary.
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Blue Ridge Country January/February 2022

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