 |
|
|
|
JOHN PHILLIPS SAYLOR (1908-1973) was
born on a farm near Johnstown, Pennsylvania, to parents who passed along their great
respect for the environment to their son. After receiving a degree from Dickinson College
Law School in 1933, he joined his father's law firm in Johnstown. During World War II,
Saylor joined the U. S. Navy, and served in the Pacific. He was elected to the U. S. House
of Representatives in 1949, and held a seat in Congress until his death in 1973.
During his time in office, he became best known for his support of legislation that would preserve scenic natural areas of the country. In his home state, he opposed the Kinzua Dam, which was proposed as a means of flood control on the Allegheny River. Saylor claimed that the dam would not have a significant impact upon flood protection in the area and that it would destroy one of the last unspoiled stretches of the river. Also, it would lead to the appropriation of Seneca Nation lands, which would violate a treaty made between them and the United States in 1794. Kinzua Dam was ultimately built, but Saylor continued his preservation efforts and eventually became more successful.
One of his main efforts in this field was his Scenic Rivers Bill. This bill proposed the protection of several rivers that were designated as "scenic" and made allowances for other rivers to be given this same protection. After several modifications, the National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act was finally passed in 1968. Saylor received many honors and accolades for his work in getting the bill through Congress. His work on this and other conservation legislation did much to help protect valuable scenic areas of the nation.
|
"His father . . . was an avid hiker, hunter, and angler
who instilled a passion for those outdoor activities in his sons. The family joined a
Sportsmen's Association that owned a hunting and fishing camp in Potter County and
throughout his life John Saylor took refuge at 'Lost Cabin.'" --Thomas G. Smith, author of "Voice for Scenic Rivers: John P. Saylor of Pennsylvania" |
|
| Main | General Info | Hours | Contact Us | Articles and Exhibits
|
| Manuscripts | University History |
URL=http://www.lib.iup.edu/spec_coll/exhibits/saylor/bioginfo.html
Filename: bioginfo.html
Maintained by Phillip Zorich.
Created by Nicole Siemon.
Last modified: 05/15/02.
Comments on this site and its contents are welcome; contact the webmaster.
