In a colorful career that included stints as an attorney, professional basketball player, and presidential candidate, Morris Udall made outstanding contributions to American conservation.

Among the greatest of his accomplishments as Representative was securing passage of the Alaska Lands Act in 1980, which doubled the size of the national park system and tripled the amount of national wilderness.

In a remarkably productive career in Congress, Udall ushered through many landmark environmental laws, including the Strip Mining Reclamation Act, the Southern Arizona Water Rights Settlement Act, and the Tongass Timber Reform Act. His concern for the environment brought America a lasting gift of improved health for wild places and wild resources across the nation. His record of conservation progress through legislation is one to which future elected officials can and should aspire.