“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” ― John F. Kennedy [Thanksgiving Day Proclamation, 1963]

As we prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving this week, we express our gratitude to God for the liberties and freedoms that we enjoy in this country. We are grateful for those brave and committed persons who have done more than just talk about their support for the Transfer of Public Lands, but have actually stepped up and given of their time and funds to help us keep the vital movement for responsible, locally driven management of our public lands moving forward.

For those of you who support our objectives but have not yet joined us, we ask why not? ALC is fueled by member dues and donations, so we would be especially grateful if you would join, donate, or upgrade your membership HERE today.

In order to be truly sovereign states, each state must be respected in their right to govern the lands, resources, and people within their boundaries in as much as their actions are not repugnant to the Constitution of the United States. The American Lands Council works every day to facilitate the restoration of proper Constitutional balance between State and Federal Governments.

Besides, local control works! States have been shown, over and over again, to manage State-owned public lands better than the federal government manages federally controlled public lands. States manage timber and grasslands to prevent wildfires and keep the landscape healthy. States put wildfires out before they become expensive disasters. States govern their public lands in a manner consistent with the will of the people.

The simple fact is that no subset of people cares more about the public lands, environment, and quality of life in their own state than the people who live there and are directly affected by how our lands are governed. But asserting our right and responsibility to govern our own lands and lives takes knowledge, courage, action, and funding. 

Samuel Adams said: “The liberties of our country, the freedom of our civil constitution, are worth defending at all hazards; and it is our duty to defend them against all attacks. …..Instead of sitting down satisfied with the efforts we have already made, which is the wish of our enemies, the necessity of the times more than ever calls for our utmost circumspection, deliberation, fortitude, and perseverance. Let us remember that if we suffer tamely a lawless attack upon our liberty, we encourage it, and involve others in our doom! It is a very serious consideration, which should deeply impress our minds, that millions yet unborn may be the miserable sharers in the event.”

From Ronald Reagan: “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like in the United States where men were free.”

Robert G. Natelson -Senior Fellow in Constitutional Jurisprudence noted:

“The Founders knew from brutal experience that the kind of government being promoted by the British ministry-a unitary form operating under an unwritten (or “living”) constitution-would hamper the cause of freedom and human happiness. Accordingly, the Founders, with the consent of the American people, decided that our Constitution would be in writing, and would divide power between central and state governments. Under this written Constitution, the three branches of the federal government received important, but limited powers. All other authority was reserved to the states and the people.”

All other authority was reserved to the States and the people. But that authority only exists if we claim it and exercise it. States will never be treated equal as long as we allow the federal government to treat us unequal.

Won’t you JOIN US or DONATE to help preserve our liberties and secure the right to enjoy and protect our public lands so that we can all have a healthy environment, abundant recreation, & safe, vibrant communities?

We pray you are with us, in more than just words, for we cannot continue without you!

From our families to yours, we wish you a blessed Thanksgiving.