The legislation, part of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009, passed the House by a vote of 285-140. The bill now moves to the White House for President Obama's signature.

"Today's victory is a testament to the vision of Senator Craig Thomas, the dedication of Senators John Barrasso and Mike Enzi, the courage of Susan Thomas, and the perseverance of thousands of Wyoming men and women who worked so hard to see this day," said Campaign for the Snake Headwaters Executive Director Tom Patricelli. "This has been an extraordinary campaign with many ups and downs that has culminated in a special gift to Wyoming that will last forever," he said.

Losing the leadership of Senator Craig Thomas, the bill's original author, was the most difficult moment of the campaign. "Craig envisioned his bill not only as a legacy that would protect some of Wyoming's most special places for future generations, but also as a tool that Wyoming outfitters, business owners, and our state's tourism industry could use to attract visitors from around the world," said Patricelli. "In these challenging economic times, Craig's vision seems all the more keen," he said.

The depth and breadth of support for this legislation is a testament to Senator Thomas' belief in building consensus in matters of public policy. "From the beginning of our conversations with Craig, he urged consultation, collaboration, and cooperation among all sides of the spectrum in Wyoming," said Patricelli. "We took Craig's charge and brought together a broad-based statewide coalition of support for this bill, and today's victory resonates with the spirit of cooperation that Craig so strongly advocated," said Patricelli.

"This day would not have been possible without the leadership and conviction of Senator John Barrasso, who took up Craig's cause and brought it across the finish line" said Patricelli. "Wyoming owes an enormous debt of gratitude to Senator Barrasso for his extraordinary efforts," said Patricelli. "Senator Barrasso displayed the skill and tenacity of a veteran legislator, and, together with Senator Enzi, won the day in the U.S. Senate on more than one occasion when things looked darkest," said Patricelli.

"This is a special day," said Jackson wildlife biologist Derek Craighead, whose father and uncle, famed wildlife biologists John and Frank Craighead, came up with idea for the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System while conducting groundbreaking wildlife research in the greater Yellowstone and Jackson Hole areas in the 1950s. "My dad and I are so happy that our citizens and our leaders care as much about Wyoming's wild places as our family always has. I know my Uncle Frank would be happy, too. My thanks to John Barrasso and Craig Thomas, and to all the people who have supported this worthy cause," said Craighead.

"Craig Thomas, John Barrasso, and Mike Enzi have given future generations of Americans a priceless gift," said world-renowned Jackson Hole flyfishing outfitter Jack Dennis. "I have fished every river in this bill, and one of the proudest moments of my life was testifying in Washington on behalf of this legislation," said Dennis, who appeared before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee to testify in support of the Snake Headwaters Legacy Act in May 2007; two weeks after Senator Thomas introduced the bill. "I am so pleased for Susan and the entire Thomas family," said Dennis.

The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act was passed by Congress and signed by President Lyndon Johnson in 1968. Today, more than 11,000 miles of rivers and streams are included in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.

A broad-based, statewide coalition of sportsmen, business owners, outfitters, landowners, and conservationists are joined by Senators John Barrasso and Mike Enzi, Governor Dave Freudenthal, former Vice President Dick Cheney, the Wyoming Board of Travel and Tourism, Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife, Trout Unlimited, the Teton County Commission, the Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce, the National Park Service, and the U.S. Forest Service in supporting this important legislation.