[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 16 (Thursday, January 26, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E190-E191]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


          MARK TWAIN NATIONAL FOREST LAND CONVEYANCE/ROLLA, MO

                                 ______


                           HON. BILL EMERSON

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 26, 1995
  Mr. EMERSON. Mr. Speaker, today I am reintroducing a measure that is 
vital to the rural economic development efforts of south-central 
Missouri--specifically Phelps County and surrounding areas. This 
legislation will authorize the U.S. Department of Agriculture to convey 
land within the Mark Twain National Forest to the city of Rolla, MO.
  The city of Rolla has been diligent in its plan to utilize the U.S. 
Forest Service's district ranger office site in the development and 
construction of a regional tourist center. I feel its important to note 
that tourism is the second largest industry in Missouri and this 
tourist center has already attracted great interest along with needed 
dollars to the regional Rolla economy.
  [[Page E191]] Clearly, this project is a prime example of a local 
community exercising its own rural development plan for local expansion 
and job creation. In these times of reduced Federal support for rural 
community-based economic enterprises, the city of Rolla is a shining 
example and model of both involvement and initiative that other 
communities around the country can clearly emulate.
  For over a year now, the city of Rolla has been collecting a 3-
percent tax on local hotels in the attempt to finance this project 
independent of any assistance from the Federal Government. Indeed, this 
land transfer arrangement is a very unique partnership for both Rolla 
and the Mark Twain National Forest. Several of Missouri's proud 
historical landmarks, which are an important element of this site, will 
be maintained and preserved for current and future generations through 
the efforts of the city of Rolla--at a substantially reduced cost to 
local taxpayers. This is particularly important to bear in mind since 
this facility would have no further commercial viability without the 
direct involvement of the city of Rolla. So now, two worthy goals can 
be achieved--economic development and historical preservation.
  Mr. Speaker, I commend the leadership efforts of the Mark Twain 
National Forest and the city of Rolla and I urge the expeditious 
approval of this measure in order that the citizens of Rolla can get on 
with the business of economic development and job creation.


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