[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 145 (Monday, September 18, 1995)]
[House]
[Pages H9097-H9104]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    PROVIDING FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF CERTAIN PRESIDIO PROPERTIES

  Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 1296), to provide for the administration of certain Presidio 
properties at minimal cost to the Federal taxpayer, as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 1296

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. FINDINGS.

       The Congress finds that--
       (1) the Presidio, located amidst the incomparable scenic 
     splendor of the Golden Gate, is one of America's great 
     natural and historic sites;
       (2) the Presidio is the oldest continuously operated 
     military post in the Nation dating from 1776, and was 
     designated a National Historic Landmark in 1962;
       (3) preservation of the cultural and historic integrity of 
     the Presidio for public use recognizes its significant role 
     in the history of the United States;
       (4) the Presidio, in its entirety, is located within the 
     boundary of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, in 
     accordance with Public Law 92-589;
       (5) the Presidio's significant natural, historic, scenic, 
     cultural, and recreational resources must be managed in a 
     manner which is consistent with sound principles of land use 
     planning and management, and which protects the Presidio from 
     development and uses which would destroy the scenic beauty 
     and historic and natural character of the area; and
       (6) the Presidio can best be managed through an innovative 
     public/private partnership that minimizes cost to the United 
     States Treasury and makes efficient use of private sector 
     resources that could be utilized in the public interest.

     SEC. 2. AUTHORITY AND RESPONSIBILITY OF THE SECRETARY OF THE 
                   INTERIOR.

       (a) Interim Authority.--The Secretary of the Interior 
     (hereinafter in this Act referred to as the ``Secretary'') is 
     authorized to manage leases in existence on the date of this 
     Act for properties under the Administrative jurisdiction of 
     the Secretary and located at the Presidio. Upon the 
     expiration of any such lease, the Secretary may extend the 
     lease for a period terminating 6 months after the first 
     meeting of the Presidio Trust at which a quorum is present. 
     After the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
     may not enter into any new leases for property at the 
     Presidio to be transferred to the Presidio Trust under this 
     Act. Notwithstanding section 1341 of title 31 of the United 
     States Code, the proceeds from any such lease shall be 
     retained by the Secretary and such proceeds shall be 
     available, without further appropriation, for the 
     preservation, restoration, operation and maintenance, 
     improvement, repair and related expenses incurred with 
     respect to Presidio properties. For purposes of any such 
     lease, the Secretary may adjust the rental by taking into 
     account any amounts to be expended by the lessee for 
     preservation, maintenance, restoration, improvement, repair 
     and related expenses with respect to properties within the 
     Presidio.
       (b) Public Information and Interpretation.--The Secretary 
     shall be responsible, in cooperation with the Presidio Trust, 
     for providing public interpretative services, visitor 
     orientation and educational programs on all lands within the 
     Presidio.

[[Page H 9098]]

       (c) Other.--Those lands and facilities within the Presidio 
     that are not transferred to the administrative jurisdiction 
     of the Presidio Trust shall continue to be managed by the 
     Secretary. The Secretary and the Presidio Trust shall 
     cooperate to ensure adequate public access to all portions of 
     the Presidio.
       (d) Park Service Employees.--Notwithstanding any other 
     provision of law, the Trust shall have sole discretion over 
     whether to employ persons previously employed by the National 
     Park Service in the Department of the Interior. Career 
     employees of the National Park Service, employed at the 
     Presidio as of the time of the transfer of lands and 
     facilities to the Presidio Trust, shall not be separated from 
     the Service by reason of such transfer.

     SEC. 3. THE PRESIDIO TRUST.

       (a) Establishment.--There is established a wholly owned 
     government corporation to be known as the Presidio Trust 
     (hereinafter in this Act referred to as the ``Trust'').
       (b) Transfer.--(1) Within 60 days after receipt of a 
     request from the Trust for the transfer of any parcel within 
     the area depicted as area B on the map entitled ``Presidio 
     Trust Number 1,'' dated June 1995, the Secretary shall 
     transfer such parcel to the administrative jurisdiction of 
     the Trust. Within one year after the first meeting of the 
     Board of Directors of the Trust at which a quorum is present, 
     the Board shall request the Secretary to transfer any 
     remaining parcels within such area B. Such map shall be on 
     file and available for public inspection in the offices of 
     the Trust and in the offices of the National Park Service, 
     Department of the Interior. The Trust and the Secretary may 
     jointly make technical and clerical revisions in the boundary 
     depicted on such map. Such areas shall remain within the 
     boundary of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. The 
     Secretary shall retain those portions of the building 
     identified as number 103 as the Secretary deems essential for 
     use as a visitor center. The building shall be named the 
     ``William Penn Mott Visitor Center''. With the consent of the 
     Secretary, the Trust may at any time transfer to the 
     administrative jurisdiction of the Secretary any other 
     properties within the Presidio which are surplus to the needs 
     of the Trust and which serve essential purposes of the Golden 
     Gate National Recreation Area. The Trust is encouraged to 
     transfer to the administrative jurisdiction of the Secretary 
     open space areas which have a high public use potential and 
     are contiguous to other lands administered by the Secretary.
       (2) The Secretary shall transfer, with the transfer of 
     administrative jurisdiction over any property, all leases, 
     concessions, licenses, permits, and other agreements relating 
     to such property. Upon the transfer of such property the 
     Secretary shall transfer the unobligated balance of all funds 
     appropriated to the Secretary for the operation of the 
     Presidio, together with any revenues and unobligated funds 
     associated with leases, concessions, licenses, permits, and 
     agreements relating to properties transferred to the Trust.
       (c) Board of Directors.--
       (1) In general.--The powers and management of the Trust 
     shall be vested in a Board of Directors (hereinafter referred 
     to as the ``Board'') consisting of the following 7 members:
       (A) The Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary's 
     designee.
       (B) Six individuals, who are not employees of the Federal 
     Government, appointed by the President, who shall possess 
     extensive knowledge and experience in one or more of the 
     fields of city planning, finance, real estate, and resource 
     conservation. At least 3 of these individuals shall reside in 
     the city and county of San Francisco. The President shall 
     make the appointments referred to in this subparagraph within 
     90 days after the enactment of this Act.
       (2) Terms.--Members of the Board appointed under paragraph 
     (1)(B) shall each serve for a term of 4 years, except that of 
     the members first appointed, 3 shall serve for a term of 2 
     years. Any vacancy in the Board shall be filled in the same 
     manner in which the original appointment was made, and any 
     member appointed to fill a vacancy shall serve for the 
     remainder of the term for which his or her predecessor was 
     appointed. No appointed director may serve more than 8 years 
     in consecutive terms. No member of the Board of Directors may 
     have a development or financial interest in any tenant or 
     property of the Presidio.
       (3) Quorum.--Four members of the Board shall constitute a 
     quorum for the conduct of business by the Board.
       (4) Organization and compensation.--The Board shall 
     organize itself in such a manner as it deems most appropriate 
     to effectively carry out the authorized activities of the 
     Trust. Board members shall serve without pay, but may be 
     reimbursed for the actual and necessary travel and 
     subsistence expenses incurred by them in the performance of 
     the duties of the Trust.
       (5) Liability of directors.--Members of the Board of 
     Directors shall not be considered Federal employees by virtue 
     of their membership on the Board, except for purposes of the 
     Federal Tort Claims Act and the Ethics in Government Act.
       (6) Public liaison.--The Board shall meet at least 3 times 
     per year in San Francisco and at least one meeting shall be 
     open to the public. The Board shall establish procedures for 
     providing public information and opportunities for public 
     comment regarding policy, planning, and design issues through 
     the Golden Gate National Recreation Area Advisory Commission.
       (d) Duties and Authorities.--In accordance with the 
     purposes set forth in this Act and in section 1 of the Act 
     entitled ``An Act to establish the Golden Gate National 
     Recreation Area in the State of California, and for other 
     purposes'', approved October 27, 1972 (Public Law 92-589; 86 
     Stat. 1299; 16 U.S.C. 460bb), and in accordance with the 
     general objectives of the general management plan approved 
     for the Presidio, the Trust shall manage the leasing, 
     maintenance, rehabilitation, repair and improvement of 
     property within the Presidio which is under its 
     administrative jurisdiction. The Trust may participate in the 
     development of programs and activities at the properties that 
     have been transferred to the Trust. In exercising its powers 
     and duties, the Trust shall have the following authorities:
       (1) The Trust is authorized to manage, lease, maintain, 
     rehabilitate and improve, either directly or by agreement, 
     those properties within the Presidio which are transferred to 
     the Trust by the Secretary.
       (2)(A) The Trust is authorized to negotiate and enter into 
     such agreements, leases, contracts and other arrangements 
     with any person, firm, association, organization, corporation 
     or governmental entity, including without limitation entities 
     of Federal, State and local governments (except any agreement 
     to convey fee title to any property located at the Presidio) 
     as are necessary and appropriate to finance and carry out its 
     authorized activities. Agreements under this paragraph may be 
     entered into without regard to section 321 of the Act of June 
     30, 1932 (40 U.S.C. 303b).
       (B) Except as provided in subparagraphs (C), (D), and (E), 
     Federal laws and regulations governing procurement by Federal 
     agencies shall apply to the Trust.
       (C) In exercising authority under section 303(g) of the 
     Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 (41 
     U.S.C. 253(g)) relating to simplified purchase procedures, 
     the Trust is authorized, to use as the dollar limit of each 
     purchase or contract under this subsection an amount which 
     does not exceed $500,000.
       (D) In carrying out the requirement of section 18 of the 
     Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act (41 U.S.C 416), the 
     Trust is authorized to furnish the Secretary of Commerce for 
     publication notices of proposed procurement actions, to use 
     as the applicable dollar threshold for each expected 
     procurement an amount which does not exceed $1,000,000.
       (E) The Trust shall establish procedures for lease 
     agreements and other agreements for use and occupancy of 
     Presidio facilities, including a requirement that in entering 
     into such agreements the Trust shall obtain reasonable 
     competition.
       (F) The Trust shall develop a comprehensive program for 
     management of those lands and facilities within the Presidio 
     which are transferred to the Trust. Such program shall be 
     designed to reduce costs to the maximum extent possible. In 
     carrying out this program, the Trust shall be treated as a 
     successor in interest to the National Park Service with 
     respect to compliance with the National Environmental Policy 
     Act and other environmental compliance statutes. Such program 
     shall consist of--
       (i) demolition of all structures which cannot be cost-
     effectively rehabilitated and are not of the highest degree 
     of historical significance,
       (ii) new construction which would be limited to replacement 
     of existing structures of similar size in existing areas of 
     development, and
       (iii) examination of a full range of reasonable options for 
     carrying out routine administrative and facility management 
     programs.
     The Trust shall consult with the Secretary in the preparation 
     of this program.
       (3) The Trust is authorized to appoint and fix the 
     compensation and duties of an executive director and such 
     other officers and employees as it deems necessary without 
     regard to the provisions of title 5, United States Code, 
     governing appointments in the competitive service, and may 
     pay them without regard to the provisions of chapter 51, and 
     subchapter III of chapter 53, title 5, United States Code 
     (relating to classification and General Schedule pay rates).
       (4) To augment or encourage the use of non-Federal funds to 
     finance capital improvements on Presidio properties 
     transferred to its jurisdiction, the Trust, in addition to 
     its other authorities, shall have the following authorities:
       (A) The authority to guarantee any lender against loss of 
     principal or interest on any loan, provided that (i) the 
     terms of the guarantee are approved by the Secretary of the 
     Treasury, (ii) adequate guarantee authority is provided in 
     appropriations Acts, and (iii) such guarantees are structured 
     so as to minimize potential cost to the Federal Government. 
     No loan guarantee under this Act shall cover more than 75 
     percent of the unpaid balance of the loan. The Secretary of 
     the Treasury shall collect a commercially reasonable 
     guarantee fee in connection with each loan guaranteed under 
     this Act. The authority to enter into any such loan guarantee 
     agreement shall expire at the end of 12 years after the date 
     of enactment of this Act.
       (B) The authority, subject to available appropriations, to 
     make loans to the occupants of property managed by the Trust 
     for the 

[[Page H 9099]]
     preservation, restoration, maintenance, or repair of such property.
       (C) The authority to issue obligations to the Secretary of 
     the Treasury, but only if the Secretary of the Treasury 
     agrees to purchase such obligations after determining that 
     the projects to be funded from the proceeds thereof are 
     credit worthy and that a repayment schedule is established. 
     The Secretary of the Treasury is authorized to use as a 
     public debt transaction the proceeds from the sale of any 
     securities issued under chapter 31 of title 31, United States 
     Code, and the purposes for which securities may be issued 
     under such chapter are extended to include any purchase of 
     such notes or obligations acquired by the Secretary of the 
     Treasury under this subsection. The aggregate amount of 
     obligations issued under this subparagraph which are 
     outstanding at any one time may not exceed $50,000,000. 
     Obligations issued under this subparagraph shall be in such 
     forms and denominations, bearing such maturities, and subject 
     to such terms and conditions, as may be prescribed by the 
     Secretary of the Treasury, and shall bear interest at a rate 
     determined by the Secretary of the Treasury, taking into 
     consideration current market yields on outstanding marketable 
     obligations of the United States of comparable maturities. No 
     funds appropriated to the Trust may be used for repayment of 
     principal or interest on, or redemption of, obligations 
     issued under this paragraph. All obligations purchased under 
     authority of this subparagraph must be authorized in advance 
     in appropriations Acts.
       (D) The Trust shall be deemed to be a public agency for the 
     purpose of entering into joint exercise of powers agreements 
     pursuant to California government code section 6500 and 
     following.
       (5) The Trust may solicit and accept donations of funds, 
     property, supplies, or services from individuals, 
     foundations, corporations, and other private or public 
     entities for the purpose of carrying out its duties. The 
     Trust shall maintain philanthropic liaison with the Golden 
     Gate National Park Association, the fund raising association 
     for the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.
       (6) Notwithstanding section 1341 of title 31 of the United 
     States Code, all proceeds received by the Trust shall be 
     retained by the Trust, and such proceeds shall be available, 
     without further appropriation, for the preservation, 
     restoration, operation and maintenance, improvement, repair 
     and related expenses incurred with respect to Presidio 
     properties under its jurisdiction. Upon the request of the 
     Trust, the Secretary of the Treasury shall invest excess 
     moneys of the Trust in public debt securities with maturities 
     suitable to the needs of the Trust.
       (7) The Trust may sue and be sued in its own name to the 
     same extent as the Federal Government. Litigation arising out 
     of the activities of the Trust shall be conducted by the 
     Attorney General, as needed; except that the Trust may retain 
     private attorneys to provide advice and counsel, and to 
     represent the Trust in proceedings to enforce and defend the 
     contractual obligations of the Trust.
       (8) The Trust shall have all necessary and proper powers 
     for the exercise of the authorities invested in it.
       (9) For the purpose of compliance with applicable laws and 
     regulations concerning properties transferred to the Trust by 
     the Secretary, the Trust shall negotiate directly with 
     regulatory authorities.
       (e) Insurance.--The Trust shall procure insurance against 
     any loss in connection with the properties managed by it or 
     its authorized activities as is reasonable and customary.
       (f) Building Code Compliance.--The Trust shall bring all 
     properties under its jurisdiction into compliance with 
     Federal building codes and regulations appropriate to use and 
     occupancy within 10 years after the enactment of this Act.
       (g) Taxes.--The Trust shall be exempt from all taxes and 
     special assessments of every kind in the State of California, 
     and its political subdivisions, including the city and county 
     of San Francisco.
       (h) Financial Information and Report.--(1) The Trust shall 
     be treated as a wholly owned Government corporation subject 
     to chapter 91 of title 31, United States Code (commonly 
     referred to as the Government Corporation Control Act). 
     Financial statements of the Trust shall be audited annually 
     in accordance with section 9105 of title 31 of the United 
     States Code.
       (2) At the end of each calendar year, the Trust shall 
     submit to the Congress a comprehensive and detailed report of 
     its operations, activities, and accomplishments for the prior 
     fiscal year. The report also shall include a section that 
     describes in general terms the Trust's goals for the current 
     fiscal year.
       (i) Savings Clause.--Nothing in this section shall preclude 
     the Secretary from exercising any of the Secretary's lawful 
     powers within the Presidio.
       (j) Leasing.--In managing and leasing the properties 
     transferred to it, the Trust should consider the extent to 
     which prospective tenants maximize the contribution to the 
     implementation of the General Management Plan for the 
     Presidio and to the generation of revenues to offset costs of 
     the Presidio. The Trust shall give priority to the following 
     categories of tenants: tenants that enhance the financial 
     viability of the Presidio thereby contributing to the 
     preservation of the scenic beauty and natural character of 
     the area; tenants that facilitate the cost-effective 
     preservation of historic buildings through their reuse of 
     such buildings, or tenants that promote through their 
     activities the general programmatic content of the plan.
       (k) Reversion.--If the Trust reasonably determines by a 
     two-thirds vote of its Board of Directors that it has 
     materially failed to, or cannot, carry out the provisions of 
     this Act, all lands and facilities administered by the Trust 
     shall revert to the Secretary of Defense to be disposed of in 
     accordance with section 2905(b) of the Defense Authorization 
     Act of 1990 (104 Stat. 1809), except that--
       (1) the terms and conditions of all agreements and loans 
     regarding such lands and facilities entered into by the Trust 
     shall be binding on any successor in interest; and
       (2) the city of San Francisco shall have the first right of 
     refusal to accept all lands and facilities formerly 
     administered by the Trust.
       (l) Limitations on Funding.--(1) From amounts made 
     available to the Secretary for the operation of areas within 
     the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, not more than 
     $25,000,000 shall be available to carry out this Act in each 
     fiscal year after the enactment of this Act until the plan is 
     submitted under paragraph (2). Such sums shall remain 
     available until expended.
       (2) Within one year after establishment of the Trust, the 
     Trust shall submit to Congress a plan which includes a 
     schedule of annual decreasing Federally appropriated funding 
     such as will achieve total self-sufficiency for the Trust 
     within 12 complete fiscal years after establishment of the 
     Trust. That plan shall provide for annual reductions in 
     Federally appropriated funding such that the Trust will be 80 
     percent self-sufficient at the end of 7 complete fiscal years 
     after establishment. The plan shall provide for elimination 
     of all Federally appropriated funding for public safety and 
     fire protection purposes on lands or facilities administered 
     by the Trust at the end of 5 complete fiscal years after 
     establishment of the Trust. For each of the 11 fiscal years 
     after fiscal year 1997, there are authorized to be 
     appropriated to the Trust not more than the amounts specified 
     in such plan. Such sums shall remain available until 
     expended.
       (m) GAO Audit.--Ten years after the date of establishment 
     of the Trust, the General Accounting Office shall conduct a 
     complete audit of the activities of the Trust and shall 
     report the results of that audit to the appropriate 
     congressional committees. The General Accounting Office shall 
     include in that audit an analysis of the ability of the Trust 
     to initiate payments to the Treasury.
       (n) Separability of Provisions.--If any provisions of this 
     Act or the application thereof to any body, agency, 
     situation, or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of 
     the Act and the application of such provision to other 
     bodies, agencies, situations, or circumstances shall not be 
     affected thereby.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Utah [Mr. Hansen] will be recognized for 20 minutes, and the gentleman 
from New Mexico [Mr. Richardson] will be recognized for 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Utah [Mr. Hansen].
  Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  (Mr. HANSEN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1296, 
bipartisan legislation introduced by the gentlewoman from San 
Francisco, which addresses what to do with the Presidio of San 
Francisco. Mr. Speaker, because of a single sentence in a 23-year-old 
piece of legislation, the Presidio has the potential to become the most 
expensive area in the National Park System. I believe that the 
framework outlined in this legislation for future management of the 
Presidio embodies the type of innovative thinking and reduced 
dependence on the Federal Government which voters sought last November, 
and I commend Ms. Pelosi for leading the way with her legislation.
  In 1989, the Department of the Army, through the base closure 
process, determined that the Presidio was surplus to their needs. The 
1972 Act establishing Golden Gate National Recreation Area called for 
the administrative jurisdiction of the Presidio to be transferred to 
the National Park Service, if it was ever determined to be surplus to 
the needs of the Department of the Army. Thus began a lengthy, multi-
million dollar planning effort by the NPS to determine the future of 
the area.
  To their credit, from the outset the NPS recognized that the 6 
million square feet of building space at the Presidio was far more 
space than the NPS could use. With hospitals, warehousing, 1500 housing 
units, fast food outlets, bowling alleys, churches, gymnasiums, as well 
as over 500 historic buildings, it was an area unlike 

[[Page H 9100]]
any ever managed by the NPS. Unfortunately, the NPS plan failed to 
examine all the reasonable alternatives for the Presidio.
  After spending nearly 4 years and over $1 million, the NPS came up 
with a plan estimated to cost nearly $700 million in one-time capital 
expenditures and $40 million in annual operating costs for the 
foreseeable future to implement. It was a plan with lots of pretty 
pictures and interesting ideas about a world center for social, 
cultural, and environmental awareness; but it was a plan with no basis 
in reality. In fact, the plan was so unrealistically dependent on 
Federal funding, that if allowed to go forward it appeared likely that 
the resources of the Presidio would be in great jeopardy. The media is 
already reporting how the Presidio has fallen into disrepair in the 11 
months since the National Park Service took over the area and began 
implementation of their plan.

  Under the National Park Service plan, the cost to operate the 1,400 
acres of Golden Gate National Recreation Area within the Presidio was 
going to be more than twice as much as the most expensive park in the 
park system; Yellowstone National Park which costs about $20 million 
per year to operate its 2.3 million acres.
  While the Presidio is a beautiful location, and certainly one of the 
most outstanding urban settings in the country, if not in the world, it 
is not the type of area which should be managed by the National Park 
Service. Based on considerable review of the situation over the last 
several years, the committee has come to the conclusion that the most 
effective way to reduce costs at the Presidio, and ultimately to save 
it, is to turn management of large portions of it over to those with 
expertise in management of such properties.
  Therefore, this legislation establishes the nonprofit Presidio Trust 
to take over management of about 80 percent of the Presidio, consisting 
of most of the built environment. Under the proposal before us today, 
the National Park Service would retain responsibility for management of 
the undeveloped open space areas and primary recreational use 
activities, as well as key historic structures, such as Fort Point. 
This is not a new idea. In fact, in reviewing the legislative history 
of the 1972 act, that is precisely the role which was envisioned for 
the National Park Service by the author of the law.
  Under terms of the bill, Federal funding for portions of the Presidio 
transferred to the Presidio Trust would be phased out after 12 years. 
This represents a savings of hundreds of millions of dollars compared 
to the plan developed by the National Park Service.
  It has not been easy to convince those who still believe that the 
Federal Government has all the answers and unlimited funds that such a 
solution is the best one for the Presidio. In fact, some remain 
unconvinced. For this reason, I appreciate even more the efforts of Ms. 
Pelosi to work to resolve my concerns and those of others on this bill. 
I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this important bill and 
look forward to swift action on this bill in the Senate.

                              {time}  1715

  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  (Mr. RICHARDSON asked and was given permission to revise and extend 
his remarks.)
  Mr. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1296, as reported from the 
committee, represents what we hope is a workable compromise regarding 
the management of the Presidio. This important measure was originally 
introduced by my good friend and colleague, Nancy Pelosi. The 
gentlewoman is to be commended for her hard work and dedication in 
addressing the issues facing the management of the Presidio. 
Representative Pelosi has worked tirelessly to protect her 
constituents' interests and the national interests at the Presidio. I 
commend her for seeking to protect the nationally significant resources 
of the Presidio while being mindful of budgetary restraints.
  The Presidio contains a combination of natural, historical, and 
recreational resources which are both significant and unique. There 
should be no question about the high degree of national significance of 
the Presidio, nor about our obligation to preserve and interpret these 
resources for present and future generations.

  The real question facing the Congress is how do we succeed in 
preserving the precious national assets of the Presidio in a manner 
which is sensitive to the budgetary restraints of the Federal 
Government. Already the Presidio is being operated at a significant 
cost savings when compared to its previous operation as a military 
post. Representative Pelosi's legislation is an innovative solution for 
operating the Presidio in the most cost-effective manner. This is a 
bipartisan effort that has not only had the active support of the 
administration, but also of the Governor, the mayor, and the San 
Francisco community, particularly the business community.
  Clearly, Mr. Speaker, the amendment in the nature of a substitute 
that was agreed to in the committee is a compromise document. It is 
something that, nevertheless, preserves a great part of our American 
heritage while reducing the cost to the Federal Government. I am 
concerned though, that the amendment sets unrealistic deadlines for 
achieving financial self-sufficiency. However, I recognize that we all 
had to compromise in order to reach agreement and I want to thank Mr. 
Hansen for all his work on this matter.
  Mr. Speaker, we need to move ahead with H.R. 1296. This legislation 
is the only viable solution to dealing with the Presidio. As much as 
some may like the idea, sale, or transfer will not work. Those options 
would involve a cumbersome and costly 10-15 year process with no 
assurance of success in the end.
  I support H.R. 1296, as amended, and would urge its adoption by the 
House.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from California 
[Ms. Pelosi].
  Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New Mexico [Mr. 
Richardson] for yielding this time to me, and for his cooperation in 
bringing this legislation to the floor, and his kind words about this 
bill. I am pleased to join my colleagues, the gentleman from Alaska 
[Mr. Young] the gentleman from Utah [Mr. Hansen], and the ranking 
member, the gentleman from California [Mr. Miller], in bringing H.R. 
1296 before the House today. As chairman of the subcommittee, the 
gentleman from Utah [Mr. Hansen] has worked tirelessly providing the 
leadership and the framework for the legislation before us today to 
reduce Federal exposure at the Presidio while preserving the Presidio 
in the public domain. Chairman Hansen has been firm in his intent to 
reduce costs, steadfast in his pursuit of a compromise, and determined 
in his bipartisan approach. I am grateful to him for his efforts on 
behalf of the Presidio. The ranking member, the gentleman from 
California [Mr. Miller], has been a defender of the Presidio for many 
years. As always, I am grateful for his leadership, advice, and 
support. Phil Burton, a former Member of this body, a leader here, 
would be proud of the gentleman from California's role in this effort. 
I also appreciate the cooperation of the gentleman from Alaska [Mr. 
Young]. I want to thank the Members on the Republican side who believed 
in H.R. 1296 enough to cosponsor the legislation: the gentleman from 
New York [Mr. Gilman], the gentleman from California [Mr. Horn], the 
gentleman from California [Mr. Gallegly], the gentleman from California 
[Mr. Radanovich], the gentleman from Nebraska [Mr. Bereuter]; and on 
our side my colleague, the gentleman from San Francisco, CA [Mr. 
Lantos]. I appreciate their confidence in the Presidio Trust 
legislation and their desire to see this bill passed by Congress today.
  Before I go any further, Mr. Speaker, I also want to acknowledge the 
hard work and dedication of my staff person, my administrative 
assistant, Judy Lemons, who also worked on the Interior Committee, when 
it was called that, under Phillip Burton on the subcommittee. She was 
present at the birth of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. When 
we celebrate the Presidio from post to park, it will be in large 
measure because of the hard work of Judy Lemons, and her work would not 
have been successful without the cooperation, advice, and counsel of 
Steve Hodag on the minority side, and 

[[Page H 9101]]
I want to publicly thank Steve. We have not always agreed on the 
approach to the Presidio, but, under the leadership of gentleman from 
Utah [Mr. Hansen] and the framework for compromise that he established, 
I think we produced a great product that will reach our goals of 
reducing cost to the taxpayers while preserving this national treasure.
  Before again I go any further, Mr. Speaker, I want to acknowledge 
with great gratitude the role that the U.S. Army has played in the 
Presidio. They have created the rich historic and environmental 
resource that it it today. They planted the trees, they preserved the 
history, they trained our soldiers, and they have left a great legacy 
to our Nation, and so it is in that spirit that we move this 
legislation to take the Presidio from post to park in a way that 
preserves the heritage that they invested in for so long.
  Support for the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, of which the 
Presidio will be a part, has, as I mentioned, we have bipartisan 
supporters for this legislation, but bipartisan support for urban 
parks, the GGNRA, along with Gateway NRA in New York was championed by 
President Nixon, his belief that, quote, parks should be brought to the 
people, end of quote. There was strong bipartisan support in Congress 
for these urban national park initiatives when they were approved in 
1972. At that time former Representative Phillip Burton authorized the 
legislation, authorized the creation of the Golden Gate National 
Recreation Area.
  I will place my full statement in the Record, Mr. Speaker, but I just 
did want to say briefly that H.R. 1296 creates a Presidio Trust to 
implement the conversion from post to park. This bill was introduced on 
March 22, 1995. It represents a bipartisan, and I keep saying that 
word, effort to merge economic realities, as the gentleman from Utah 
[Mr. Hansen] acknowledged, with park stewardship in order to maximize 
revenue potential and minimize the cost to American taxpayers. I 
believe the legislation achieves these twin goals in its plan for the 
first time actually to reduce Federal cost for our national park.
  Concerns were raised last year, as the gentleman from Utah [Mr. 
Hansen] mentioned, about the cost of operating the Presidio under the 
National Park Service. The majority and minority in this Congress have 
worked to address many of these concerns. That is why I am so proud 
that we have the support of the gentleman from Utah [Mr. Hansen] in 
this legislation. The version of H.R. 1296 before us today actually is 
the Hansen substitute, reflects many areas of compromise which were 
intended to protect taxpayers as well as to preserve the unique 
qualities of the Presidio, as I have described. Mr. Speaker, it calls 
for self-sufficiency in a time certain.

  Mr. Speaker, in the interests of time, as I say, I am going to place 
more of my statement in the Record, but I would like to state for the 
Record publicly that the Presidio Trust would comply with the National 
Historic Preservation Act, the National Environmental Policy Act, the 
National Historic Landmark Act, the GGNRA general management plan.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Foley). The time of the gentlewoman from 
California [Ms. Pelosi] has expired.
  Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 additional minutes to the 
gentlewoman from California.
  Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, in addition to complying with all of these 
laws, H.R. 1296, Presidio Trust legislation, support covers a broad 
spectrum from environmental groups, community organizations, and 
historic preservation groups to national business leaders. The ranking 
member, the gentleman from New Mexico [Mr. Richardson], mentioned some 
of these, and I will just briefly mention them and place in the Record 
leaders and lists from these organizations and lists of other 
organizations, a letter from the National Historic Trust for 
Preservation, the Sierra Club, the Presidio Task Force, People for the 
Golden Gate National Recreation Area, San Francisco Tomorrow, and a 
letter signed by some of the Nation's leading CEO's and business 
leaders strongly supporting the legislation. The list goes on and on. 
As the gentleman from New Mexico mentioned, the Governor of California, 
the mayor of San Francisco, and also the League of Women Voters. A 
complete list is included for the Record.
  Mr. Speaker, in closing I would like to say the picture of the 
Presidio in the GGNRA, of which this is a part, would not be complete 
without mentioning the work of Amy Meier, who has been engaged in 
efforts to preserve the GGNRA and Presidio for almost 25 years. There 
are hundreds of others in our community who were involved in the 5-year 
planning process for the Presidio. Community leaders from the San 
Francisco Bay area have also devoted their considerable talent and time 
to participate in the community and in congressional hearings on behalf 
of the Presidio Trust. They are stalwarts beyond comparison, and I 
greatly appreciate their work.
  In further closing, Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my many colleagues 
who have made a special effort to learn more about the Presidio and the 
concept of the trust. Many of the San Francisco Bay area community 
deserve praise for their constant support and effort on behalf of the 
Presidio and for future generations.
  Mr. Speaker, I think that in passing this legislation we will not 
only set up a model for how we can go from post to park, a model for 
how we can fund national parks in the least exposure to the taxpayer, 
but also a model of bipartisan support in this Congress on how we can 
work together to achieve our goals, aside from once again urging our 
colleagues to support the Presidio legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join my colleagues, Chairman Young, 
Chairman Hansen, and ranking member George Miller, in bring H.R. 1296 
before the House today.
  Mr. Hansen and I have worked side by side over recent months to 
develop a bill that would reduce the Federal exposure at the Presidio 
while preserving the Presidio in the public domain. Chairman Hansen has 
been firm in his intent to reduce costs, steadfast in his pursuit of a 
compromise and determined in his bipartisan approach. I am grateful to 
him for his efforts on behalf of the Presidio.
  The ranking member, Mr. Miller, has been a defender of the Presidio 
for many years. As always, I am grateful for his leadership, advice, 
and support. Phil Burton would be proud of his part in this effort. I 
also appreciate the cooperation of Chairman Don Young.
  I also want to thank the members who believe in H.R. 1296 and 
cosponsored the bill: Mr. Gilman, Mr. Horn, Mr. Gallegly, Mr. 
Radanovich, Mr. Bereuter, and Mr. Lantos. I appreciate their confidence 
in the Presidio Trust and their desire to see this bill passed by 
Congress.


                        A Rich Military History

  Many of you are familiar with the Presidio, and many of you have 
visited or served in the military at the Presidio. It represents a 
harmony of history that spans a history as old as our democracy. Since 
1776, the Presidio has served under the flags of three nations--Spain, 
Mexico, and the United States.
  This rich military history is blended with a cultural landscape which 
includes the Ohlone Indians who lived in the area 5,000 years before 
the Spanish arrived, the Spanish who colonized California, the American 
pioneers who settled the West, followers of the gold rush, and 
immigrants from Asia and soldiers returning from war whose first sight 
of home was the Presidio.
  The Presidio has played a role in every major American military 
conflict since the Mexican-American War. In 1898, thousands of troops 
camped in tent cities awaiting shipment to the Philippines. The 
returning wounded were treated in the Army's first permanent general 
hospital--now Letterman Hospital.
  With the attack on Pearl Harbor, the United States entered World War 
II, and Presidio soldiers dug foxholes along nearby beaches. Almost 2 
million soldiers embarked from the Presidio to fight in the Pacific. In 
the 1950's the Nike missile defense system was situated around the 
Golden Gate and the Presidio became the headquarters for the 6th Army. 
Troops from the Presidio have come to the aid of San Franciscans during 
two major earthquakes. The U.S. Army has been a good neighbor and we 
appreciate its important contribution to our community and service to 
our Nation.


                       An Environmental Treasure

  Speaking objectively, the Presidio's natural environment and its 
scenic panoramas are unsurpassed in the world. At the confluence of the 
Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay, the Presidio anchors the Golden 
Gate--a symbol to west coast immigrants much like the Statue of 
Liberty.
  The Presidio's natural areas are a refuge to native plants and 
wildlife. Its urban forest of almost one-half million trees planted by 
the Army over 100 years ago is surrounded by 

[[Page H 9102]]
acres of sand dunes and coastal bluffs. It is the site of the world's 
only urban biosphere reserve designated by the United Nations. This 
natural backdrop provides recreational activities and opportunities for 
outdoor exploration to the Presidio's many visitors.
  The Golden Gate National Recreation Area, of which the Presidio is a 
part, is the most visited national park in the system--with over 20 
million annual visitors. Visitation to the Presidio is expected to 
double within the next few years to reach approximately 9 million 
people.
  While this presents only a snapshot of the Presidio, I hope it gives 
you an image of the graceful contours--the historic, cultural, and 
natural elements--that embrace a special place.


                           from post to park

  Through the initiative of former Representative Phillip Burton, 
Congress in 1972 authorized the creation of the Golden Gate National 
Recreation Area [GGNRA], a magnificent collection of park and historic 
sites surrounding San Francisco's Golden Gate--Public Law 92-589.
  Creation of the GGNRA, along with Gateway NRA in New York, was 
championed by President Nixon in his belief that parks should be 
brought to the people. There was strong bipartisan support in Congress 
for these urban national park initiatives when they were approved in 
1972.
  The Presidio of San Francisco was included in the GGNRA authorization 
so that its lands would also be incorporated into the GGNRA when no 
longer required by the Department of Defense [DOD]. The language in 
Public Law 92-589 states: ``When all or any substantial portion of the 
remainder of the Presidio is determined by the Department of Defense to 
be in excess of its needs, such lands shall be transferred to the 
jurisdiction of the Secretary (of Interior) for the purposes of this 
Act.''
  In 1988, the Presidio was included in the first round of base 
closures recommended by the Base Realignment and Closure Commission--
BRAC I--Public Law 100-526. Subsequent to this recommendation, BRAC II 
recommended that the 6th Army Headquarters be retained at the Presidio 
on an interim basis and under a lease agreement with the National Park 
Service. An agreement was negotiated and later withdrawn by a DOD 
decision to permanently relocate the 6th Army Headquarters elsewhere.
  In the 5 years following this decision, hundreds of people from the 
local community participated in the planning sessions to develop the 
general management plan. In 1993, I introduced H.R. 3433 to create a 
new management entity, a trust, to lease Presidio properties in 
cooperation with the National Park Service. The concept of a trust was 
included in the National Park Service Presidio General Management Plan 
[GMP] and, hearings were conducted by the House Subcommittee on 
National Parks on May 10, 1994, and H.R. 3433 was passed by the House 
on August 18, 1994, by a vote of 245 to 168.
  H.R. 3433 was approved unanimously--20 to 0--by the Senate Committee 
on Energy and Natural Resources on September 21, 1994. The Senate 
failed to complete action on H.R. 3433 in the final days of the 103d 
Congress. On September 30, 1994, the Presidio officially became part of 
the GGNRA.


                           where we are today

  H.R. 1296, to create a Presidio trust, was introduced on March 22, 
1995, represents a bipartisan effort to merge economic reality with 
park stewardship in order to maximize revenue potential and minimize 
the cost to American taxpayers. I believe the legislation achieves 
these twin goals in its plan to, for the first time, actually reduce 
Federal costs for a national park.
  Concerns were raised last year about the cost of operating the 
Presidio under the National Park Service. The majority and minority in 
this Congress have worked to address many of these concerns. The 
version of H.R. 1296 before you today reflects many areas of compromise 
which are intended to protect taxpayers as well as to preserve the 
unique qualities of the Presidio that I have described. Again, I would 
like to emphasize the importance of providing a workable period of time 
in which the Presidio trust could demonstrate its success. The 
Pennsylvania Avenue Development Corporation [PADC] engaged in a similar 
rehabilitation project to restore the Avenue of the Presidents here in 
our nation's capital. It took over 20 years to accomplish the 
restoration, but it is done and it is a success. Chairman Hansen has 
been very supportive in his efforts to develop a framework for success. 
I hope these efforts will be continued as the Senate considers H.R. 
1296 so that cost reduction remains a primary goal, but also so that we 
create a model equipped with a time frame sufficient to meet the 
challenge before us.


                        supporters of h.r. 1296

  The support for H.R. 1296 covers a broad spectrum--from environmental 
groups, community organizations, and historic preservation groups to 
national business leaders.
  A letter from the National Trust for Historic Preservation states: 
``The Presidio is one of this country's most significant military 
sites, and its cultural, historic and natural resources are 
extraordinary . . . The Presidio needs the catalyst and well-managed 
oversight that only a management vehicle such as the Presidio Trust can 
provide.''
  A letter from the Sierra Club Presidio Task Force states: ``H.R. 1296 
will enable the Presidio to be a sustainable national park unit, 
managed for the benefit of ours and future generations. That is good 
park policy, good fiscal policy and good governmental policy.''
  A letter from people for a GGNRA states: ``Our nation deserves to 
have the Golden Gate, the western entrance to the United States, 
honored with a park that preserves its splendor and its history. All 
the efforts of the private sector are needed to make that preservation 
a success.''
  A letter from San Francisco Tomorrow states: ``In order to preserve 
the historic and scenic Presidio for all people for all time, San 
Francisco Tomorrow endorses the Presidio Trust to enable the Presidio 
National Park to pay its own way with minimal dependence on public 
funds.''
  A letter cosigned by some of the Nation's leading CEO's and business 
leaders states: ``We strongly support legislation currently before your 
committee that would bring efficient, business-like management and 
cost-effective financing to the Presidio, a National Historic Landmark 
and National Park at California's scenic Golden Gate.''
  The list goes on to include many more supporters--the League of Women 
Voters, the Governor of California, the mayor of San Francisco; a 
complete list of neighborhood organizations and other groups is 
included for the Record.
  This picture of the Presidio and the GGNRA, of which it is a part, 
would be incomplete without mentioning the work of Amy Meyer who has 
been engaged in efforts to preserve the GGNRA and Presidio for almost 
25 years. There are hundreds of others who were involved in the 5-year 
planning process for the Presidio. Community leaders from San Francisco 
have also devoted their considerable talents and time to participate in 
the community and in Congressional hearings on behalf of the Presido 
Trust. They are stalwarts beyond comparison and I greatly appreciate 
their hard work.


                   pro bono and philanthropic support

  The concept of a Presidio trust is based on the independent study of 
19 management models which recommended this particular paradigm as 
workable at the Presidio. All of these studies emphasized the need for 
autonomy, flexibility, long-term leasing and private sector expertise. 
The Presidio trust concept was then embraced by the National Park 
Service in its Presidio general management plan. The Presidio has 
probably been the subject of more independent analyses than any base 
closure in the country. The list of private sector, pro bono 
consultants who have reviewed this project include Arthur Anderson & 
Co., McKinsey & Co., Keyser Marston Associates, Mancini-Mills, Morrison 
and Foerster and Curtis Feeny of the Stanford Management Co. They have 
consistently recommended the management structure outlined in H.R. 
1296.
  In addition to the efforts provided by these consultants, 
considerable pro bono services--amounting to almost $4 million--have 
been provided to the Presidio. This effort was begun by the Presidio 
council, comprised of prominent professionals from the fields of 
business, finance, education, environment, architecture and planning, 
government and philanthropy and chaired by James Harvey, chairman of 
TransAmerica. These national leaders organized in 1991 to provide 
planning assistance to the park service and to solicit contributions to 
the Presidio.
  This philanthropic campaign is continuing under the leadership of the 
Golden Gate National Park Association [GGNPA] where over $15 million 
has been raised for the GGNRA since 1982 and another $10 million is 
expected to be raised for Presidio improvements to supplement the major 
philanthropic effort. A major requirement for philanthropic support is 
creation of a Presidio trust to manage the Presidio's properties.


                     Confirmation of Marketability

  H.R. 1296 includes a deadline for total self sufficiency in 12 years. 
While I recognize the need for the trust to achieve self sufficiency 
over a given time period, I must add that the time frame outlined in 
H.R. 1296 is not supported by any of the independent studies that have 
been conducted on the Presidio's financial viability.
  Because of the need to reduce costs and to demonstrate the intent to 
reduce costs in the legislation, advice was sought from a known real 
estate entity which faced a challenge 

[[Page H 9103]]

similar to the Presidio's. An independent analyst was engaged to review 
the park service figures and to determine the financial basis on which 
the legislation could stand.
  After reviewing the Presidio's properties, the analysis confirmed the 
Presidio's marketability and revenue potential, and that revenues of 
between $15 to $25 million could be generated within a 12- to 15-year 
period. In testimony before the Senate, Curtis Feeny, vice president 
for real estate with the Stanford Management Co. stated: ``The key to 
meeting the financial challenge posed by the Presidio is to capture the 
value of the property in the form of capital that can then be used to 
improve and maintain the park. I believe the value of the Presidio's 
real estate, if used in combination with cost reduction measures, will 
enable the Presidio's built environment to pay its own way over time.''


                               h.r. 1296

  The Presidio trust would provide for the long-term lease of buildings 
to rent-paying tenants. There are over 800 structures at the Presidio, 
comprising more than 6 million square feet of space, most of which 
possess revenue potential to sustain the Presidio's real estate and to 
realize a savings to the Federal Government. Over half of these 
structures are historic. Revenues from leases would be retained and 
used to offset costs at the Presidio, reducing the need for federal 
appropriations. Capital improvements would be financed primarily from 
private sources and tenant financing.
  The trust would be governed by a board of seven members, including 
the Secretary of the Interior and members from the fields of property 
and financial management and resource conservation. Congress would have 
oversight of the trust with the requirement that an annual report and 
audit be conducted. At the end of 10 years,the General Accounting 
Office would conduct a comprehensive audit of the trust's financial 
activities. The Presidio trust would be subject to the provisions of 
the Government Corporation Control Act. The net effect of this 
financing structure would sustain the trust and reduce overall park 
operations and the need for federal appropriations.
  A number of protections are provided in H.R. 1296 which would 
restrict development of the Presidio and ensure public participation. 
Under the legislation, public access and open space are preserved. The 
Golden Gate National Recreation Advisory Commission would continue its 
role as a conduit for public comment and information. At least one 
annual public board meeting in San Francisco would be required.
  The trust would comply with the National Historic Act and the 
National Environmental Policy Act. There are no exemptions for its 
operations and nothing in this bill would affect the national historic 
landmark status of the Presidio. The trust must also act in accordance 
with the GGNRA's park purposes identified in the enabling legislation 
and the general objectives of the general management plan. I might add 
that it is unique in the legislative process to reference a general 
management plan at all and the inclusion of this language is considered 
extraordinary.
  Limits on new construction are included in the leasing and management 
program to be developed jointly by the trust and the park service. No 
board member is to have any financial interest in the Presidio and all 
board members must comply with the requirements of the Ethics in 
Government Act and Federal financial disclosure policy. In short, Mr. 
Speaker, the laws that apply to the GGNRA also apply to the trust.
  H.R. 1296 costs less than last year's bill because rehabilitation 
costs are transferred to tenants. Costs are further reduced through 
streamlined management, aggressive leasing, long-term leases, more 
demolition, broader tenancies and phased-in code compliance. Last 
year's cost estimates included both operations and capital improvements 
which resulted in a higher figure that many assumed was for operations 
only. Operations would be substantially reduced through creation of the 
Presidio trust and most capital costs would be borne by tenants.
  The Presidio trust would manage the revenue-producing properties with 
the goal of self-sufficiency in a national park context and the 
National Park Service would operate the open-space areas of the 
Presidio. While the National Park Service has been a good steward of 
the Presidio, I believe a stronger effort is warranted on their part to 
recognize the fiscal reality that exists and to take immediate steps to 
reduce costs. In light of the progress on H.R. 1296 in Congress, I hope 
plans are underway to downscale operations, administrative costs and 
staff so that the trust will have the benefit of maximizing the federal 
investment in the Presidio. Park service costs can be cut and they 
should be--starting now.
  A hearing on H.R. 1296 was conducted by the Subcommittee on National 
Parks, Forests and Lands on May 16, 1995, and the legislation was 
marked up by the subcommittee on June 27, 1995. The full Resources 
Committee reported H.R. 1296 on July 12, 1995, for floor consideration. 
In addition to this committee review of the legislation, many members 
of the Appropriations and Resources Committees in the House and Senate 
have visited the Presidio to review its progress.
  Crafted in the context of our current fiscal and political landscape, 
H.R. 1296 is a reflection of cost consciousness, innovative thinking, 
bipartisan cooperation, and a strong appreciation for the natural and 
historic landscape with which we, as members of our Nation's highest 
representative body, have been temporarily entrusted.
  Mr. Speaker, as a member of the Appropriations Committee, I 
understand quite well the difficulty that each of us faces in the 
current fiscal environment. We must reduce spending where we can and in 
such a way as to protect our people and our national heritage. Our 
charge is to be both cost conscious and innovative.
  For nearly 150 years, the Federal Government has invested in the 
Presidio as an Army post; this investment should be protected. The best 
way to protect this asset is by creating a management and financial 
mechanism that will enable the Presidio to be used and to pay for 
itself.
  H.R. 1296 is a good government approach that recognizes fiscal 
realities and offers a less costly, private-sector approach to 
management of our important federal assets at the Presidio. It provides 
a means to utilize valuable real estate assets to underwrite a broader 
public purpose.
  In closing, Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my many colleagues who have 
made a special effort to learn more about the Presidio and the concept 
of the trust. Members of the San Francisco community also deserve great 
praise for their constant support and efforts on behalf of preserving 
the Presidio for future generations. Our actions today are in keeping 
with the leadership of Phillip Burton to preserve this great national 
treasure.
  I further want to acknowledge the U.S. Army for creating the rich 
historic and environmental resource it is today. They planted the 
trees, preserved our history, trained our soldiers, and left a great 
legacy to our nation.
  Thank you, Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this cost-
saving measure. Vote ``yes'' on H.R. 1296.

                       Support for Presidio Trust


                            business leaders

       AirTouch Communications.
       Bank of America NT & SA.
       Basic American, Inc.
       Bay Area Council.
       Bay Area Economic Forum.
       The Gap, Inc.
       The Glen Ellen Company.
       Richard Goldman & Co.
       Hellman and Friedman.
       Hispanic Contractors Association.
       International Wine Marketing Association.
       Lane Publishing.
       Leach Capital.
       McKesson Corporation.
       Pacific Gas and Electric Company.
       Presidio Council.
       San Francisco Chamber of Commerce.
       San Francisco Hispanice Chamber of Commerce.
       Scotch Plywood Co.
       Swinerton & Walberg.
       Texas Pacific Group.
       Transamerica Corporation.


                      community and civic leaders

       Governor Wilson, State of California.
       State Assembly, California Legislature.
       Mayor Jordan, City of San Francisco.
       Board of Supervisors, City of San Francisco.
       Bret Harte Terrace and Francisco Street Neighborhood 
     Association.
       Golden Gate National Park Association.
       League of Women Voters of California.
       League of Women Voters of San Francisco.
       League of Women Voters of the United States.
       Los Californianos.
       Neighborhood Associations for Presidio Planning.
       North Beach Neighbors.
       People for a Golden Gate National Recreation Area.
       Presidio Heights Association of Neighbors.
       San Francisco Bay Area Interfaith Coalition.
       San Francisco Planning and Urban Research Association.


                          other organizations

       American Institute of Architects.
       American Society of Landscape Architects.
       Asian American Architects and Engineers.
       Earth Island Institute.
       Environmental Defense Fund Fort Mason Center.
       Golden Gate National Recreation Area and Point Reyes 
     National Seashore Advisory Commission.
       Laborers' International Union of North America.
       League of Conservation Voters.
       National Park System Advisory Board.
       National Parks and Conservation Association.
       National Japanese American Historical Society.
       Natural Resources Defense Council.
       Sierra Club.

[[Page H 9104]]

       Travel Industry Association of America.
       Trust for Public Land.
       The Wilderness Society.
       William Penn Mott, Jr Memorial Fund.

  Mr. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from 
California [Mr. Miller].
  Mr. MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for 
yielding, and I really rise to thank the members of the committee who 
have worked so terribly hard on behalf of this legislation. It has 
taken a great deal of tenacity and it has taken a great deal of 
patience to bring this legislation to the floor but it is clear that 
this legislation is in the best interest of the Nation and it is in the 
best interest of the Presidio.
  One need only stop for a moment at the Presidio to recognize 
immediately why this wonderful, wonderful national asset has such broad 
popular support across the Nation from every conceivable part of 
American society, but bringing all those disparate parts together is 
hard work and takes a great deal of patience and a great deal of 
counsel. Our colleague, the gentlewoman from California, Congresswoman 
Pelosi, provided the strategy, the counsel, and the patience; and our 
colleague, the gentleman from Utah, [Mr. Hansen], provided the counsel 
and a great deal of patience in dealing with this legislation.
  What has emerged is a bipartisan piece of legislation supported by 
every level of government, every level of citizen group, every level of 
national organization for the preservation for the Presidio. There was 
no question that the Presidio was going to become a park. That has been 
done. The question and the challenge has been how can we best support 
that park, finance that park and deliver all of the assets and all of 
the uses of the park to the American people and to those of us who live 
in the San Francisco Bay area. This legislation achieves those goals 
while trying to get the very best bang for the buck for the taxpayers 
and trying to make sure that we can maintain all of the reasons and all 
of the assets of the Presidio that make it such a charming addition, an 
important addition to the Park Service, and to the cultural history of 
this Nation and of the bay area that that long history will be 
preserved with this legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, this is an important piece of legislation. There really 
is no other alternative. This legislation was born out of months and 
weeks and hours of deliberations of other ways of meeting the goals and 
the needs of support for the Presidio, and that is what has emerged out 
of those deliberations. I would hope that the House would support it 
overwhelmingly. I would hope that they recognize that if this is 
successful, this is, in fact, the blueprint for how we can work out 
arrangements for other assets within the Federal Government's park 
system and preserve system so that they can be both utilized and they 
can be properly supported so that we will not diminish their value, 
their characteristics, and their importance to both the Nation and to 
the regions.
  Mr. Speaker, I also would like to thank Judy Lemons, who has worked 
terribly hard, Steve Hodapp, who came at this, with all of the support 
and efforts and difference of views of various constituency groups, and 
allowed us to fashion this legislation. I urge my colleagues to support 
it.
  Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume to 
again commend the gentlewoman from California [Ms. Pelosi] for the fine 
work that she has done on this. I do not know if the people in the bay 
area realize the hundreds of hours she and her staff put into this and 
they should be very proud of her work. Without her work, I would 
guarantee Members this would not be in front of us today. There is no 
question, she is a very persistent legislator.
  Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back 
the balance of my time.
  Mr. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  In summary, I want to reiterate what the chairman of the subcommittee 
said. I think the gentlewoman from California [Ms. Pelosi] and the 
gentleman from California [Mr. Miller] who has worked many years on 
this bill, many, many years to get it through, I think they deserve 
enormous credit and we should pass this bill. It is good legislation. I 
think we can look at it to deal with other issues as we look at dealing 
with parks in the future, instead of park closure commissions. I think 
this is a good bill, and I have no further requests for time.
  Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, for those of you who might not be familiar 
with the Presidio, it is the southern anchorage of the Golden Gate 
Bridge and the centerpiece of the Golden Gate National Recreation 
Area--the most visited national park in the entire National Park 
System.
  The entire Presidio was designated a National Historic Landmark in 
1962. It is a showcase of architectural styles dating from the Civil 
War. It contains 876 structures, over half of which are of historic or 
cultural significance.
  In addition, the Presidio is the only United Nations designated 
International Biosphere in an urban area. It is home to 21 rare and 
endangered species and 10 rare plant communities that have disappeared 
in the rest of San Francisco. It encompasses 300 acres of historic 
forest planted by the U.S. Army over 100 years ago. Sites throughout 
the Presidio provide spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean, the Golden 
Gate Bridge, Marin headlands, San Francisco Bay, and the skyline of San 
Francisco. It is adjacent to the largest marine sanctuary chain in the 
world.
  The Presidio is unique in its historical, cultural, and natural 
reach. If you have not seen it, you should. It is a dramatic site that 
you will never forget.
  H.R. 1296 protects these resources, through a Presidio Trust, while 
requiring cost-effective management of the Presidio. Vote for H.R. 
1296.
  Mr. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Foley). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from Utah [Mr. Hansen] that the House suspend 
the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 1296, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 5 of rule I and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

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