[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 82 (Thursday, June 6, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1011]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                RANCH A

                                 ______


                           HON. BARBARA CUBIN

                               of wyoming

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 5, 1996

  Mrs. CUBIN. Mr. Speaker, today, I am introducing legislation which 
will transfer property known as Ranch A to the State of Wyoming. The 
facility, constructed by the Annenberg family for $600,000 in the 
1930's, was acquired by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service [USFWS] in 
the 1960's for a fish genetics research facility.
  The USFWS research operations were terminated in 1980; fisheries 
development work continued until 1986. The agency then entered into 
agreements for the use of various facilities by Wyoming Game and Fish 
production, South Dakota School of Mines for a training seminar site, 
and Inya Kara Foundation for a troubled youths group home. The Wyoming 
Game and Fish discontinued their fish production at Ranch A in the 
early part of the summer of 1995.
  Currently, USFWS has no operational activities at Ranch A and it is 
unlikely that USFWS will have use for the facilities in the foreseeable 
future. The Region 6 USFWS Director has recommended that the agency 
transfer ownership of Ranch A.
  The concept of a transfer is endorsed by the State of Wyoming, 
Wyoming Gov. Jim Geringer, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Ranch A 
Restoration Foundation, and State Representative Marlene Simons.
  Representative Simons has been a driving force for the foundation 
since the onset of this issue. It has been because of her hard work 
that the reality of a transfer of this property may come to fruition.
  The bill, as introduced, will direct the Secretary of the Interior to 
convey Ranch A to the State of Wyoming without reimbursement, all 
right, title, and interest of the United States. Ranch A consists of 
approximately 680 acres of land and includes property, buildings, 
artworks, historic light fixtures, wildlife mounts, draperies, rugs, 
and furniture.
  The legislation assures the State of Wyoming will provide access to 
the property for institutions of higher education that will benefit not 
only Wyoming, but neighboring States as well.

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