[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 141 (Thursday, October 3, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S12351-S12352]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                THE VANCOUVER NATIONAL HISTORIC RESERVE

 Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, I want to express my sincere 
pleasure that the Vancouver National Historic Reserve will be 
established as a result of the enactment of legislation by this 
Congress.
  We have worked for several years in a bipartisan fashion to establish 
this important historic site in Vancouver, WA. This vision for 
cooperative management of the historic resources at Fort Vancouver 
began with the city of Vancouver and former Congresswoman Jolene 
Unsoeld. Congresswoman Unsoeld had the vision, leadership, and 
determination to develop a broadly supported plan to preserve and 
promote several chapters in the colorful history of the Pacific 
Northwest.
  This proposal has been 10 years in the making. Throughout these 
years, the vision has been for a collaborative effort between the city 
of Vancouver, the Army, and the National Park Service. In recognition 
of the opportunity to coordinate the management and interpretation of 
the historic areas around Fort Vancouver, Congress in 1990 established 
the Vancouver Historic Study Commission to develop a plan for the area 
and make a recommendation to Congress. In 1993, the five members of the 
commission--representing the National Park Service, City of Vancouver, 
Army, State Historic Preservation Office, and the public-at-large--
unanimously approved a strategy for the area. The commission's report 
called for the establishment of a Vancouver National Historic Reserve. 
The reserve would be cooperatively managed by the various public owners 
of the area through the Vancouver partnership. Key controversies such 
as the continued operation of Pearson Airpark were addressed and 
thoughtfully resolved.
  Legislation to implement the commission's recommendations was 
introduced in 1994 by former Congresswoman Unsoeld but was unable to 
pass in the closing days of the 103d Congress. In an effort to maintain 
progress on the historic area, the city entered into a memorandum of 
agreement with the National Park Service regarding the operation of the 
area on November 4, 1995. Nevertheless, legislation was still needed to 
implement the MOA and the commission's recommendations.

[[Page S12352]]

  During this Congress, we have worked with the city and the Park 
Service in a bipartisan fashion to address outstanding concerns and 
develop legislation to effectively establish the reserve. Senator 
Gorton and I, and Congresswoman Smith, introduced bills to establish 
the reserve. When the committee began to develop an omnibus parks bill, 
Senator Gorton and I worked to include the Vancouver Historic Reserve 
and were successful. The simplified version of our bill included in the 
omnibus measure raised concerns for the Park Service and was improved 
during the conference with the House.
  As last-minute negotiations on this omnibus parks bill progressed, 
there was some miscommunication regarding the administration's support 
for the Vancouver National Historic Reserve. As is now clear, the 
administration fully supports the establishment of the reserve and 
supports it's inclusion in this omnibus measure. And so do I. I look 
forward to the development of the Vancouver partnership and the 
coordinated management it will bring to the historic treasures of 
Vancouver, WA. Treasures of the entire Pacific Northwest that must be 
preserved for future generations.
  The Vancouver National Historic Reserve is truly ``Once Place Across 
Time''. From the Native American cultures and communities that lived 
and traded in the region for over 100 centuries to Lewis and Clark's 
expedition and the Hudson Bay Company's fur trade, the areas of the 
Vancouver National Historic Reserve are at the foundation of the 
history and the legacy of the Pacific Northwest and the great State of 
Washington. Our journey from these beginnings through the decades is 
also visible through Fort Vancouver, the Vancouver Army Barracks and 
Officer's Row, and Pearson Airfield.
  The multiple layers of history tells us so much about our region and 
ourselves. I look forward to the sense of continuity the reserve will 
bring to the history of this place. The connection of people and places 
across the span of time will bring an improved sense of place to this 
wonderful area of our region and the Nation.

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