[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 18 (Wednesday, February 12, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S1309]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. FORD:

  S. 312. A bill to revise the boundary of the Abraham Lincoln 
Birthplace National Historic Site in Larue County, KY, and for other 
purposes; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.


                      KNOB CREEK FARM LEGISLATION

  Mr. FORD. Mr. President, on this the 188th anniversary of the birth 
of Abraham Lincoln, 16th President of the United States of America and 
one of Kentucky's greatest native sons, I am introducing legislation to 
expand the boundaries of the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National 
Historic Site to include Knob Creek Farm, Lincoln's boyhood home from 
the ages of 2 to nearly 8. Located in Larue County near Hodgenville, 
KY, Knob Creek Farm is where President Lincoln learned some of his 
earliest lessons of life; lessons which helped mold the man who would 
go on to lead our Nation through one of the most important and trying 
periods in American history. I feel it is appropriate to honor the 
legacy of this great leader by including Knob Creek Farm in the 
National Historic Site.
  Under this legislation, the cost of acquiring Knob Creek Farm would 
not fall to the American taxpayer, but would instead be borne by the 
private sector. The National Park Trust, a private land conservancy 
dedicated to protecting America's natural and historical treasures, has 
been raising private funds and is currently negotiating to purchase the 
228-acre family-owned farm, located approximately 10 miles from the 
existing Historic Site. After acquiring the farm, which is listed on 
the National Register of Historic Places, the trust would donate the 
land to the Park Service.
  Thomas Jefferson once wrote, ``A morsel of genuine history is a thing 
so rare as to be always valuable.'' Well, Mr. President, I think Knob 
Creek Farm represents just such a morsel, and including it in the 
Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historic Site will allow current 
and future generations of Americans to share in the rare educational 
value of this historical property.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be 
printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                 S. 312

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

     SECTION 1. REVISION OF BOUNDARY OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN BIRTHPLACE 
                   NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE.

       (a) In General.--On acquisition of the land known as Knob 
     Creek Farm pursuant to subsection (b), the boundary of the 
     Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historic Site, 
     established by the Act of July 17, 1916 (39 Stat. 385, 
     chapter 247; 16 U.S.C. 211 et seq.), is revised to include 
     the land.
       (b) Acquisition of Knob Creek Farm.--The Secretary of the 
     Interior may acquire, by donation only, the approximately 228 
     acres of land known as Knob Creek Farm in Larue County, 
     Kentucky.

     SEC. 2. STUDY OF SURROUNDING RESOURCES.

       (a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall study the area 
     between and surrounding the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace 
     National Historic Site and the Knob Creek Farm in Larue 
     County, Kentucky.
       (b) Purpose.--The purpose of the study shall be to--
       (1) protect the resources of the Knob Creek Farm from 
     incompatible adjacent land uses; and
       (2) identify significant resources associated with the 
     early boyhood of Abraham Lincoln.
       (c) Considerations of Area Studied.--In examining the area 
     under study, the Secretary shall consider--
       (1) whether the area--
       (A) possesses nationally significant natural, cultural, or 
     recreational resources;
       (B) represents an important example of a particular 
     resource type in the country;
       (C) is a suitable and feasible addition to the National 
     Park System; and
       (D) is appropriate to ensure long-term resource protection 
     and visitor use;
       (2) the public use potential of the area;
       (3) the potential outdoor recreational opportunity provided 
     by the area;
       (4) the interpretive and educational potential of the area;
       (5) costs associated with the acquisition, development, and 
     operation of the area;
       (6) the socioeconomic impacts of a designation of the area 
     as part of the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historic 
     Site; and
       (7) the level of local and general public support for 
     designating the area as part of the Abraham Lincoln 
     Birthplace National Historic Site.
       (d) Resources of Area Studied.--In examining a resource of 
     the area under study, the Secretary shall consider--
       (1) the rarity and integrity of the resource;
       (2) the threats to the resource, and
       (3) whether similar resources are already protected in the 
     National Park System or in other Federal, State, or private 
     ownership.
       (e) Management.--
       (1) In general.--The study shall consider whether direct 
     National Park Service management or alternative protection by 
     other agencies or the private sector is appropriate for the 
     area under study.
       (2) Identification of alternatives.--The study shall 
     identify which alternative or combination of alternatives 
     would be most effective and efficient in protecting 
     significant resources and providing for public enjoyment.
       (f) Submission.--The Secretary shall submit the study to 
     the Committee on Resources of the House of Representatives 
     and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the 
     State.

     SEC. 8. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are 
     necessary to carry out this Act.
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