[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 21 (Thursday, March 5, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E305]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            EXPANSION OF THE FORT CLATSOP NATIONAL MEMORIAL

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                          HON. ELIZABETH FURSE

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 5, 1998

  Ms. FURSE. Mr. Chairman, members of the committee, today I am 
introducing legislation to allow for the expansion of Fort Clatsop 
National Memorial in the First District on Oregon. The Memorial was 
established through an Act of Congress in 1958. With communities all 
across America beginning to prepare for the centennial of the Lewis and 
Clark expedition, it is important that we pass this bill as soon as 
possible.
  The present Memorial marks the spot where Meriwether Lewis, William 
Clark and Corps of Discovery spent 106 days during the winter of 1805. 
The Bicentennial of their historic journey is fast approaching and the 
Commissioners of Clatsop County and the Memorial's management 
approached me for assistance in preparation planning. Clatsop County 
currently owns the terminal piece of the Lewis and Clark Trail, known 
today as Sunset Beach, located nearby the Memorial itself. The County 
Commissioners would like to be able to donate this last piece of the 
Trail to the Memorial.
  It has been established a quarter of a million people will visit Fort 
Clatsop National Memorial each of the two bicentennial summers, 2004 
and 2005. It is imperative that solid preparation be made to 
accommodate this influx and permit the visitors not only to enjoy 
following in the footsteps of Lewis and Clark, but also avoid negative 
impacts that unplanned movement of visitors might create.
  Unfortunately, the act of Congress which created the Memorial limited 
its size to 130 acres. This bill would permit the size of the Memorial 
to expand, in conjunction with the Memorial's General Management Plan 
of 1995, and permits acquisition of land through willing trade, sale or 
donation. The Clatsop County Commission gives this legislation its 
unanimous support and the entire North Coast community eagerly awaits 
its passage.
  I will work closely with my colleagues on the authorizing Committee 
to pass this legislation which will benefit my constituents in Oregon, 
and urge the entire House to support it.

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