[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 86 (Friday, June 26, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S7260]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. MURKOWSKI:
  S. 2241. A bill to provide for the acquisition of lands formerly 
occupied by the Franklin D. Roosevelt family at Hyde Park, New York, 
and for other purposes; to the Committee on Energy and Natural 
Resources.


         franklin d. roosevelt family historic site legislation

 Mr. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, on behalf of the Administration, 
today I introduce legislation to provide for the acquisition of lands 
formerly occupied by the Franklin D. Roosevelt family at Hyde Park, New 
York, and for other purposes.
  I ask unanimous consent that the Administration's letter of 
transmittal and a section-by-section analysis of the legislation be 
printed in the Record for the information of my colleagues.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

                                  U.S. Department of the Interior,


                                      Office of the Secretary,

                                     Washington, DC, May 26, 1998.
     Hon. Albert Gore Jr.,
     President of the Senate,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. President: Enclosed is a draft bill ``To provide 
     for the acquisition of lands formerly occupied by the 
     Franklin D. Roosevelt family at Hyde Park, New York, and for 
     other purposes.''
       We recommend the bill be introduced, referred to the 
     appropriate committee, and enacted.
       The purpose of the legislation is to allow the Secretary of 
     the Interior to acquire lands and interests therein that were 
     owned by Franklin Delano Roosevelt or his family at the time 
     of his death, as depicted on the map referenced in the bill, 
     by means of purchase using appropriated or donated funds, by 
     donation, or exchange. The lands would be added to and 
     managed as part of the Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt National 
     Historic Site or the Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic 
     Site.
       This would expand the current acquisition authority at the 
     Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site. 
     Currently the Secretary's authority to acquire land owned by 
     FDR or his family at the time of his death is by means of 
     donation only. The National Park Service's priority at the 
     site would continue to be land acquisition by donation. With 
     regard to the property where Roosevelt's Top Cottage is 
     situated, the National Park Service would acquire such 
     property by donation only. This bill, upon enactment, would 
     allow the use of appropriated funds for purchase of lands 
     where donation is infeasible.
       The Office of Management and Budget has advised that there 
     is no objection to the enactment of the enclosed draft 
     legislation from the standpoint of the Administration's 
     program.
           Sincerely,

                                                 Donald Barry,

                                    Acting Assistant Secretary for
                                      Fish and Wildlife and Parks.

    Section-by-Section Analysis--Franklin Delano Roosevelt National 
         Historic Site/Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site

       Section 1. Provides the Secretary of the Interior authority 
     to acquire lands and/or interests in lands owned by Franklin 
     Delano Roosevelt or his family at the time of his death. The 
     property may be acquired by purchase using donated or 
     appropriated funds, by donation or otherwise. This revises 
     current authority that only allows acquisition by donation.
       Section 2. States that any land acquired will be 
     administered as part of the Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt 
     National Historic Site or as part of the Eleanor Roosevelt 
     National Historic Site, as appropriate.
       Section 3. Provides authority for funds to be appropriated 
     to carry out the Act.
                                 ______