[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 107 (Monday, August 3, 1998)]
[House]
[Pages H6913-H6914]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       AUTHORIZING EXPANSION OF FORT DAVIS NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE

  Mr. JONES. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill 
(H.R. 3047) to authorize expansion of Fort Davis National Historic Site 
in Fort Davis, Texas, by 16 acres.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 3047

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

     SECTION 1. EXPANSION OF FORT DAVIS HISTORIC SITE, FORT DAVIS, 
                   TEXAS.

       The Act entitled ``An Act Authorizing the establishment of 
     a national historic site at Fort Davis, Jeff Davis County, 
     Texas'', approved September 8, 1961 (75 Stat. 488; 16 U.S.C. 
     461 note), is amended in the first section by striking ``not 
     to exceed four hundred and sixty acres'' and inserting ``not 
     to exceed 476 acres''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
North Carolina (Mr. Jones) and the

[[Page H6914]]

gentleman from American Samoa (Mr. Faleomavaega) each will control 20 
minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Jones).
  Mr. JONES. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  (Mr. JONES asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. JONES. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3047 is a bill introduced by the 
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Bonilla). The gentleman from Texas has worked 
hard on this bill which addresses an important historical site in 
Texas.
  H.R. 3047 would authorize the expansion of Fort Davis National 
Historic Site by 16 acres by increasing the ``not to exceed'' acreage 
clause in the current enabling legislation which prevents the 
historical site from expanding. The acreage to be acquired is needed to 
protect the site's historic setting and viewshed. Of particular note, 
no federally appropriated funds are requested for this land 
acquisition.
  I strongly urge my colleagues to support passage of H.R. 3047.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  (Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA asked and was given permission to revise and extend 
his remarks.)
  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, this proposed legislation now before 
us was introduced by the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Bonilla). The bill, 
H.R. 3047, authorizes the addition of 16 acres to the Fort Davis 
National Historic Site in Texas.
  This is a measure that the National Park Service testified in favor 
of at the hearing that was held before our Subcommittee on National 
Parks and Public Lands. I understand that the 16 acres in question is 
being acquired by a third party and will be donated to the park once 
the necessary authorization is received.
  Mr. Speaker, I support the passage of this legislation and I urge my 
colleagues to do likewise.
  Mr. BONILLA. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this legislation. I 
would like to thank Chairman Young for his cooperation and assistance 
in moving this bill through his committee.
  Fort Davis is located in the heart of West Texas, nestled in an area 
that is very scenic in its own rough and rugged way. I am very proud to 
represent this area, and I would invite my colleagues to visit the area 
to see the beauty for yourself.
  The fort was a key post in the defense of West Texas and thus played 
a major role in this region's history. From 1854 to 1891, troops at the 
post guarded immigrants, freighters and stagecoaches on the San 
Antonio-El Paso road. Fort Davis is the best remaining example in the 
Southwest of the typical post-Civil War frontier fort. The post has 
extensive surviving structures and ruins.
  My bill would permit a simple 16 acre expansion of the historical 
site. This legislation is necessary because the original legislation 
limited the historic site to 460 acres.
  The particular parcel of land that would be added to the site is 
known as Sleeping Lion Mountain. This land overlooks the park's 
historic landmarks. The land is slated to be donated to the National 
Park Service by the Conservation Fund. The land has been purchased by 
the Conservation Fund. They secured the funds from several private 
foundations to purchase the land. The purchase of the land was 
completed in April and they are simply waiting for us to act.
  The tract is adjacent to the fort's southern boundary and I believe 
that the inclusion of this tract of land into the site would ensure the 
visual and historic integrity for this state and national treasure.
  This park expansion has the blessing of the local community and is 
also supported by the Texas Historical Commission. As you can see this 
is a simple piece of legislation to allow for a minor park expansion. 
This would allow us to preserve a very important piece of our heritage 
and history in West Texas.
  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. JONES. Mr. Speaker, I have no requests for time, and I yield back 
the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Jones) that the House suspend the 
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 3047.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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