[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 118 (Wednesday, September 9, 1998)]
[House]
[Pages H7435-H7437]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 THOMAS COLE NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE ACT

  Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 3109) to establish the Thomas Cole National Historic Site in 
the State of New York, and for other purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 3109

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

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

       (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Thomas 
     Cole National Historic Site Act''.
       (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of this Act 
     is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Definitions.
Sec. 3. Findings and purposes.
Sec. 4. Establishment of Thomas Cole National Historic Site.
Sec. 5. Retention of ownership and management of historic site by 
              Greene County Historical Society.
Sec. 6. Administration of historic site.
Sec. 7. Authorization of appropriations.

     SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

       As used in this Act:
       (1) The term ``historic site'' means the Thomas Cole 
     National Historic Site established by section 4 of this Act.
       (2) The term ``Hudson River artists'' means artists who 
     were associated with the Hudson River school of landscape 
     painting.
       (3) The term ``plan'' means the general management plan 
     developed pursuant to section 6(d).
       (4) The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of the 
     Interior.
       (5) The term ``Society'' means the Greene County Historical 
     Society of Greene County, New York, which owns the Thomas 
     Cole home, studio, and other property comprising the historic 
     site.

     SEC. 3. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.

       (a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
       (1) The Hudson River school of landscape painting was 
     inspired by Thomas Cole and was characterized by a group of 
     19th century landscape artists who recorded and celebrated 
     the landscape and wilderness of America, particularly in the 
     Hudson River Valley region in the State of New York.
       (2) Thomas Cole is recognized as America's most prominent 
     landscape and allegorical painter of the mid-19th century.
       (3) Located in Greene County, New York, the Thomas Cole 
     House, also known as Thomas Cole's Cedar Grove, is listed on 
     the National Register of Historic Places and has been 
     designated as a National Historic Landmark.
       (4) Within a 15 mile radius of the Thomas Cole House, an 
     area that forms a key part of the rich cultural and natural 
     heritage of the Hudson River Valley region, significant 
     landscapes and scenes painted by Thomas Cole and other Hudson 
     River artists, such as Frederic Church, survive intact.
       (5) The State of New York has established the Hudson River 
     Valley Greenway to promote the preservation, public use, and 
     enjoyment of the natural and cultural resources of the Hudson 
     River Valley region.
       (6) Establishment of the Thomas Cole National Historic Site 
     will provide opportunities for the illustration and 
     interpretation of cultural themes of the heritage of the 
     United States and unique opportunities for education, public 
     use, and enjoyment.
       (b) Purposes.--The purposes of this Act are--
       (1) to preserve and interpret the home and studio of Thomas 
     Cole for the benefit, inspiration, and education of the 
     people of the United States;

[[Page H7436]]

       (2) to help maintain the integrity of the setting in the 
     Hudson River Valley region that inspired artistic expression;
       (3) to coordinate the interpretive, preservation, and 
     recreational efforts of Federal, State, and other entities in 
     the Hudson Valley region in order to enhance opportunities 
     for education, public use, and enjoyment; and
       (4) to broaden understanding of the Hudson River Valley 
     region and its role in American history and culture.

     SEC. 4. ESTABLISHMENT OF THOMAS COLE NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE.

       (a) Establishment.--There is established, as an affiliated 
     area of the National Park System, the Thomas Cole National 
     Historic Site in the State of New York.
       (b) Description.--The historic site shall consist of the 
     home and studio of Thomas Cole, comprising approximately 3.4 
     acres, located at 218 Spring Street, in the village of 
     Catskill, New York, as generally depicted on the boundary map 
     numbered TCH/80002, and dated March 1992.

     SEC. 5. RETENTION OF OWNERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT OF HISTORIC 
                   SITE BY GREENE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY.

       The Greene County Historical Society of Greene County, New 
     York, shall continue to own, manage, and operate the historic 
     site.

     SEC. 6. ADMINISTRATION OF HISTORIC SITE.

       (a) Applicability of National Park System Laws.--The 
     historic site shall be administered by the Society in a 
     manner consistent with this Act and all laws generally 
     applicable to units of the National Park System, including 
     the Act of August 25, 1916 (16 U.S.C. 1 et seq.; commonly 
     known as the National Park Service Organic Act), and the Act 
     of August 21, 1935 (16 U.S.C. 461 et seq.; commonly known as 
     the Historic Sites, Buildings, and Antiquities Act).
       (b) Cooperative Agreements.--
       (1) Assistance to society.--The Secretary may enter into 
     cooperative agreements with the Society to preserve the 
     Thomas Cole House and other structures in the historic site 
     and to assist with education programs and research and 
     interpretation of the Thomas Cole House and associated 
     landscapes.
       (2) Other assistance.--To further the purposes of this Act, 
     the Secretary may enter into cooperative agreements with the 
     State of New York, the Society, the Thomas Cole Foundation, 
     and other public and private entities to facilitate public 
     understanding and enjoyment of the lives and works of the 
     Hudson River artists through the provision of assistance to 
     develop, present, and fund art exhibits, resident artist 
     programs, and other appropriate activities related to the 
     preservation, interpretation, and use of the historic site.
       (c) Artifacts and Property.--
       (1) Personal property generally.--The Secretary may acquire 
     personal property associated with, and appropriate for, the 
     interpretation of the historic site.
       (2) Works of art.--The Secretary may acquire works of art 
     associated with Thomas Cole and other Hudson River artists 
     for the purpose of display at the historic site.
       (d) General Management Plan.--Within two complete fiscal 
     years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the 
     Secretary shall develop a general management plan for the 
     historic site with the cooperation of the Society. Upon the 
     completion of the plan, the Secretary shall provide a copy of 
     the plan to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of 
     the Senate and the Committee on Resources of the House of 
     Representatives. The plan shall include recommendations for 
     regional wayside exhibits, to be carried out through 
     cooperative agreements with the State of New York and other 
     public and private entitles. The plan shall be prepared in 
     accordance with section 12(b) of Public Law 91-383 (16 U.S.C. 
     1a-1 et seq.; commonly known as the National Park System 
     General Authorities Act).

     SEC. 7. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

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

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Utah (Mr. Hansen) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Miller) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Hansen).

                              {time}  1215

  Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3109 is a bill introduced by my long-time friend 
and colleague, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Solomon). Unfortunately 
for many of us here in the House, the gentleman from New York has 
decided to bring his distinguished and energetic representation in the 
House to a close this year. I truly regret his departure, but wish him 
well in the years to come. He will surely be missed here in Congress.
  As for H.R. 3109, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Solomon) deserves 
credit for a bill that establishes, as an affiliated area of the 
National Park Service, the Thomas Cole National Historic Site in the 
State of New York. Thomas Cole is recognized as America's most 
prominent landscape artist who inspired the Hudson River School of 
landscape painting.
  The Thomas Cole house where Cole lived while painting his 
masterpieces is currently listed on the National Register of Historic 
Places, and has been designated as a National Historic Landmark. The 
actual site will still be owned, managed, and operated by the Greene 
County Historical Society, who will enter into a cooperative agreement 
with the National Park Service relating to the preservation, 
interpretation, and use of this historic site.
  Mr. Speaker, this is an important bill which creates an affiliated 
area of the Park Service and protects an important historical site so 
that the public could admire the life of, and the beautiful landscapes 
created by, Thomas Cole. I strongly urge my colleagues to support H.R. 
3109, as amended.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. DOGGETT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3109. This measure, introduced 
by our colleague, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Solomon), 
establishes the Thomas Cole National Historical Site in the State of 
New York.
  Thomas Cole was the founder of the American artistic movement known 
as the Hudson River school. His beautiful paintings are available for 
Americans who come to the mall to see some of the fine work of our 
American painters, and indeed, they are scattered in museums across 
this country.
  Students and followers of the Hudson River school included such 
artists as Frederick Church, Alfred Bierstadt, and Thomas Moran. This 
school of painting, with its focus on natural landscapes, is closely 
associated with theconservation movement in this country. The Thomas 
Cole property, known as Cedar Grove, located in upper New York State, 
has been designated as a National Historic Landmark.
  The National Park Service has completed a suitability and feasibility 
study of the property. The National Park Service testimony in our 
Committee on Resources on H.R. 3109 recommended affiliated status for 
the site with the current owner, the Greene County Historical Society, 
continuing to manage the site.
  This bill, as reported by our Committee on Resources, reflects the 
affiliated status recommended by the National Park Service, and as 
reported, H.R. 3109 is noncontroversial, and I urge its passage.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from New York (Mr. Solomon), the distinguished chairman of 
the Committee on Rules.
  Mr. SOLOMON. I thank the gentleman for yielding time to me, Mr. 
Speaker. I thank the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Doggett) for his 
remarks, also.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to come before the House today to speak for 
this bill, which I introduced, establishing the Thomas Cole National 
Historic Site in the State of New York as an affiliated area of the 
National Park Service. As a representative of the Catskill Mountains as 
well as the Adirondack Mountains, I have been a strong supporter of a 
measure that would protect the Thomas Cole house since I came here 20 
years ago.
  As has been said, Thomas Cole was one of this country's preeminent 
landscape painters of the early 19th century. His work inspired several 
generations of artists, including Frederick Church--whose work I have 
brought with me today--and Thomas Moran, to chronicle the growth of a 
young United States and help to generate interest in our country's 
natural beauty.
  I would invite all Members to come here and take a look at this later 
on. It is a reproduction of one of the most magnificent paintings that 
I have ever seen. It was viewed by Frederick Church from the east side 
of the Hudson River, just above West Point, where our military academy 
is, looking west over the Hudson River and into the Catskill Mountains. 
It is the sunset, and it looks exactly like a tattered American flag. 
It is truly magnificent, and I would invite all to come and take a look 
at it, as well as at the postcards

[[Page H7437]]

that illustrate some of the most magnificent painting we have ever seen 
of the Hudson River Valley.
  With the broad landscape paintings that I have just talked about, 
Thomas Cole's students and followers dominated the visual arts in this 
country as have no painters before or since. Today their paintings 
provide insight and reflect the growth of a uniquely American spirit.
  In passing this bill today, we will preserve this school of art, the 
residence that Thomas Cole worked from in creating many of his 
paintings, as well as the very landscapes which these artists painted, 
especially the beautiful Hudson River.
  Again, I just want to thank the chairman, the gentleman from Alaska 
(Mr. Don Young), and certainly the subcommittee chairman, the gentleman 
from Utah (Mr. Jim Hansen), and all of their staffs on both sides of 
the aisle for bringing this bill out here in a timely manner. I really 
appreciate it, and so do the people that enjoy one of the most scenic 
beauties in the entire world, and that is the Hudson River Valley of 
New York.
  Mr. DOGGETT. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Gillmor). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Hansen) that the House suspend 
the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 3109, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof), the rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was 
passed.
  The title was amended so as to read:

       ``A bill to establish the Thomas Cole National Historic 
     Site in the State of New York as an affiliated area of the 
     National Park System.''.

  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________