[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 123 (Wednesday, September 16, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S10418-S10419]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              NATIONAL HISTORIC TRAILS INTERPRETIVE CENTER

  Mr. THOMAS. Mr. President, I rise to discuss a project that is 
extremely important to the city of Casper and the State of Wyoming. The 
National Historic Trails Interpretive Center, located in Casper, is a 
unique project designed to showcase the importance of Wyoming as a 
center for a number of historic trails in the West. The site selected 
for the Center overlooks the place where the Oregon, California, Mormon 
and Pony Express Trails cross the North Platte River. In addition, the 
head of the Bridger Trail and a fork of the Bozeman Trail can be seen 
from the spot.
  The city of Casper and the State of Wyoming have been working very 
hard to build an interpretive center that will attract visitors from 
throughout the nation and provide them with a quality recreational and 
educational experience. The facility will showcase the important role 
historic trails played in the development of the West and the 
incredible hardships faced by settlers as they migrated to all of the 
western states. The project is strongly supported throughout Wyoming 
and would be funded through a unique ``public/private'' funding program 
using local, state and federal sources.
  Wyoming's congressional delegation has been working on obtaining 
federal funds for the Historic Trails Center for many years. Throughout 
my time in the Senate, as well as my years serving as Wyoming's only 
Congressman, I have worked hard to obtain planning and architectural 
money for the Center and requested assistance from the Appropriations 
Committee in obtaining the roughly $5 million in federal funds needed 
to complete the project. Unfortunately, construction funds have never 
been included in the appropriations bill.

[[Page S10419]]

  This year, the House of Representatives has included $2.6 million in 
the fiscal year 1999 Interior appropriations bill for completion of the 
National Historic Trails Center. Although this is only half of the 
money necessary to complete the project, I am extremely pleased the 
House took this action and recognized the importance of constructing 
this facility. Currently, the Senate version of the Interior 
appropriations bill does not include funds for the Trails Center. I 
understand the difficult funding choices faced by the Interior 
Appropriations Subcommittee as this bill was crafted, but I am 
extremely disappointed that the Senate version of this legislation did 
not provide funds for the Center.
  As the Senate completes its work on the Interior appropriations bill 
and this legislation moves to a conference with the House, I plan to do 
everything I can to ensure that funds for the Historic Trails Center 
are included in the final bill. Clearly, this project has merit and 
would be a valuable addition to our nation's cultural and historic 
landmarks. Over the coming days, I plan to work with Senators Gorton 
and Byrd to ensure that the House funding level is protected during the 
conference on this legislation.
  The National Historic Trails Interpretive Center is a worthy project. 
I urge the Senate to recede to the House language on this important 
measure and begin the process of completing this outstanding facility.

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