[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 142 (Saturday, October 10, 1998)]
[House]
[Pages H10413-H10416]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             WEIR FARM NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE, CONNECTICUT

  Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee 
on Resources be discharged from further consideration of the Senate 
bill (S. 1718) to amend the Weir Farm National Historic Site 
Establishment Act of 1990 to authorize the acquisition of additional 
acreage for the historic site to permit the development of visitor and 
administrative facilities and to authorize the appropriation of 
additional amounts from the acquisition of real and personal property, 
and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.
  The Clerk read the title of the Senate bill.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Utah?
  There was no objection.
  The Clerk read the Senate bill, as follows:

                                S. 1718

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

     SECTION 1. WEIR FARM NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE, CONNECTICUT.

       (a) Acquisition of Land for Visitor and Administrative 
     Facilities.--Section 4 of the Weir Farm National Historic 
     Site Establishment Act of 1990 (16 U.S.C. 461 note; Public 
     Law 101-485; 104 Stat. 1171) is amended by adding at the end 
     the following:
       ``(d) Acquisition of Land for Visitor and Administrative 
     Facilities; Limitations.--
       ``(1) Acquisition.--
       ``(A) In general.--To preserve and maintain the historic 
     setting and character of the historic site, the Secretary may 
     acquire not more than 15 additional acres for the development 
     of visitor and administrative facilities for the historic 
     site.
       ``(B) Proximity.--The property acquired under this 
     subsection shall be contiguous to or in close proximity to 
     the property described in subsection (b).
       ``(C) Management.--The acquired property shall be included 
     within the boundary of the historic site and shall be managed 
     and maintained as part of the historic site.
       ``(2) Development.--The Secretary shall keep development of 
     the property acquired under paragraph (1) to a minimum so 
     that the character of the acquired property will be similar 
     to the natural and undeveloped landscape of the property 
     described in subsection (b).
       ``(3) Agreements.--Prior to and as a prerequisite to any 
     development of visitor and administrative facilities on the 
     property acquired under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall 
     enter into 1 or more agreements with the appropriate zoning 
     authority of the town of Ridgefield, Connecticut, and the 
     town of Wilton, Connecticut, for the purposes of--
       ``(A) developing the parking, visitor, and administrative 
     facilities for the historic site; and
       ``(B) managing bus traffic to the historic site and 
     limiting parking for large tour buses to an offsite 
     location.''.
       (b) Increase in Maximum Acquisition Authority.--Section 7 
     of the Weir Farm National Historic Site Act of 1990 (16 
     U.S.C. 461 note; Public Law 101-485; 104 Stat. 1173) is 
     amended by striking ``$1,500,000'' and inserting 
     ``$4,000,000''.

     Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute Offered by Mr. Hansen

  Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, I offer an amendment in the nature of a 
substitute.
  The Clerk read as follows:

       Amendment in the nature of a substitute offered by Mr. 
     Hansen:
       Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the 
     following:

     SECTION 1. WEIR FARM NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE, CONNECTICUT.

       (a) Acquisition of Land for Visitor and Administrative 
     Facilities.--Section 4 of the Weir Farm National Historic 
     Site Establishment Act of 1990 (16 U.S.C. 461 note; Public 
     Law 101-485; 104 Stat. 1171) is amended by adding at the end 
     the following:
       ``(d) Acquisition of Land for Visitor and Administrative 
     Facilities; Limitations.--
       ``(1) Acquisition.--
       ``(A) In general.--To preserve and maintain the historic 
     setting and character of the historic site, the Secretary may 
     acquire not more than 15 additional acres for the development 
     of visitor and administrative facilities for the historic 
     site.
       ``(B) Proximity.--The property acquired under this 
     subsection shall be contiguous to or in close proximity to 
     the property described in subsection (b).
       ``(C) Management.--The acquired property shall be included 
     within the boundary of the historic site and shall be managed 
     and maintained as part of the historic site.

[[Page H10414]]

       ``(2) Development.--The Secretary shall keep development of 
     the property acquired under paragraph (1) to a minimum so 
     that the character of the acquired property will be similar 
     to the natural and undeveloped landscape of the property 
     described in subsection (b).
       ``(3) Agreements.--Prior to and as a prerequisite to any 
     development of visitor and administrative facilities on the 
     property acquired under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall 
     enter into 1 or more agreements with the appropriate zoning 
     authority of the town of Ridgefield, Connecticut, and the 
     town of Wilton, Connecticut, for the purposes of--
       ``(A) developing the parking, visitor, and administrative 
     facilities for the historic site; and
       ``(B) managing bus traffic to the historic site and 
     limiting parking for large tour buses to an offsite 
     location.''.
       (b) Increase in Maximum Acquisition Authority.--Section 7 
     of the Weir Farm National Historic Site Act of 1990 (16 
     U.S.C. 461 note; Public Law 101-485; 104 Stat. 1173) is 
     amended by striking ``$1,500,000'' and inserting 
     ``$4,000,000''.

     SEC. 2. ACQUISITION AND MANAGEMENT OF WILCOX RANCH, UTAH, FOR 
                   WILDLIFE HABITAT.

       (a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
       (1) The lands within the Wilcox Ranch in eastern Utah are 
     prime habitat for wild turkeys, eagles, hawks, bears, 
     cougars, elk, deer, bighorn sheep, and many other important 
     species, and Range Creek within the Wilcox Ranch could become 
     a blue ribbon trout stream.
       (2) These lands also contain a great deal of undisturbed 
     cultural and archeological resources, including ancient 
     pottery, arrowheads, and rock homes constructed centuries 
     ago.
       (3) These lands, while comprising only approximately 3,800 
     acres, control access to over 75,000 acres of Federal lands 
     under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Land Management.
       (4) Acquisition of the Wilcox Ranch would benefit the 
     people of the United States by preserving and enhancing 
     important wildlife habitat, ensuring access to lands of the 
     Bureau of Land Management, and protecting priceless 
     archeological and cultural resources.
       (5) These lands, if acquired by the United States, can be 
     managed by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources at no 
     additional expense to the Federal Government.
       (b) Acquisition of Lands.--As soon as practicable, after 
     the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the 
     Interior shall acquire, through purchase, the Wilcox Ranch 
     located in Emery County, in eastern Utah.
       (c) Funds for Purchase.--The Secretary of the Interior is 
     authorized to use not more than $5,000,000 from the land and 
     water conservation fund established under section 2 of the 
     Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 (16 U.S.C. 460l-
     5) for the purchase of the Wilcox Ranch under subsection (b).
       (d) Management of Lands.--Upon payment by the State of Utah 
     of one-half of the purchase price of the Wilcox Ranch to the 
     United States, or transfer by the State of Utah of lands of 
     the same such value to the United States, the Secretary of 
     the Interior shall transfer to the State of Utah all right, 
     title, and interest of the United States in and to those 
     Wilcox Ranch lands acquired under subsection (b) for 
     management by the State Division of Wildlife Resources for 
     wildlife habitat and public access.

     SEC. 3. LAND CONVEYANCE, YAVAPAI COUNTY, ARIZONA.

       (a) Conveyance Required.--Notwithstanding any other 
     provision of law, the Secretary of the Interior shall convey, 
     without consideration and for educational related purposes, 
     to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Florida, a nonprofit 
     corporation authorized to do business in the State of 
     Arizona, all right, title, and interest of the United States, 
     if any, to a parcel of real property consisting of 
     approximately 16 acres in Yavapai County, Arizona, which is 
     more fully described as the parcel lying east of the east 
     right-of-way boundary of the Willow Creek Road in the 
     southwest one-quarter of the southwest one-quarter (SW\1/
     4\SW\1/4\) of section 2, township 14 north, range 2 west, 
     Gila and Salt River meridian.
       (b) Terms of Conveyance.--Subject to the limitation that 
     the land to be conveyed is to be used only for educational 
     related purposes, the conveyance under subsection (a) is to 
     be made without any other conditions, limitations, 
     reservations, restrictions, or terms by the United States. If 
     the Secretary of the Interior determines that the conveyed 
     lands are not being used for educational related purposes, at 
     the option of the United States, the lands shall revert to 
     the United States.

     SEC. 4. LAND EXCHANGE, EL PORTAL ADMINISTRATIVE SITE, 
                   CALIFORNIA.

       (a) Authorization of Exchange.--If the non-Federal lands 
     described in subsection (b) are conveyed to the United States 
     in accordance with this section, the Secretary of the 
     Interior shall convey to the party conveying the non-Federal 
     lands all right, title, and interest of the United States in 
     and to a parcel of land consisting of approximately 8 acres 
     administered by the Department of Interior as part of the El 
     Portal Administrative Site in the State of California, as 
     generally depicted on the map entitled ``El Portal 
     Administrative Site Land Exchange'', dated June 1998.
       (b) Receipt of Non-Federal Lands.--The parcel of non-
     Federal lands referred to in subsection (a) consists of 
     approximately 8 acres, known as the Yosemite View parcel, 
     which is located adjacent to the El Portal Administrative 
     Site, as generally depicted on the map referred to in 
     subsection (a). Title to the non-Federal lands must be 
     acceptable to the Secretary of the Interior, and the 
     conveyance shall be subject to such valid existing rights of 
     record as may be acceptable to the Secretary. The parcel 
     shall conform with the title approval standards applicable to 
     Federal land acquisitions.
       (c) Equalization of Values.--If the value of the Federal 
     land and non-Federal lands to be exchanged under this section 
     are not equal in value, the difference in value shall be 
     equalized through a cash payment or the provision of goods or 
     services as agreed upon by the Secretary and the party 
     conveying the non-Federal lands.
       (d) Applicability of Other Laws.--Except as otherwise 
     provided in this section, the Secretary of the Interior shall 
     process the land exchange authorized by this section in the 
     manner provided in part 2200 of title 43, Code of Federal 
     Regulations, as in effect on the date of the enactment of 
     this subtitle.
       (e) Boundary Adjustment.--Upon completion of the land 
     exchange, the Secretary shall adjust the boundaries of the El 
     Portal Administrative Site as necessary to reflect the 
     exchange. Lands acquired by the Secretary under this section 
     shall be administered as part of the El Portal Administrative 
     Site.
       (f) Map.--The map referred to in subsection (a) shall be on 
     file and available for inspection in appropriate offices of 
     the Department of the Interior.
       (g) Additional Terms and Conditions.--The Secretary of the 
     Interior may require such additional terms and conditions in 
     connection with the land exchange under this section as the 
     Secretary considers appropriate to protect the interests of 
     the United States.

  Mr. MALONEY of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge passage 
of S. 1718, companion legislation to H.R. 3383, of which I am the 
author. I would like to thank Mr. Hansen and Mr. Faleomavaega, as well 
as Mr. Miller and Mr. Young, for their efforts on behalf of this 
important legislation. I would also like to commend Rick Healy and 
Allen Freemeyer of the House Resources Committee staff for their hard 
work.
  Weir Farm is a cultural treasure that commemorates and preserves the 
homestead of American Impressionist painter J. Alden Weir. Weir is 
widely recognized as one of the leaders of the American Impressionist 
movement. The Weir Farm National Historic Site is Connecticut's only 
national park. The grounds of Weir Farm were the primary subject of 
Weir's work, and the preservation of this environment is vital not only 
to Connecticut's tourist economy, but also to preserving the unique 
artistic heritage of America. Under this bill, the National Park 
Service is authorized to acquire 13 additional acres of land adjacent 
to the existing Weir Farm site. In addition, it authorizes the 
construction of a visitors center and a gallery for the display of 
American Art.
  In 1990, under the leadership of Sens. Lieberman and Dodd, Congress 
made Weir Farm part of the National Park System and the first site to 
honor an American painter. This legislation (P.L. 101-485) authorized 
the Park Service to acquire 62 acres of the original Weir property 
along with several of the buildings that Weir lived and worked in, as 
well as many of the original furnishings. Those visitors who make their 
way to Weir Farm each year can tour the studio where Weir and his 
successors toiled, and the classic New England barn that caught the eye 
of many visiting artists that was rehabilitated with a generous 
appropriation from Congress. Unfortunately, these visitors cannot view 
the wonderful collection of Impressionist works are in the process of 
being acquired through private donations. The historic buildings are 
ill-equipped to accommodate even a limited visitor center, let alone a 
museum-quality gallery. The legislation before us today will also help 
the park fulfill another critical part of its mission, which is to 
reunite Weir Farm's historic landscape with the rich array of art it 
inspired.
  One of the most important provisions in this legislation is an 
agreement that has already been approved by town officials of 
Ridgefield, Connecticut and the National Park Service that limits what 
the Park Service may or may not do in developing the site. Credit 
should be given to town officials in Ridgefield and to the National 
Park Service, especially Park Superintendent Sarah Olson, for their 
tireless commitment to making this Weir Farm expansion a reality. The 
agreement will limit the number of parking spaces, prohibit the sale of 
food and beverages on the site, and control traffic in the area. It 
also requires the Park Service to proceed through the usual Planning 
and Zoning Commission process for review of the proposed improvements.
  This legislation is a tremendous step toward enhancing visitors' 
enjoyment of Connecticut's only National Park, and I am very 
appreciative of the work that Senators Dodd and Lieberman have done on 
it in the Senate. This bill represents a balanced approach to the

[[Page H10415]]

proposed expansion that is acceptable to not only the Park Service, but 
more important, to the residents in the Ridgefield-Wilton, Connecticut 
area.
  I am proud to have worked for the passage of this important 
legislation, and I would urge support for S. 1718.
  Mrs. KENNELLY of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support 
of this bill introduced by my colleagues from Connecticut Senator Joe 
Lieberman, Senator Christopher Dodd, and Congressman Jim Maloney.
  The Weir Farm National Historic Site was added to the National Park 
System by Congress in 1990. This beautiful area in Connecticut was the 
home of painter J. Alden Weir, a leader of the Impressionist movement 
in American art during the last century. Like Monet's Giverney, this 
picturesque and genuinely American landscape served as the inspiration 
behind Weir's paintings and a generation of other American artists who 
journeyed to visit the farm during this time.
  Today, thousands of visitors still come to Weir Farm to tour the 
studio and landscape that fueled the Impressionist movement in the New 
World. The site and studio has been wonderfully preserved over the 
year's by Weir's family and fellow artists. Congress made this site the 
first in the country to honor an American painter, and the State of 
Connecticut contributed by purchasing the initial 60 acres of open 
space surrounding the homestead.
  The legislation we are currently debating will allow one more 
addition to this Historic Site. It would allow the Park Service to 
purchase 15 additional acres of land adjacent to Weir Farm to construct 
a Visitors Center to hold park information and display many of the 
wonderful paintings inspired by the area. The Park Service and local 
communities have asked for this permission because their facilities, 
mostly preserved from the 19th Century, are not adequate to meet this 
goal. Also, construction of such a facility on existing land would 
tragically impact this open area. The chance to provide our children 
and future generations access to these great works of American art in 
the setting they were created is an opportunity we cannot let pass by.
  I urge my colleagues to support and pass this important legislation.
  Mr. MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, I'm pleased that we are here 
today to consider and pass H.R. 4483, the Rosie the Riveter National 
Park Service Affiliated Site Study Act of 1998.
  The role of women in the U.S. workforce was forever changed during 
World War II when women throughout the country took over jobs 
previously held by men who went off to war. Millions of women who had 
never expected to find themselves working outside the home did just 
that in order to support their families and keep the nation's economy 
running through the war years. The now infamous slogan of ``We can do 
it'' and nicknames such as ``Rosie the Riveter'' and ``Wendy the 
Welder'' came to represent these women and the work they did.
  This legislation directs the National Park Service to study the 
feasibility of giving federal designation to the site of the old Kaiser 
shipyards in Richmond, California. Thousands of ``Rosies'' and 
``Wendys'' built some 747 Liberty and Victory ships which were 
immediately commissioned into the U.S. Navy and sent to fight in the 
war from shipyards located in my district.
  I have had the honor of meeting and talking with many of the former 
shipbuilders and hearing their stories. Their connection with the men 
fighting on the ships and their support for the war effort led the 
workers to strive for perfection in each task, and gained them the 
respect of their employers and all Americans. Realizing the value of 
the women workers, many shipyards conducted around the clock day care 
centers and schools on site so the mothers could know their children 
were well cared for nearby.
  The stories of these women is an important part of the history of the 
nation, and their sacrifice and effort deserved to be recognized by our 
country and preserved for generations to come. The city of Richmond, 
California, has established the Rosie the Riveter Park on the site of 
the Kaiser shipyards during World War II where so many of the Liberty 
ships were constructed. By passing this legislation, Congress honors 
these women who did so much to help us win World War II. I urge my 
colleagues to join me in passing this important bill.
  Mr. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Representative Hansen 
for bringing this legislation before the House for consideration. I am 
deeply grateful for his support and the work he has done on H.R. 3910.
  The industrial, cultural, and natural heritage legacies of Michigan's 
automobile industry are nationally significant; they have made this a 
greater country. In cities across Michigan, such as Detroit, Dearborn, 
Flint, Kalamazoo, Lansing, and Saginaw, the automobile was designed and 
manufactured and in turn helped establish and expand the United States 
as an industrial power. The industrial strength of automobile 
manufacturing was vital to defending freedom and democracy in two world 
wars and fueled our economic growth in the modern era.
  Automobile heritage is more than the assembly lines and engineering 
rooms where cars were created and built. Turning a vision into a 
reality, the story of the automobile is a tale of hard work and growth. 
It is the shared history of millions of Americans who fought, during 
the labor movement, for good wages and benefits. This industry shaped 
20th Century America like no other; it is the quintessential American 
story. It is a story worth celebrating and sharing.
  The end product of all this hard work and cooperation, the Automobile 
National Heritage Area, creates something special and lasting both for 
Michigan and America. Again, I think my colleague from Utah, 
Representative Hansen, along with Chairman Don Young. The gentleman 
from Utah has done a superb job, and I salute him. I say to my 
colleagues from both sides of the aisle, and from all regions of 
America, that the Automobile National Heritage Area will enormously 
benefit the people of the 16th District in the State of Michigan and 
those who work in and are dependent upon the auto industry. This area 
is very, very important to us in Michigan in terms of remembering our 
history, who we are, and what we have done to build America.
  But all these efforts in Washington would not have come about if not 
for the years of planning by educators, local officials, and business 
leaders to bring together--in one package--a way to preserve this 
story. These local, grassroots efforts have been supported by many 
organizations in Michigan, including our major automobile 
manufacturers, labor organizations, businesses, towns and cities, 
chambers of commerce, and elected official from both parties. There are 
too many individuals to thank today. But I would like to extend my 
gratitude to Ed Bagale of the University of Michigan-Dearborn, Steve 
Hamp of the Henry Ford Museum, Sandra Clark of the State of Michigan, 
Maud Lyon of the Detroit Historical Museum, Bill Chapin, and Barbara 
Nelson-Jameson of the National Parks Service.
  I urge my colleagues to support the rich history and tradition of the 
automobile. Support this unique American story. Support H.R. 3910.
  Mr. RILEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support H.R. 3910.
  This bipartisan bill is supported by the leadership on both sides of 
the isle, the Resources Committee, the Administration, and the National 
Park Service. H.R. 3910 creates two new historic sites that will help 
further our nation's celebration of the ``American Experience.''
  Of particular interest to me is a provision in the bill to authorize 
the establishment of the Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site at 
Moton Field, Alabama. I have been working for over a year to secure 
this important tribute to the famed Tuskegee Airmen of World War II.
  Mr. Speaker, by any standard, the Tuskegee Airmen were and are 
American heroes.
  Despite a widespread belief that they, as African-Americans, did not 
possess the abilities to be effective war fighters, the famed Tuskegee 
Airmen of World War II proved that they were among the best pilots in 
the North African, Sicilian, and European Campaigns.
  Affectionately known as the ``Red Tails'' (for the red paint on the 
tails of their aircraft) by the bomber crews they protected, the pilots 
of Tuskegee did not lose a single bomber in their care to enemy 
fighters. Because of their heroic service, the Tuskegee Airmen were one 
of America's most highly decorated fighter groups of World War II. Upon 
returning home, the Tuskegee Airmen had won 150 Distinguished Flying 
Crosses, one Legion of Merit, one Silver Star, 14 Bronze Stars, and 744 
Air Medals. But the price was high. Of the 450 pilots that saw combat 
during World War II, 66 were killed in action and another 32 were taken 
prisoners of war.
  However, Mr. Speaker, the contributions of the Tuskegee Airmen did 
not end with the war. Because of their demonstrated ability as an 
effective fighting force and their individual heroism, the Tuskegee 
Airmen gave President Harry S. Truman all the proof he needed to 
justify his decision in 1948 to desegregate the United States military.
  And in the following decades, the Airmen's accomplishments during the 
war served as an inspiration for the civil rights movement as a whole.
  Last August, I asked the National Park Service to conduct a 
feasibility study for developing Moton Field at Tuskegee University, 
Alabama, as a National Historic Site. Mr. Speaker, I want to commend 
the Park Service for their fine work on this undertaking. It is because 
of this study that I decided to introduce H.R. 4211, which is included 
in the bill we are considering this today.

[[Page H10416]]

  This legislation will allow the National Park Service to tell the 
American people the most accurate and comprehensive story of Tuskegee 
Airmen--a story about individuals who overcame racism and intolerance 
in their own country, so that they could fight oppression and 
intolerance by the Axis powers in Europe.
  The Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site will focus on life at 
Moton Field and the accomplishments of the Airmen themselves. 
Specifically, the park will highlight:
  1. The impact of the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II;
  2. The training process for the Tuskegee Airmen and the strategic 
role that Tuskegee Institute (now Tuskegee University) played in that 
training;
  3. The African-American struggle for greater participation in the 
U.S. military and more significant roles in defending their country;
  4. The significance of successes of the Tuskegee Airmen in leading to 
desegregation of the U.S. military shortly after World War II; and
  5. The impact of Tuskegee Airmen accomplishments on subsequent civil 
rights advances of the 1950s and 1960s.
  Mr. Speaker, we should neither discount nor forget the influence of 
the Tuskegee Airmen on the ``American Experience.'' The Tuskegee 
Airmen, in my view, should be immortalized, honored and thanked for 
their courageous and selfless efforts to preserve and protect the 
freedom that every American enjoys today. I believe that the Tuskegee 
Airmen National Historic Site will be a fitting and worth tribute to 
these American heroes.
  Unfortunately, time has begun to take its toll on the Tuskegee 
Airmen. Many are no longer with us. That is why I would like to move 
forward with this legislation as quickly as possible so that the 
remaining Airmen will have the opportunity to see their legacy 
enshrined in the Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site.
  Passing H.R. 3910 is the first step to making this project a reality. 
Again, the story of the Tuskegee Airmen is one that I believe must be 
told and I believe--and I hope my colleagues will agree--that they 
deserve nothing less.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3910 is a good bill that has wide bipartisan 
support. Therefore, I urge my colleagues to pass this important 
legislation.
  Mr. HANSEN (during the reading). Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent 
that the amendment in the nature of a substitute be considered as read 
and printed in the Record.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Utah?
  There was no objection.
  The amendment in the nature of a substitute was agreed to.
  The Senate bill was ordered to be read a third time, was read the 
third time, and passed.
  The title of the Senate bill was amended so as to read:

       Amend the title so as to read: ``To amend the Weir Farm 
     National Historic Site Establishment Act of 1990 to authorize 
     the acquisition of additional acreage for the historic site 
     to permit the development of visitor and administrative 
     facilities and to authorize the appropriation of additional 
     amounts for the acquisition of real and personal property, 
     and for other purposes.''.

  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________