[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 147 (Thursday, October 15, 1998)]
[House]
[Page H10945]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  GRANT-KOHRS RANCH NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE BOUNDARY ADJUSTMENT ACT OF 
                                  1998

  Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
Senate bill (S. 2272) to amend the boundaries of Grant-Kohrs Ranch 
National Historic Site in the State of Montana.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                                S. 2272

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

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Grant-Kohrs Ranch National 
     Historic Site Boundary Adjustment Act of 1998''.

     SEC. 2. ADDITIONS TO GRANT-KOHRS RANCH NATIONAL HISTORIC 
                   SITE.

       The Act entitled ``An Act to authorize the establishment of 
     the Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site in the State of 
     Montana, and for other purposes'', approved August 25, 1972 
     (86 Stat. 632), is amended by striking the last sentence in 
     the first section and inserting: ``The boundary of the 
     National Historic Site shall be as generally described on a 
     map entitled, ``Boundary Map, Grant-Kohrs Ranch National 
     Historic Site'', numbered 80030-B, and dated January, 1998, 
     which shall be on file and available for public inspection in 
     the local and Washington, District of Columbia, offices of 
     the National Park Service, Department of the Interior.''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Utah (Mr. Hansen) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Miller) will 
each control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Hansen).
  Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, S. 2272 is a bill introduced by Senator Conrad Burns and 
supported by the gentleman from Montana (Mr. Rick Hill). Mr. Burns has 
crafted a bill that responds to a need to increase the size of a 
historic site in Montana.
  Mr. Speaker, S. 2272 authorizes the boundary expansion of the Grant-
Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site by 120 acres. This parcel is a 
critical component of the cultural landscape, and better defines the 
character of this historic site. Including this property into this site 
will also contribute to conserving the open space surrounded by the 
ranch.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support S. 2272, and I reserve 
the balance of my time.
  Mr. MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  (Mr. MILLER of California asked and was given permission to revise 
and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, this bill is a National Park 
Service initiative. It would simply place within the boundaries of the 
Historic Site 120 acres that the NPS previously purchased as an 
uneconomic remnant of another parcel they acquired.
  Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, I rise to strongly support S. 2272 and urge my 
colleagues to pass this important legislation. This bill, introduced by 
my Montana colleague, Senator Conrad Burns on behalf of the Clinton 
administration, will amend the boundaries of the Grant-Kohrs Ranch 
National Historic Site in the State of Montana.
  Congress authorized the Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site on 
August 25, 1972, to preserve the Grant-Kohrs Ranch. The ranch was in 
operation from 1860 to 1972. Along with the ranch's existence came a 
rich history upon which the culture of the West is still built. 
Preserving the ranch provides a vivid reminder of our Nation's frontier 
cattle era.
  Today the ranch offers an intact 120-year archive, upward of 26,000 
artifacts, and 88 historic structures that capture the heritage of the 
American cowboy and cattlemen. The ranch is the hub of a thriving 
tourism industry and provides many unique educational opportunities. 
The Grant-Kohrs Ranch offers a honest recollection of life on the 
frontier while providing a great experience for visitors and jobs for 
local residents. The ranch has been designated a National Landmark and 
is a true asset to Montana.
  This legislation allows for a boundary adjustment that will 
incorporate an additional 120 acres of land into the authorized 
boundary of the Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site. The 120 acres 
included in the new boundary of the ranch are already owned by the 
National Park Service and their inclusion in the ranch's boundary is 
recommended as a means of conserving the property of the original ranch 
from future development.
  I hope that my colleagues will join me in recognizing the importance 
of preserving this portion of Western history by supporting the passage 
of this bill in the House.
  Mr. MILLER of California. 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. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Utah (Mr. Hansen) that the House suspend the rules and 
pass the Senate bill, S. 2272.
  The question was taken.
  Mr. MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the 
ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a 
quorum is not present.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 5 of rule I and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.
  The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.

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