[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 74 (Thursday, May 20, 1999)]
[House]
[Page H3397]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   URGING MEMBERS TO JOIN IN SUPPORT OF H.R. 883, THE AMERICAN LAND 
                       SOVEREIGNTY PROTECTION ACT

  (Mr. GIBBONS asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of the gentleman 
from Alaska (Mr. Young), chairman of the Committee on Resources, and 
the 183 Members who are cosponsors of H.R. 883, the American Land 
Sovereignty Protection Act.
  It is time that the Congress reclaim its authority granted under the 
Constitution to make decisions over lands belonging to the United 
States.
  The United Nations has absolutely no right to make land designations 
for America's liberty bell, our Independence Hall, or the Statue of 
Liberty, or for that matter, any land management decisions for our 
national parks like the Grand Canyon or Yosemite.
  Former Ambassador Jeanne Kirkpatrick said it best: ``What recourse 
does an American voter have when U.N. bureaucrats from Connecticut or 
Iraq or Libya have made decisions that unjustly damage his or her 
property rights that lie near a national park?''
  It is time that this Congress reclaim its constitutional authority 
and it is time that America reclaims her lands. I encourage Members to 
join me in supporting H.R. 883, the American Land Sovereignty 
Protection Act.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back any constitutional authority we may have 
left.

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