[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 118 (Monday, September 13, 1999)]
[House]
[Pages H8112-H8113]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 THOMAS COLE NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE ACT

  Mr. SHERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 658) to establish the Thomas Cole National Historic Site in 
the State of New York as an affiliated area of the National Park 
System, as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                                H.R. 658

       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;
       (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, administer, 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 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.--The Secretary may acquire 
     personal property associated with, and appropriate for, the 
     interpretation of 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 entities. 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 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Sherwood) and the gentleman from American Samoa (Mr. 
Faleomavaega) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Sherwood).
  Mr. SHERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  (Mr. SHERWOOD asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. SHERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 658 would establish the Thomas Cole 
Historic Site in the State of New York as an affiliated area of the 
National Park System. This bill is the result of the dedication of the 
gentleman from New York (Mr. Sweeney) and retired Congressman Jerry 
Solomon, also from New York, who worked hard to protect this historic 
site. The Thomas Cole House is currently listed on the National 
Register of Historic Places and has been designated as a national 
historic landmark. H.R. 658 also authorizes the Secretary to enter into 
cooperative agreements with both public and private entities relating 
to the preservation, the interpretation and use of this historic site.
  One of the private entities, the Greene County Historical Society, 
shall continue to own, manage and operate this historic site.
  This bill also directs the historical society with assistance from 
the Secretary to develop a management plan for the site within 2 fiscal 
years of enactment. This bill is supported by the administration, and I 
urge my colleagues to support H.R. 658.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  (Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA asked and was given permission to revise and extend 
his remarks.)
  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R.658 establishes the Thomas Cole National Historic 
Site in the State of New York as an affiliated area of the National 
Park System.
  Mr. Thomas Cole, who lived from 1801 to 1848, was the founder of an 
American artistic movement known as the Hudson River School. Mr. Cole 
painted landscapes of the American wilderness. Students and followers 
included such artists as Frederick Church, Alfred Dierstadt, and Thomas 
Moran. This school of painting, with its focus on natural landscapes, 
is closely associated with the beginning of the conservation movement.
  The Thomas Cole property, known as Cedar Grove, is located in 
Catskill, New York. Originally encompassing 88

[[Page H8113]]

acres, the home and grounds now occupy 3.4 acres. The property has been 
designated a national historic landmark. In 1991, the National Park 
Service completed a suitability and a feasibility study of the Thomas 
Cole property.

                              {time}  1445

  Legislation dealing with the Thomas Cole property has been around 
since the early 1900s. Hearings were held on a nearly identical bill, 
H.R. 1301, in the 105th Congress. That legislation was favorably 
reported by the Committee on Resources, passed the House last 
September, but unfortunately, action was not completed on the measure 
prior to adjournment.
  Mr. Speaker, the Committee on Resources adopted a minor amendment to 
H.R. 658 that made a clarifying change requested by the National Park 
Service. We believe this is a good change in the bill, and support the 
bill. I do urge my colleagues to support this legislation.
  Again, I thank my good friend, the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. 
Sherwood) for his management of this legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SHERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from 
New York (Mr. Sweeney).
  Mr. SWEENEY. Mr. Speaker, I would like to begin by thanking my good 
friend, the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Sherwood), for bringing up 
this legislation, and also thanking the gentleman from Alaska (Chairman 
Young) of the Committee on Rules, the subcommittee chairman, the 
gentleman from Utah (Mr. Hansen), the ranking member, the gentleman 
from Puerto Rico (Mr. Romero-Barcelo), and my friends on the other side 
for their assistance here.
  This legislation, as has been said, Mr. Speaker, would allow the 
Greene County Historical Society to remain as owners and operators of 
the Thomas Cole House while establishing the site as an affiliated area 
of the national park system.
  Essentially what this legislation does, it allows for the historical 
society to develop interpretive programs related to the facility. It 
also requires an annual general management plan by the historical 
society. Both of these things I think are very important to the 
continued health and welfare of the Thomas Cole House.
  I am a strong supporter of preserving our national historical sites 
generally, and specifically here as it relates to the Thomas Cole 
House. The circumstances of the Thomas Cole House make this an 
important piece of legislation, given its age. It is a true national 
treasure in the heart of one of the most scenic areas of the Nation, 
New York's Hudson River Valley.
  As has been stated, Thomas Cole was one of the country's preeminent 
landscape painters in the earlier 19th century. His work inspired 
generations of artists, including Frederick Church and Thomas Moran, to 
chronicle the growth of the young United States and help to generate 
interest in our country's natural beauty.
  Today the paintings provide insight and reflect the growth of what is 
the uniquely American spirit. In passing this legislation, we will 
preserve this school of art and the very residence Thomas Cole worked 
from within in creating many of his paintings, as well as the 
landscapes these artists painted of the beautiful Hudson River Valley.
  Last year the legislation passed the House. It was not passed by the 
Senate point. That was because there was some language in the bill that 
the Senate objected to regarding the purchase by the Secretary of the 
Interior of the paintings and artwork. We have revised that and made 
amendments to make that language more palatable. I am confident that 
the Senate will pass it this year.
  In conclusion, I would like to thank the committee and the National 
Park Service for their assistance, as well as the local organizations 
in my district who worked strenuously to see this bill passed, and who 
worked as a partnership to ensure the continuation of the Thomas Cole 
House. I look forward to seeing the Thomas Cole site become an 
important addition to the National Park Service.
  Mr. HINCHEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this legislation that 
will provide the Thomas Cole National Historic Site with appropriate 
federal recognition and assistance. It is appropriate because Thomas 
Cole continues to be a major figure in our nation's history, and an 
important influence on many Americans who would not recognize his name.
  As founder of the Hudson River School of American Painting, Thomas 
Cole stood at the beginning of a long line of artists who taught 
Americans to love and appreciate dramatic landscapes. It is hard for us 
now to imagine a time when places like the Hudson Highlands, the Grand 
Canyon, and the mountain peaks of the east and west were not treasured, 
but that was largely the case before Thomas Cole's time. They were 
regarded as obstacles or places of danger. His paintings showed people 
they were beautiful; his allegories invested them with meaning. If it 
were not for Thomas Cole, we might not have our national parks today; 
we would almost certainly not have our long tradition of landscape art.
  I hope this legislation will enable more people to learn about Thomas 
Cole and his followers and the history of how our people came to 
appreciate the beauty of nature and the landscape. I further hope it 
will bring more people to the Hudson Valley that Cole loved and 
painted, and educate them about the role that the Hudson Valley--
through its natural features, its people, and its history--has had in 
defining our country's vision of itself.
  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, 
and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. SHERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Foley). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Sherwood) that the 
House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 658, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  Mr. SHERWOOD. 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 8 of rule XX 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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