[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 141 (Monday, October 18, 1999)]
[House]
[Pages H10123-H10127]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              PATRIOT ACT

  Mr. DOOLITTLE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and concur in 
the Senate amendments to the bill (H.R. 659) to authorize 
appropriations for the protection of Paoli and Brandywine Battlefields 
in Pennsylvania, to direct the National Park Service to conduct a 
special resource study of Paoli and Brandywine Battlefields, to 
authorize the Valley Forge Museum of the American Revolution at Valley 
Forge National Historical Park, and for other purposes.
  The Clerk read as follows:

       Senate amendments:
       Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert:

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Pennsylvania Battlefields 
     Protection Act of 1999''.

               TITLE I--PAOLI AND BRANDYWINE BATTLEFIELDS

     SEC. 101. PAOLI BATTLEFIELD PROTECTION.

       (a) Paoli Battlefield.--The Secretary of the Interior 
     (hereinafter referred to as the ``Secretary'') is authorized 
     to provide funds to the borough of Malvern, Pennsylvania, for 
     the acquisition of the area known as the ``Paoli 
     Battlefield'', located in the borough of Malvern, 
     Pennsylvania, as generally depicted on the map entitled 
     ``Paoli Battlefield'' numbered 80,000 and dated April 1999 
     (referred to in this title as the ``Paoli Battlefield''). The 
     map shall be on file and available for public inspection in 
     the appropriate offices of the National Park Service.
       (b) Cooperative Agreement and Technical Assistance.--The 
     Secretary shall enter into a cooperative agreement with the 
     borough of Malvern, Pennsylvania, for the management by the 
     borough of the Paoli Battlefield. The Secretary may provide 
     technical assistance to the borough of Malvern to assure the 
     preservation and interpretation of the Paoli Battlefield's 
     resources.
       (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized 
     to be appropriated $1,250,000 to carry out this section. Such 
     funds shall be expended in the ratio of one dollar of

[[Page H10124]]

     Federal funds for each dollar of funds contributed by non-
     Federal sources. Any funds provided by the Secretary shall be 
     subject to an agreement that provides for the protection of 
     the Paoli Battlefield's resources.

     SEC. 102. BRANDYWINE BATTLEFIELD PROTECTION.

       (a) Brandywine Battlefield.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary is authorized to provide 
     funds to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, a political 
     subdivision of the Commonwealth, or the Brandywine 
     Conservancy, for the acquisition, protection, and 
     preservation of land in an area generally known as the 
     Meetinghouse Road Corridor, located in Chester County, 
     Pennsylvania, as depicted on a map entitled ``Brandywine 
     Battlefield--Meetinghouse Road Corridor'', numbered 80,000 
     and dated April 1999 (referred to in this title as the 
     ``Brandywine Battlefield''). The map shall be on file and 
     available for public inspection in the appropriate offices of 
     the National Park Service.
       (2) Willing sellers or donors.--Lands and interests in land 
     may be acquired pursuant to this section only with the 
     consent of the owner thereof.
       (b) Cooperative Agreement and Technical Assistance.--The 
     Secretary shall enter into a cooperative agreement with the 
     same entity that is provided funds under subsection (a) for 
     the management by the entity of the Brandywine Battlefield. 
     The Secretary may also provide technical assistance to the 
     entity to assure the preservation and interpretation of the 
     Brandywine Battlefield's resources.
       (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized 
     to be appropriated $3,000,000 to carry out this section. Such 
     funds shall be expended in the ratio of one dollar of Federal 
     funds for each dollar of funds contributed by non-Federal 
     sources. Any funds provided by the Secretary shall be subject 
     to an agreement that provides for the protection of the 
     battlefield's resources.

            TITLE II--VALLEY FORGE NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK

     SEC. 201. PURPOSE.

       The purpose of this title is to authorize the Secretary of 
     the Interior to enter into an agreement with the Valley Forge 
     Historical Society (hereinafter referred to as the 
     ``Society''), to construct and operate a museum within the 
     boundary of Valley Forge National Historical Park in 
     cooperation with the Secretary.

     SEC. 202. VALLEY FORGE MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 
                   AUTHORIZATION.

       (a) Agreement Authorized.--The Secretary of the Interior, 
     in administering the Valley Forge National Historical Park, 
     is authorized to enter into an agreement under appropriate 
     terms and conditions with the Society to facilitate the 
     planning, construction, and operation of the Valley Forge 
     Museum of the American Revolution on Federal land within the 
     boundary of Valley Forge National Historical Park.
       (b) Contents and Implementation of Agreement.--An agreement 
     entered into under subsection (a) shall--
       (1) authorize the Society to develop and operate the museum 
     pursuant to plans developed by the Secretary and to provide 
     at the museum appropriate and necessary programs and services 
     to visitors to Valley Forge National Historical Park related 
     to the story of Valley Forge and the American Revolution;
       (2) only be carried out in a manner consistent with the 
     General Management Plan and other plans for the preservation 
     and interpretation of the resources and values of Valley 
     Forge National Historical Park;
       (3) authorize the Secretary to undertake at the museum 
     activities related to the management of Valley Forge National 
     Historical Park, including, but not limited to, provision of 
     appropriate visitor information and interpretive facilities 
     and programs related to Valley Forge National Historical 
     Park;
       (4) authorize the Society, acting as a private nonprofit 
     organization, to engage in activities appropriate for 
     operation of the museum that may include, but are not limited 
     to, charging appropriate fees, conducting events, and selling 
     merchandise, tickets, and food to visitors to the museum;
       (5) provide that the Society's revenues from the museum's 
     facilities and services shall be used to offset the expenses 
     of the museum's operation; and
       (6) authorize the Society to occupy the museum so 
     constructed for the term specified in the Agreement and 
     subject to the following terms and conditions:
       (A) The conveyance by the Society to the United States of 
     all right, title, and interest in the museum to be 
     constructed at Valley Forge National Historical Park.
       (B) The Society's right to occupy and use the museum shall 
     be for the exhibition, preservation, and interpretation of 
     artifacts associated with the Valley Forge story and the 
     American Revolution, to enhance the visitor experience of 
     Valley Forge National Historical Park, and to conduct 
     appropriately related activities of the society consistent 
     with its mission and with the purposes for which the Valley 
     Forge National Historical Park was established. Such right 
     shall not be transferred or conveyed without the express 
     consent of the Secretary.
       (C) Any other terms and conditions the Secretary determines 
     to be necessary.

     SEC. 203. PRESERVATION AND PROTECTION.

       Nothing in this title authorizes the Secretary or the 
     Society to take any actions in derogation of the preservation 
     and protection of the values and resources of Valley Forge 
     National Historical Park. An agreement entered into under 
     section 202 shall be construed and implemented in light of 
     the high public value and integrity of the Valley Forge 
     National Historical Park and the National Park System.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Doolittle) and the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Kildee) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California (Mr. Doolittle).
  Mr. DOOLITTLE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  I rise in strong support of H.R. 659, introduced by the gentleman 
from Pennsylvania (Mr. Weldon). H.R. 659 is a very important bill. It 
is necessary to protect two significant battlefields of the 
Revolutionary War and begin the process of developing a much needed new 
visitors' center at Valley Forge National Historical Park. The 
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Weldon) deserves credit for developing 
this bill, which protects some of our most treasured Revolutionary War 
sites.
  Madam Speaker, H.R. 659 authorizes appropriations for the protection 
of the Paoli and Brandywine Battlefields in Pennsylvania. 
Appropriations for these battlefields must be matched dollar for dollar 
by non-Federal sources.
  This bill also authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to enter into 
an agreement with the Valley Forge Historical Society to construct and 
operate a museum within the boundaries of the Valley Forge National 
Historical Park. After the museum has been built, all rights, title and 
interests would be conveyed to the Federal Government; however, the 
society would continue to operate the facility.
  Madam Speaker, this bill was passed earlier by the House and sent to 
the Senate where they amended the bill to eliminate a provision that 
directed the National Park Service to conduct a special resource study 
of both the Paoli and Brandywine Battlefields. We have agreement on 
this item now, on this amendment; and we now have a bill with full 
bipartisan support.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. KILDEE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  (Mr. KILDEE asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. KILDEE. Madam Speaker, H.R. 659 is a comprehensive measure which 
provides assistance for the preservation of two Revolutionary War 
battlefields in Pennsylvania. In addition, the bill authorizes a 
public-private partnership agreement for the construction of a museum 
on Federal land within the Valley Forge National Historic Park.
  The legislation originally passed the House on June 22, 1999. The 
Senate considered the measure on October 14 and returned a bill with 
several minor changes.
  Title I of H.R. 659 authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to 
provide up to $1.25 million to assist in the protection and 
preservation of the area known as the Paoli Battlefield. It also 
authorizes up to $3 million to assist in the protection and 
preservation of the area known as the Meeting House Corridor, part of 
the Brandywine Battlefield.
  In both instances the funds provided are for land acquisition only, 
and all funds provided by the Secretary are to be matched dollar for 
dollar by non-Federal sources. The Secretary is also authorized to 
provide technical assistance and to enter into cooperative agreements 
to provide for ownership and management of the battlefields by the non-
Federal partners.
  Madam Speaker, Title II of H.R. 659 deals with the Valley Forge 
National Historic Park, which is so ably represented by the gentleman 
from Pennsylvania (Mr. Hoeffel). The bill authorizes the Secretary to 
enter into an agreement under appropriate terms and conditions with the 
Valley Forge Historical Society, construct the Valley Forge Museum of 
the American Revolution on park property. The gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Hoeffel) has been a strong supporter of this 
provision and for that he is to be commended.
  The Senate amendments to H.R. 659 changed the title of the 
legislation and deleted the provisions for a special resource study of 
the Paoli and Brandywine Battlefields. These changes do not alter the 
primary purpose of the legislation. As such, we have no objections to 
H.R. 659, as amended.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

[[Page H10125]]

  Mr. DOOLITTLE. Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Weldon), the author of the legislation.
  (Mr. WELDON of Pennsylvania asked and was given permission to revise 
and extend his remarks, and include extraneous material.)
  Mr. WELDON of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of this 
final act to support this legislation, and I thank the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Doolittle), my good friend; and I thank the gentleman 
from Michigan (Mr. Kildee) for his support. I also thank the chairman 
of the full committee and subcommittee, and the ranking members.
  Madam Speaker, 222 years ago last month the cry, ``Remember Paoli,'' 
sounded through the ranks of the patriots who at that time were 
fighting in the Philadelphia campaign to protect the beginnings of this 
Nation. It was an unbelievable battle that occurred at Paoli that 
resulted in that cry. I remember Paoli because 53 young Americans had 
been butchered by the British. They were butchered by the British with 
their bayonets because the British did not want to fire their guns to 
send the signal that they were on the attack. Fifty-three brave young 
Americans ended up lying on the ground at Paoli where they are at this 
day buried because they were fighting for the independence of this 
great Nation.
  Madam Speaker, 222 years later, we remember Paoli. We remember Paoli 
by this legislation, setting aside the 40 acres of that great battle; 
that battle where America lost, where young Americans were massacred. 
But the rallying cry became the call for the patriots at Valley Forge, 
and before that at Brandywine to go on to defeat the British and to 
allow this Nation to achieve its independence. This, in fact, was one 
of the most historic campaigns in the Revolutionary War; and today we 
take action, the final action before this bill goes to the President 
for his signature to preserve the 40-acre site which is about to be 
developed.
  In fact, it is interesting, Madam Speaker. The deadline for 
development of this site was the end of October, so we are just a few 
short weeks away from being able to say that we have saved this site 
from having been developed. Secretary Babbitt was up at the site not 
long ago. He lent his personal support, and support from Democrats and 
Republicans in both this body and the other body have allowed us to 
move this legislation forward.
  The gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Pitts), who has been a tireless 
champion of the Brandywine site which is in his district and the Paoli 
site which abuts his district and in my district, and the Valley Forge 
site which is in my district but abuts the district of the gentleman 
from Pennsylvania (Mr. Hoeffel), who is not with us today, all were 
instrumental in moving this forward. Senator Santorum did a remarkable 
effort in the Senate, and we thank everyone who played a major role in 
getting us here today.
  I thank all of my colleagues. At this time I would ask to insert in 
the Congressional Record a letter from a fourth grader signifying the 
over 4,000 letters and correspondence and phone calls we received from 
young children asking us to save this site, and I further include the 
chronology of our battle to save the Paoli and Brandywine Battlefields.

                                                 February 5, 1999.
       Dear Congressman Weldon: I wrote this letter because we 
     need to save Paoli Battlefield. We can't develop Paoli 
     Battlefield because we would love to share the battlefield 
     with generations. We can't stop honoring the fallen soldiers. 
     If we do will lose another battle.
       Thank you for helping us save Paoli Battlefield. We know 
     how important Paoli Battlefield is, and it is very nice of 
     you to be a part of remembering Paoli.
           Sincerely,
     Emily Murray.
                                  ____


 Congressman Curt Weldon's Chronology of Battle To Preserve Paoli and 
                        Brandywine Battlefields

       April 95: Malvern Preparatory School challenges the local 
     community to raise the $2.5 million necessary to save the 40-
     acre Paoli Battlefield site.
       October 95: A non-profit organization headed by Pat 
     McGuigan, borough manager of Malvern, is formed--The Paoli 
     Battlefield Preservation Fund.
       September 96: Fundraising begins.
       October 97: Chester County pledges $250,000 in matching 
     funds to save the battlefield.
       March 98: The Paoli Battlefield Preservation Fund 
     approaches Congressman Curt Weldon to ask for his help.
       April 28, 1998: Congressman Weldon introduces H.R. 3746 
     which would authorize $2,500,000 and add the Paoli 
     Battlefield site to the Valley Forge National Historical 
     Park.
       July 3, 1998: NBC's Today Show Features Paoli Battlefield.
       July 31, 1998: Congressman Weldon seeks help from Senator 
     Arlen Specter. Senator Specter introduces companion 
     legislation, S. 2401, in the Senate.
       August 6, 1998: The House National Parks and Public Lands 
     Subcommittee passes H.R. 3746.
       September 15, 1998: Weldon's language is included in H.R. 
     4570, the House Omnibus Parks and Public Lands bill.
       September 23, 1998: During consideration of S. 2401 by the 
     Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, S. 2401 is 
     stripped and language is added to authorize only a study of 
     the battlefield.
       October 5, 1998: The Clinton/Gore Administration issues a 
     veto threat for H.R. 4570, citing the addition of the Paoli 
     Battlefield to the Valley Forge National Historical Park as a 
     provision of H.R. 4570 which would ``cause grave harm to the 
     Nation's resources.''
       October 7, 1998: H.R. 4570 fails in the House by a vote of 
     123-302 due to environmental objections.
       October 9, 1998: Despite the disastrous Committee 
     amendment, Senator Specter is able to pass the original 
     legislation to save the Paoli Battlefield on the Senate 
     floor. Due to political gamesmanship and controversy, 
     legislation is not brought up in the House.
       October 21, 1998: Legislative business of the 105th 
     Congress concludes.
       January 6, 1999: The 106th Congress Convenes.
       February 8, 1999: Congressman Weldon visits the Exton 
     Elementary School to applaud the school's efforts to raise 
     ``Pennies for Paoli''. During this visit, the Congressman 
     announces his intention to reintroduce legislation to save 
     the Paoli Battlefield. This legislation is known as the 
     PATRIOT Act--Preserve America's Treasures of the Revolution 
     for Independence for Our Tomorrow. The PATRIOT Act also 
     includes provisions to save portions of the Brandywine 
     Battlefield, and to authorize a new museum of the American 
     Revolution at Valley Forge National Historical Park.
       February 9, 1999: Congressman Weldon introduces H.R. 659, 
     the PATRIOT Act.
       March 10, 1999: Senator Arlen Specter introduces companion 
     legislation in the Senate, S. 581.
       March 11, 1999: Hearings are held by the House National 
     Parks and Public Lands Subcommittee on the PATRIOT Act. Fifty 
     Chester County Grade School students travel to Washington, DC 
     to express their support for saving the lands. Congressmen 
     Weldon, Pitts, and Hoeffel, along with Senator Specter, 
     participate in the hearings. General George Washington 
     (a.k.a. Jim Gallagher of Newtown Square, PA) also testifies 
     about the need to save this sacred land.
       March 18, 1999: The PATRIOT Act clears the House 
     Subcommittee.
       April 22, 1999: Hearings are held by the Senate 
     Subcommittee.
       April 28, 1999: The PATRIOT Act clears the House Resources 
     Committee.
       May 1999: The PATRIOT Act is ready for consideration on the 
     House Floor, but Representative George Miller, engaged in 
     another act of political gamesmanship, refuses to allow any 
     public lands legislation sponsored by a Republican to reach 
     the House floor.
       May 26, 1999: Governor Ridge and the State of Pennsylvania 
     pledge $500,000 from the Department of Community and Economic 
     Development.
       June 8, 1999: Congressman Weldon approaches House 
     Leadership to request their assistance in scheduling a vote 
     for the PATRIOT Act. House Majority Leader Dick Armey, Rules 
     Committee Chairman David Dreier and House Resources Committee 
     Chairman Don Young, and House National Parks and Public Lands 
     Subcommittee Chairman Jim Hansen all agree to help.
       June 16, 1999: The PATRIOT Act is cleared by the House 
     Rules Committee to be considered on the House Floor.
       June 22, 1999: The PATRIOT Act passes the House of 
     Representatives by a vote of 418-4.
       June 29, 1999: Congressman Weldon announces that funding 
     for Paoli Battlefield is included in the House Interior 
     Appropriations bill.
       July 1999: Senator Craig Thomas (R-WY), Chairman of the 
     Senate Subcommittee on Parks and Public Lands, holds up the 
     progress of the Senate Legislation.
       July 14, 1999: The House Interior Appropriations Bill, 
     containing $1.25 million in matching funds for the 
     Battlefield purchase, passes the House of Representatives.
       July 29, 1999: Congressmen Weldon and Pitts meet with 
     Senator Thomas and learn that he was misinformed about the 
     intent of the PATRIOT Act. They clear up the 
     misunderstandings, and Senator Thomas agrees to move the bill 
     to the floor.
       August 1999: Senator Frank Murkowski (R-AK), Chairman of 
     the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, places a 
     hold on all public lands bills in order to force an agreement 
     on a controversial Alaskan lands bill.
       August 27, 1999: Secretary Bruce Babbitt visits Paoli 
     Battlefield and pledges the support of the Administration to 
     save the endangered land.

[[Page H10126]]

       September 1999: Representatives Weldon, Pitts and Hoeffel, 
     and Senators Santorum and Specter work aggressively to 
     convince Senator Murkowski of the time sensitivity and 
     importance of passing the PATRIOT Act. Senator Murkowski 
     finally relents and puts together a package of four lands 
     bills which will be moved in the Senate. Senator Jeff 
     Bingaman, ranking Member of Murkowski's Committee, wants more 
     proposals offered by Senate Democrats included in the package 
     and refuses the package offered by Senator Murkowski.
       October 1999: Senator Santorum continues to work 
     aggressively to convince Senator Bingaman of the need to move 
     the PATRIOT Act. Senator Bingaman finally agrees to the 
     package, but Senate Minority Leadership will not agree to the 
     package proposed by Senator Murkowski. Even support from 
     Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt does not convince them.
       October 14, 1999: Senator Santorum finally achieves a 
     breakthrough. The legislation is agreed to on the Senate 
     floor by Unanimous Consent, but with a slight amendment. The 
     legislation is returned to the House for final consideration.
       October 31, 1999: The final deadline for the Paoli 
     Battlefield Preservation Fund set by Malvern Preparatory 
     School looms.

  Madam Speaker, as the distinguished chairman outlined, this bill sets 
aside matching funds for Paoli which have almost entirely been raised. 
It sets aside similar funds for Brandywine. We are in the midst of 
raising that money now with the help of the Brandywine Conservancy, and 
it allows the Park Service to develop a new plan and a contract to 
develop a new visitors' center at Valley Forge National Park.
  There are many people I would like to thank, Madam Speaker, too many 
to mention by name. I will include a listing of those individuals at 
this point in the Record.

                              thank yous!

       Senator Rick Santorum and Staff: Jill Hershey, Mike 
     Hershey, and Zack Moore.
       Senator Frank Murkowski, Senator Jeff Bingaman, Senator 
     Craig Thomas, and Jim O'Toole, staffer on Thomas' 
     subcommittee.
       Specter staff: Pam Muha (no longer with Specter, but was 
     the driving force over there), and Kevin Mathis.
       Chairman Don Young, Chairman Jim Hansen, and Resources 
     Staff: Tod Hull (he is the one with the dark hair who gave 
     you the book), Allen Freemyer (he is the staff director of 
     the subcommittee), and Rick Healy (Democrat).
       Chairman Ralph Regula and Appropriations Committee: Debbie 
     Weatherly, Congressman John Peterson, and Troy Tidwell of his 
     staff, and Congressman George Nethercutt and Glenda Becker of 
     his staff.
       Representative Joe Pitts and Representative Joe Hoeffel, 
     Ken Miller with Joe Pitts, and Don Grace with Joe Hoeffel.
       State of Pennsylvania: State Representative Bob Flick, 
     State Senator Bob Thompson, and Governor Tom Ridge.
       Witnesses at our Hearing: Jim Gallagher of Newtown Square, 
     General George Washington, Dr. Ed Barrs, Historian Emeritus 
     at the Department of Interior, and Students of Exton 
     Elementary, Sugartown Elementary.
       Paoli Battlefield Preservation Fund: Pat McGuigan, Mike 
     Steinberger (replaced Pat when he retired), Sandra Kelly 
     (works for Malvern Borough), Henry Briggs, Tip O'Neill (the 
     one with the famous name that we couldn't remember last 
     time), and Tom Maguire (historian at Malvern Prep).
       Valley Forge Historical Society: Jean-Pierre Bouvel and Ann 
     Brown.
       National Park Service: Secretary Bruce Babbitt, Arthur 
     Stewart, Jim Pepper, and Don Barry.
       Chester County Commissioners: Colin Hanna, Karen Martynick, 
     and Andrew Dinniman.
       School Children: Sugartown Elementary School and the 
     ``Footsteps for Paoli'', Exton Elementary School and the 
     ``Pennies for Paoli'', and all of the students from all over 
     the county who wrote letters.
       Members from the First Time Round on the Floor: David 
     Dreier, Doc Hastings, and Ralph Hall who helped us obtain a 
     rule, Majority Leader Dick Armey, Jim Traficant for reminding 
     us to Buy American!, Joe Hoeffel, and Joe Pitts.
  Madam Speaker, I would also like to thank the appropriators, 
especially the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Regula) and his staff, and 
particularly Debbie Weatherley and the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. 
Peterson) and the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Nethercutt), who 
helped us secure the appropriation so that when this bill is being 
passed today the appropriation is also in the appropriation measure 
soon to come to the House floor.
  So today we complete the final chapter of the battle to remember the 
cry of saving Paoli, and today I join with my colleagues in supporting 
the passage of this measure, and I thank everyone who made this day 
possible.

                              {time}  1415

  The gentleman from Utah (Mr. Hansen) was an invaluable supporter. His 
staff Todd Hall, who is here with us today, I thank him for all of his 
efforts; Senator Specter and Senator Murkowski on the Senate side. The 
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Pitts); the State of Pennsylvania, 
Governor Ridge who put $500,000 up from State funds; the county 
commissioners of Chester County; the Paoli Battlefield Preservation 
Fund, its leaders, Pat McGuigan and Mike Steinberger; the Valley Forge 
Historical Society, Jean-Pierre Bouvel and Ann Brown; the National Park 
Service headed up by Secretary Bruce Babbitt; the school children of 
Sugartown Elementary School and all the children who sent letters and 
raised over 40,000 pennies to save the Paoli site; and finally those 
other Members who have been supportive of this effort.
  Finally, I would be remiss, Madam Speaker, if I did not mention the 
last time we had this bill on the floor and it passed the House 
overwhelmingly, when I was thanking everyone who was involved, in a 
lapse of memory, which from time to time Members of Congress have, at 
least this Member does, I gave my key staffer who worked this issue the 
wrong last name.
  So as a final goodwill gesture, I want to thank Aaron for all the 
work that was done to get the Paoli bill through. The Patriot Act 
passed, and this time I got Aaron's name right.
  Mr. KILDEE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I would like to commend my good friend, the gentleman 
from Pennsylvania (Mr. Weldon) for his very, very hard work and 
tenacious work on this bill. I know this is a happy day for him.
  Mr. DOOLITTLE. Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Pitts).
  Mr. PITTS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 659, 
the Patriot Act. I also want to thank my colleague and friend, the 
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Weldon), for introducing this 
legislation and taking the lead in protecting these treasures, the 
Paoli and Brandywine battlefields. He has done a magnificent job of 
shepherding, of birddogging the bill through the legislative process 
and it was because of his able leadership that we are here today. This 
bill first came to the floor in June, and it passed overwhelmingly. 
Today the bill is before us again for the House to adopt a Senate 
amendment which I also hope the House will support overwhelmingly.
  The passage of the Patriot Act is essential for the preservation of 
two revolutionary war battlefields, Brandywine and Paoli. If we do not 
preserve these battlefields this year, we will lose both to the rapid 
development that is taking place in the region. Preserving America's 
historic treasures is essential if we as a Nation are to remember our 
past and our rich cultural heritage. It is particularly important to 
remember the sacrifices that our forefathers made to secure our 
independence from Great Britain and to build a new country that is 
today the world leader in freedom and democracy. Brandywine and Paoli 
battlefields are among the few Revolutionary War battlefields that 
remain unprotected.
  I have visited the Brandywine battlefield in my district, on numerous 
occasion, and with each visit I am more concerned that America may lose 
this important piece of our heritage to sprawling housing developments. 
The Patriot Act will help preserve a portion of the Brandywine 
battlefield where the most intense conflict and loss of life took 
place. The battle of the Brandywine was the largest battle of the 
Revolutionary War in terms of number of participants. Approximately 
26,000 British and American troops gathered there. All of the generals 
were at that battle. It was also a major conflict in the British 
campaign of 1777, that conquered Philadelphia. While the British 
eventually took Philadelphia, the battle of the Brandywine was 
significant in delaying the British campaign and allowing the Congress 
to abandon the city and to move to Lancaster, also in my district, and 
then to York, to escape before the British takeover.
  History connects people and nurtures identity and community, and I 
think it is our responsibility to ensure that historical landmarks such 
as the Brandywine and Paoli battlefields are preserved for future 
generations. Preserving these battlefields will ensure

[[Page H10127]]

that our children and our grandchildren will be able to enjoy and 
experience how these battles unfolded.
  In closing, I want to extend my thanks to the local communities in 
Chester County, near the Paoli and the Brandywine battlefields, for 
their unrelenting quest to save these monuments. This has been a 
grassroots effort, and it is now time for us to help them reach that 
goal. So I urge support the Patriot Act and concur in the Senate 
amendments.
  Mr. DOOLITTLE. Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Gekas).
  (Mr. GEKAS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. GEKAS. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from California (Mr. 
Doolittle) for yielding me this time.
  Madam Speaker, it is appropriate that this debate is being conducted 
at a time in 1999 when 200 years prior, in 1799, George Washington was 
living out his life at Mount Vernon in the last 80 days of that 
magnificent life. What we do here today is not only go forward with a 
project that brings pride and will bring additional historic value to 
Pennsylvania itself and to our Nation as a whole, but also to recall 
that George Washington was omnipresent at all of these events. He was 
at Valley Forge, making sure that our stalwarts remained stalwart 
during that winter. He was at Brandywine defending Pennsylvania and 
Philadelphia and the Nation, the new Nation yet to be born. He was then 
destined to become the victor of the Revolutionary War, of course, as 
Commander-in-Chief. He was the presiding officer of the Constitutional 
Convention of 1787 in Philadelphia, and then became the first President 
of the United States and for 8 years set the tone and the tradition and 
the standard for the presidency of the United States.
  We here today, in doing something so valuable to our heritage, are in 
a separate way expressing our gratitude again to George Washington. He 
died on December 14, 1799. So we are coming to the memorization of that 
as well, but in the meantime his life was one that is inextricably 
interwoven with the life of every American, and that extra dividend is 
being paid to us today when the Congress is making certain that one 
piece of the Washington legacy, that of Brandywine and Valley Forge and 
Paoli, that that not only remains in the Congressional Record but in 
the annals of history and in the minds and hearts of our people as he 
was first in the hearts of the American people.
  Mr. HOEFFEL. Madam Speaker, I would like to start by thanking the 
gentleman from Pennsylvania, Mr. Weldon for his extraordinary effort to 
bring this matter forward. The day this bill is signed into law will be 
a great day in celebrating American revolutionary history, and this is 
due to the gentleman from Pennsylvania and his efforts here on the 
floor.
  I would also like to thank and congratulate Jean-Pierre Bouvel of the 
Valley Forge Historical Society for his leadership in marshalling local 
support for this public-private partnership. Also thanks to Paul 
Decker, the Executive Director of the Valley Forge Convention and 
Visitor Bureau and a number of Montgomery County officials who have 
given their strong support for this public-private partnership at 
Valley Forge.
  I also want to thank the gentleman from Pennsylvania, Mr. Pitts, for 
his cooperation and efforts on this legislation as well.
  The events that occurred on both the Brandywine Battlefield and the 
Paoli Battlefield were key to the American revolutionary fight for 
freedom. The American forces lost at Brandywine, although they did buy 
additional time to protect the city of Philadelphia a little while 
longer from the British invasion. At Paoli, Americans were massacred at 
night and it truly was another disastrous defeat for America. Those two 
military operations forged the beginning of the winning spirit. We are 
all familiar with the history of the Valley Forge encampment. As far as 
I am concerned, that is where the American Revolution was truly won. No 
shots were fired. But the American army that arrived there tired, 
hungry, ill-clothed, ill-trained and ill-equipped, survived and 
trained. Six months later, with the tremendous leadership of George 
Washington, in June of 1778 an effective fighting force went on to win 
our independence.
  So we are saving and preserving the two battlefields that led to the 
encampment at Valley Forge. We are offering an opportunity to provide a 
far more impressive visitor experience at Valley Forge. We are 
providing a greatly improved opportunity for historical artifacts to be 
presented through a Valley Forge Museum of the American Revolution. We 
will offer better education about the valor, determination, courage and 
resolve that Americans showed at both those battle sites and the 6 
months where they survived a bitter winter at Valley Forge and emerged 
as an effective fighting army. We will preserve those battlefields so 
that future generations can appreciate the sacrifices that were made 
there.
  I urge all my colleagues to support this legislation.
  Mr. KILDEE. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. DOOLITTLE. Madam Speaker, I urge an aye vote, and I yield back 
the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. Biggert). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from California (Mr. Doolittle) that the House 
suspend the rules and concur in the Senate amendments to the bill, H.R. 
659.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the Senate amendments were 
concurred in.
  The title of the bill was amended so as to read:

       ``An Act to authorize appropriations for the protection of 
     Paoli and Brandywine Battlefields in Pennsylvania, to 
     authorize the Valley Forge Museum of the American Revolution 
     at Valley Forge National Historical Park, and for other 
     purposes.''.

  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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