[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 163 (Wednesday, November 17, 1999)]
[House]
[Pages H12127-H12129]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   MINUTEMAN MISSILE NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE ESTABLISHMENT ACT OF 1999

  Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
Senate bill (S. 382) to establish the Minuteman Missile National 
Historic Site in the State of South Dakota, and for other purposes.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                                 S. 382

       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 ``Minuteman Missile National 
     Historic Site Establishment Act of 1999''.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.

       (a) Findings.--Congress finds that--
       (1) the Minuteman II intercontinental ballistic missile 
     (referred to in this Act as ``ICBM'') launch control facility 
     and launch facility known as ``Delta 1'' and ``Delta 9'', 
     respectively, have national significance as the best 
     preserved examples of the operational character of American 
     history during the Cold War;
       (2) the facilities are symbolic of the dedication and 
     preparedness exhibited by the missileers of the Air Force 
     stationed throughout the upper Great Plains in remote and 
     forbidding locations during the Cold War;
       (3) the facilities provide a unique opportunity to 
     illustrate the history and significance of the Cold War, the 
     arms race, and ICBM development; and
       (4) the National Park System does not contain a unit that 
     specifically commemorates or interprets the Cold War.
       (b) Purposes.--The purposes of this Act are--
       (1) to preserve, protect, and interpret for the benefit and 
     enjoyment of present and future generations the structures 
     associated with the Minuteman II missile defense system;
       (2) to interpret the historical role of the Minuteman II 
     missile defense system--
       (A) as a key component of America's strategic commitment to 
     preserve world peace; and

[[Page H12128]]

       (B) in the broader context of the Cold War; and
       (3) to complement the interpretive programs relating to the 
     Minuteman II missile defense system offered by the South 
     Dakota Air and Space Museum at Ellsworth Air Force Base.

     SEC. 3. MINUTEMAN MISSILE NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE.

       (a) Establishment.--
       (1) In general.--The Minuteman Missile National Historic 
     Site in the State of South Dakota (referred to in this Act as 
     the ``historic site'') is established as a unit of the 
     National Park System.
       (2) Components of site.--The historic site shall consist of 
     the land and interests in land comprising the Minuteman II 
     ICBM launch control facilities, as generally depicted on the 
     map referred to as ``Minuteman Missile National Historic 
     Site'', numbered 406/80,008 and dated September, 1998, 
     including--
       (A) the area surrounding the Minuteman II ICBM launch 
     control facility depicted as ``Delta 1 Launch Control 
     Facility''; and
       (B) the area surrounding the Minuteman II ICBM launch 
     control facility depicted as ``Delta 9 Launch Facility''.
       (3) Availability of map.--The map described in paragraph 
     (2) shall be on file and available for public inspection in 
     the appropriate offices of the National Park Service.
       (4) Adjustments to boundary.--The Secretary of the Interior 
     (referred to in this Act as the ``Secretary'') is authorized 
     to make minor adjustments to the boundary of the historic 
     site.
       (b) Administration of Historic Site.--The Secretary shall 
     administer the historic site in accordance with this Act and 
     laws generally applicable to units of the National Park 
     System, including--
       (1) the Act entitled ``An Act to establish a National Park 
     Service, and for other purposes'', approved August 25, 1916 
     (16 U.S.C. 1 et seq.); and
       (2) the Act entitled ``An Act to provide for the 
     preservation of historic American sites, buildings, objects, 
     and antiquities of national significance, and for other 
     purposes'', approved August 21, 1935 (16 U.S.C. 461 et 
     seq.).
       (c) Coordination With Heads of Other Agencies.--The 
     Secretary shall consult with the Secretary of Defense and the 
     Secretary of State, as appropriate, to ensure that the 
     administration of the historic site is in compliance with 
     applicable treaties.
       (d) Cooperative Agreements.--The Secretary may enter into 
     cooperative agreements with appropriate public and private 
     entities and individuals to carry out this Act.
       (e) Land Acquisition.--
       (1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), the 
     Secretary may acquire land and interests in land within the 
     boundaries of the historic site by--
       (A) donation;
       (B) purchase with donated or appropriated funds; or
       (C) exchange or transfer from another Federal agency.
       (2) Prohibited acquisitions.--
       (A) Contaminated land.--The Secretary shall not acquire any 
     land under this Act if the Secretary determines that the land 
     to be acquired, or any portion of the land, is contaminated 
     with hazardous substances (as defined in section 101 of the 
     Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and 
     Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 9601)), unless, with respect 
     to the land, all remedial action necessary to protect human 
     health and the environment has been taken under that Act.
       (B) South dakota land.--The Secretary may acquire land or 
     an interest in land owned by the State of South Dakota only 
     by donation or exchange.
       (f) General Management Plan.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 3 years after the date 
     funds are made available to carry out this Act, the Secretary 
     shall prepare a general management plan for the historic 
     site.
       (2) Contents of plan.--
       (A) New site location.--The plan shall include an 
     evaluation of appropriate locations for a visitor facility 
     and administrative site within the areas depicted on the map 
     described in subsection (a)(2) as--
       (i) ``Support Facility Study Area--Alternative A''; or
       (ii) ``Support Facility Study Area--Alternative B''.
       (B) New site boundary modification.--On a determination by 
     the Secretary of the appropriate location for a visitor 
     facility and administrative site, the boundary of the 
     historic site shall be modified to include the selected site.
       (3) Coordination with badlands national park.--In 
     developing the plan, the Secretary shall consider 
     coordinating or consolidating appropriate administrative, 
     management, and personnel functions of the historic site and 
     the Badlands National Park.

     SEC. 4. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       (a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated 
     such sums as are necessary to carry out this Act.
       (b) Air Force Funds.--
       (1) Transfer.--The Secretary of the Air Force shall 
     transfer to the Secretary any funds specifically appropriated 
     to the Air Force in fiscal year 1999 for the maintenance, 
     protection, or preservation of the land or interests in land 
     described in section 3.
       (2) Use of air force funds.--Funds transferred under 
     paragraph (1) shall be used by the Secretary for 
     establishing, operating, and maintaining the historic site.
       (c) Legacy Resource Management Program.--Nothing in this 
     Act affects the use of any funds available for the Legacy 
     Resource Management Program being carried out by the Air 
     Force that, before the date of enactment of this Act, were 
     directed to be used for resource preservation and treaty 
     compliance.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Utah (Mr. Hansen) and the gentleman from California (Mr. George Miller) 
each will 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. 382, introduced by Senator Tim Johnson from South 
Dakota, authorizes the establishment of the Minuteman Missile National 
Historic Site in the State of South Dakota as a unit of the National 
Park System. Recognition should also go to the gentleman from South 
Dakota (Mr. Thune), who has worked very hard to move this bill forward 
through the House.
  Mr. Speaker, in 1961, at the height of the Cold War, the United 
States deployed the Minuteman Intercontinental Ballistic Missile. By 
1963, Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota had a large combat-ready 
missile wing with 165 sites. With the collapse of the Soviet Union, the 
Cold War effectively ended, and in 1991 the United States signed the 
Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty with the Soviet Union.
  START I required that all Minuteman II missiles be deactivated, and 
in fact, the Delta Nine launch silo is the only IBM launch tube 
remaining. A special resource study which was completed in 1995 by the 
Departments of the Interior and Defense determined that establishing 
the Minuteman Missile National Historic Site was suitable and feasible.
  This site will be comprised of separate and discrete areas consisting 
of the Delta One launch control facility, the Delta Nine launch 
facility, along with a proposed visitor center administrative facility. 
The Secretary of the Interior is also directed to prepare a management 
plan for the site, in coordination with the Badlands National Park.
  This bill is supported by the administration and the minority, and I 
urge my colleagues to support S. 382.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such 
time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, S. 382, as just explained by the subcommittee chair, 
establishes the Minuteman National Historic Site in South Dakota to 
encompass both the Delta One and Delta Nine missile site at Ellsworth 
Air Force Base.
  We have no problem with this legislation, and recommend its passage.
  Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back 
the balance of my time.
  Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from South Dakota (Mr. Thune).
  Mr. THUNE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding time to 
me.
  Mr. Speaker, first let me thank the distinguished gentleman from Utah 
(Mr. Hansen), the chairman, for all his help in moving this 
legislation.

                              {time}  1200

  The other body has passed Senate bill 382, the Minuteman Missile 
National Historic Site Establishment Act of 1999, by unanimous consent 
back on March 25, 1999, and I urge the House to pass the bill today.
  I, like many other Americans, grew up during the Cold War when 
tensions between America and the Soviet Union were at their highest 
point. My memories of this time are vivid. I remember Vietnam, the 
renewed arms race, and the immense pride and patriotism that I felt 
when the Berlin Wall came down. During this period, 150 Minuteman II 
missiles remained on nuclear alert at Ellsworth Air Force Base.
  In western South Dakota, the 44th Missile Wing blended with the 
scenery with the Black Hills as a backdrop. Spread out over 13,500 
square miles, the soldiers grew to know the locals and the locals the 
soldiers. On the Fourth of July, 1994, when the wing was deactivated, 
something was missing on the high plains of western South Dakota. On 
occasion, I still meet soldiers who

[[Page H12129]]

manned the silo stationed at Ellsworth, and they tell me how wonderful 
the people of South Dakota are.
  Mr. Speaker, I grew up in Murdo, South Dakota, just 60 miles east on 
Interstate 90 from the Delta-1 Command Center. Surrounding that center 
were 10 nuclear missiles. In South Dakota, an important reality of the 
Cold War existed. For current generations and generations to come, the 
creation of the Minuteman Missile National Historic Site would provide 
an opportunity to see what happened behind the scenes. We can learn 
more about the story of the lives of the officers and men who lived and 
worked in the missile silos and command centers.
  Our opportunity to preserve this piece of history is limited because 
all Minuteman II silo launchers have been eliminated except for the 
site designated Delta-9. Delta-1 and Delta-9 provide a unique 
opportunity to preserve that history. Under an interagency agreement 
between the Air Force and the National Park Service, this site has been 
temporarily preserved. However, this agreement has expired, prompting 
the need for immediate legislative action.
  Congressional action on Senate bill 382 also bears important national 
security implications. The Ballistic Missile Development Organization's 
National Missile Defense program uses the boosters from Minuteman 
missiles in testing. However, the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, or 
START, precludes the use of encryption technology during flight tests 
until all missiles of a type have been retired or turned into a museum. 
Preservation of this site would eliminate the security concern.
  From a purely practical standpoint, the site is conveniently located 
along the major access highway to the Black Hills National Forest, 
Mount Rushmore National Monument and the Badlands National Park. The 
Minuteman Missile site would form a mutually beneficial relationship 
with the existing attractions.
  Mr. Speaker, we now face a crucial point that demands action. In 
addition to the encryption issue, an important landmark would be lost 
forever should the site be destroyed. These sites serve as an important 
reminder of our Cold War strategy and should be preserved for today and 
future generations.
  Mr. Speaker, there is a sign painted on the door leading into the 
Delta-1 control room. Below a pizza box someone wrote, and I quote, 
``Worldwide delivery in 30 minutes or less, or your next one is free.'' 
Dark humor, I know, but it was a reality. Civilization as we all know 
it could have been destroyed in 30 minutes. The character and 
personalities of our soldiers who served a critical role in the defense 
of our Nation should be preserved.
  Mr. Speaker, I therefore ask the House to join me in supporting this 
important legislation and to move closer to the establishment of what 
would prove to be an invaluable asset to this Nation.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Hansen) for his 
work in helping us move this legislation forward.
  First, let me thank Chairman Young and Chairman Hansen for all their 
help moving this legislation. The other body passed S. 382, the 
Minuteman Missile National Historic Site Establishment Act of 1999, by 
unanimous consent on March 25, 1999, and I urge the House to pass the 
bill today.
  I, like many Americans, grew up during the Cold War when tensions 
between America and the Soviet Union were at their highest point. My 
memories of this time are vivid. I remember Vietnam, the renewed arms 
race, and the immense pride and patriotism I felt when the Berlin Wall 
came down. During this period, 150 Minuteman II missiles remained on 
nuclear alert at Ellsworth AFB.
  In western South Dakota, the 44th missile wing blended with the 
scenery with the Black Hills as a backdrop. Spread out over 13,500 
square miles, the soldiers grew to know the locals and the locals the 
soldiers. On the Fourth of July 1994 when the wing was deactivated, 
something was missisng on the high plains of Western South Dakota. On 
occasion, I still meet soldiers who manned the silos stationed at 
Ellsworth, and they tell me how wonderful the people of South Dakota 
are.
  I grew up in Murdo, South Dakota, just 60 miles east on I-90 from the 
Delta One command center. Surrounding that center were 10 nuclear 
missiles. In South Dakota, an important reality of the Cold War 
existed. For current generations and generations to come, the creation 
of the Minuteman Missile National Historic Site would provide an 
opportunity to see what happened behind the scenes. We can learn more 
about the story of the lives of the officers who lived and worked in 
the missile silos and command centers.
  Our opportunities to preserve this piece of history are limited 
because all Minuteman II silo launchers have been eliminated except for 
the site designated Delta-9. Delta-1 and Delta-9 would provide a unique 
opportunity to preserve that history. Under an interagency agreement 
between the Air Force and the National Park Service, this site has been 
temporarily preserved. However, this agreement has expired, prompting 
the need for immediate legislative action.
  Congressional action on S. 382 also bears important national security 
implications. The Ballistic Missile Development Organization's National 
Missile Defense program uses the boosters from Minuteman Missiles in 
testing. However, the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) precludes 
the use of encryption technology during flight tests until all missiles 
of a type have been retired or turned into a museum. Preservation of 
this site would eliminate this security concern.
  From a purely practical standpoint, the site is conveniently located 
along the major access highway to the Black Hills National Forest, 
Mount Rushmore National Monument, and the Badlands National Park. The 
Minuteman Missile site would form a mutually beneficial relationship 
with the existing attractions.
  We now face a crucial point that demands action. In addition to the 
encryption issue, an important landmark would be lost forever should 
the site be destroyed. These sites serve as an important reminder of 
our Cold War strategy and should be preserved for today and future 
generations.
  There is a sign painted on the door leading into the Delta One 
control room. Below a pizza box, someone wrote, ``World-wide delivery 
in 30 minutes or less or your next one is free.'' Dark humor, I know, 
but it was a reality. Civilization as we all know it could have been 
destroyed in 30 minutes. The character and personalities of our 
soldiers who served a critical role in the defense of our nation should 
be preserved.
  I therefore, ask the House to join me in supporting this important 
legislation and move closer to the establishment of what would prove to 
be an invaluable asset to this nation.
  Mr. HEFLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 382 with one 
reservation. I do not oppose the establishment of the Minuteman Missile 
National Historic Site in the State of South Dakota. I do, however, 
have significant concerns with directing the Secretary of the Air Force 
to transfer funds to the Secretary of the Interior for the purpose of 
establishing, operating, and maintaining the site.
  In my judgment, the financial responsibility for maintaining the 
National Park System does not rest with the Department of the Air 
Force. Section 4(b) of the bill provides for such a transfer of funds. 
However, I would note that the funds specified for transfer in section 
4(b)(1) have expired. In the interest of facilitating the establishment 
of the Minuteman Missile National Historic Site, I saw no need, as a 
member of the Committee on Resources, to strike the moot provision 
concerning the transfer of funds and thereby send the bill back to the 
Senate at this late date in the session.
  As a member of the Committee on Armed Services and Chairman of the 
Subcommittee on Military Installations and Facilities, I want to note 
further that an authorization to transfer such funds is properly within 
the jurisdiction of the Committee on Armed Services. I think it is fair 
to say that the Committee, and certainly this member, would oppose any 
effort to compel the Secretary of the Air Force to utilize military 
construction, operations and maintenance, or other funds authorized and 
appropriated for fiscal year 2000 to support the establishment, 
operations, and maintenance of this site.
  Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. LaHood). 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. 382.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the Senate bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________