[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 130 (Tuesday, October 17, 2000)]
[House]
[Pages H10011-H10013]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
RICHMOND NATIONAL BATTLEFIELD PARK ACT OF 2000
Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 5225) to revise the boundaries of the Richmond National
Battlefield Park based on the findings of the Civil War Sites Advisory
Committee and the National Park Service and to encourage cooperative
management, protection, and interpretation of the resources associated
with the Civil War and the Civil War battles in and around the city of
Richmond Virginia, as amended.
The Clerk read as follows:
H.R. 5225
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; DEFINITIONS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Richmond
National Battlefield Park Act of 2000''.
(b) Definitions.--In this Act:
(1) Battlefield park.--The term ``battlefield park'' means
the Richmond National Battlefield Park.
(2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of the Interior.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.
(a) Findings.--The Congress finds the following:
(1) In the Act of March 2, 1936 (Chapter 113; 49 Stat.
1155; 16 U.S.C. 423j), Congress authorized the establishment
of the Richmond National Battlefield Park, and the boundaries
of the battlefield park were established to permit the
inclusion of all military battlefield areas related to the
battles fought during the Civil War in the vicinity of the
city of Richmond, Virginia. The battlefield park originally
included the area then known as the Richmond Battlefield
State Park.-
(2) The total acreage identified in 1936 for consideration
for inclusion in the battlefield park consisted of
approximately 225,000 acres in and around the city of
Richmond. A study undertaken by the congressionally
authorized Civil War Sites Advisory Committee determined that
of these 225,000 acres, the historically significant areas
relating to the campaigns against and in defense of Richmond
encompass approximately 38,000 acres.
(3) In a 1996 general management plan, the National Park
Service identified approximately 7,121 acres in and around
the city of Richmond that satisfy the National Park Service
criteria of significance, integrity, feasibility, and
suitability for inclusion in the battlefield park. The
National Park Service later identified an additional 186
acres for inclusion in the battlefield park.
(4) There is a national interest in protecting and
preserving sites of historical significance associated with
the Civil War and the city of Richmond.
(5) The Commonwealth of Virginia and its local units of
government have authority to prevent or minimize adverse uses
of these historic resources and can play a significant role
in the protection of the historic resources related to the
campaigns against and in defense of Richmond.
(6) The preservation of the New Market Heights Battlefield
in the vicinity of the city of Richmond is an important
aspect of American history that can be interpreted to the
public. The Battle of New Market Heights represents a premier
landmark in black military history as 14 black Union soldiers
were awarded the Medal of Honor in recognition of their valor
during the battle. According to National Park Service
historians, the sacrifices of the United States Colored
Troops in this battle helped to ensure the passage of the
Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution to
abolish slavery.
(b) Purpose.--It is the purpose of this Act--
(1) to revise the boundaries for the Richmond National
Battlefield Park based on the findings of the Civil War Sites
Advisory Committee and the National Park Service; and
(2) to direct the Secretary of the Interior to work in
cooperation with the Commonwealth of Virginia, the city of
Richmond, other political subdivisions of the Commonwealth,
other public entities, and the private sector in the
management, protection, and interpretation of the resources
associated with the Civil War and the Civil War battles in
and around the city of Richmond, Virginia.
SEC. 3. RICHMOND NATIONAL BATTLEFIELD PARK; BOUNDARIES.
(a) Establishment and Purpose.--For the purpose of
protecting, managing, and interpreting the resources
associated with the Civil War battles in and around the city
of Richmond, Virginia, there is established the Richmond
National Battlefield Park consisting of approximately 7,307
acres of land, as generally depicted on the map entitled
``Richmond National Battlefield Park Boundary Revision'',
numbered 367N.E.F.A.80026A, and dated September 2000. The map
shall be on file in the appropriate offices of the National
Park Service.
(b) Boundary Adjustments.--The Secretary may make minor
adjustments in the boundaries of the battlefield park
consistent with section 7(c) of the Land and Water
Conservation Fund Act of 1965 (16 U.S.C. 4601-9(c)).
SEC. 4. LAND ACQUISITION.
(a) Acquisition Authority.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary may acquire lands, waters,
and interests in lands within the boundaries of the
battlefield park from willing landowners by donation,
purchase with donated or appropriated funds, or exchange. In
acquiring lands and interests in lands under this Act, the
Secretary shall acquire the minimum interest necessary to
achieve the purposes for which the battlefield is
established.
(2) Special rule for private lands.--Privately owned lands
or interests in lands may be acquired under this Act only
with the consent of the owner.
(b) Easements.--
(1) Outside boundaries.--The Secretary may acquire an
easement on property outside the boundaries of the
battlefield park and around the city of Richmond, with the
consent of the owner, if the Secretary determines that the
easement is necessary to protect core Civil War resources as
identified by the Civil War Sites Advisory Committee. Upon
acquisition of the easement, the Secretary shall revise the
boundaries of the battlefield park to include the property
subject to the easement.
(2) Inside boundaries.--To the extent practicable, and if
preferred by a willing landowner, the Secretary shall use
permanent conservation easements to acquire interests in land
in lieu of acquiring land in fee simple and thereby removing
land from non-Federal ownership.
(c) Visitor Center.--The Secretary may acquire the Tredegar
Iron Works buildings and associated land in the city of
Richmond for use as a visitor center for the battlefield
park.
SEC. 5. PARK ADMINISTRATION.
(a) Applicable Laws.--The Secretary, acting through the
Director of the National Park Service, shall administer the
battlefield park in accordance with this Act and laws
generally applicable to units of the National Park System,
including the Act of August 25, 1916 (16 U.S.C. 1 et. seq.)
and the Act of August 21, 1935 (16 U.S.C. 461 et. seq.).
(b) New Market Heights Battlefield.--The Secretary shall
provide for the establishment of a monument or memorial
suitable to honor the 14 Medal of Honor recipients from the
United States Colored Troops who fought in the Battle of New
Market Heights. The Secretary shall include the Battle of New
Market Heights and the role of black Union soldiers in the
battle in historical interpretations provided to the public
at the battlefield park.
(c) Cooperative Agreements.--The Secretary may enter into
cooperative agreements with the Commonwealth of Virginia, its
political subdivisions (including the city of Richmond),
private property owners, and other members of the private
sector to develop mechanisms to protect and interpret the
historical resources within the battlefield park in a manner
that would allow for continued private ownership and use
where compatible with the purposes for which the battlefield
is established.
(d) Technical Assistance.--The Secretary may provide
technical assistance to the Commonwealth of Virginia, its
political subdivisions, nonprofit entities, and private
property owners for the development of comprehensive plans,
land use guidelines, special studies, and other activities
that are consistent with the identification, protection,
interpretation, and commemoration of historically significant
Civil War resources located inside and outside of the
boundaries of the battlefield park. The technical assistance
does not authorize the Secretary to own or manage any of the
resources outside the battlefield park boundaries.
[[Page H10012]]
SEC. 6. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are
necessary to carry out this Act.
SEC. 7. REPEAL OF SUPERSEDED LAW.
The Act of March 2, 1936 (Chapter 113; 16 U.S.C. 423j-423l)
is repealed.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
California (Mr. Calvert) and the gentleman from New Mexico (Mr. Udall)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California (Mr. Calvert).
Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, H.R. 5225, introduced by the gentleman from Virginia
(Mr. Bliley), chairman of the Committee on Commerce, revises the
boundaries of the Richmond National Battlefield Park. These revisions
are based on the findings of the Civil War Sites Advisory Committee and
the National Park Service. The bill also encourages cooperative
management, protection and interpretation of the resources associated
with the Civil War and the Civil War battles in and around the city of
Richmond, Virginia.
The boundary revision would establish the Richmond National
Battlefield Park to include approximately 7,300 acres. The bill
authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to acquire land within the
boundaries of the new park, but only from willing sellers. This bill
also specifies that, to the extent practicable, the Secretary will
purchase permanent conservation easements in lieu of outright land
acquisitions.
H.R. 5225 also directs the Secretary to provide for the establishment
of a suitable monument or memorial to honor the 14 Medal of Honor
recipients from the United States Colored Troops who fought in the
Battle of New Market Heights.
Mr. Speaker, this is an important piece of legislation, and I urge my
colleagues to support H.R. 5225 with an amendment.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
may consume.
Mr. Speaker, H.R. 5225 would revise the boundaries of the Richmond
National Battlefield Park in Virginia to include important resources
related to the Civil War battles in and around the city of Richmond,
Virginia.
The park was established in 1936 to preserve and commemorate several
Civil War battles that took place as part of the capture of the
Confederate capital. However, several important sites and resources are
not currently within the park boundaries. H.R. 5225 would correct the
situation and provides a means to protect and interpret additional
Civil War resources. In addition, the bill provides recognition for the
New Market Heights Battlefield where 14 Medals of Honor were awarded to
African Americans. This is a fitting tribute to the extraordinary
bravery that was exhibited there.
Mr. Speaker, H.R. 5225 has the support of the administration and the
local community. We support it as well and urge its adoption by the
House.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the
gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Bliley), who represents the great city of
Richmond, Virginia, the chairman of the Committee on Commerce.
Mr. BLILEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this
time.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5225, the Richmond
National Battlefield Park Act of 2000. This legislation, as has been
pointed out, has the support of the National Park Service; it has the
support of the local boards of supervisors and the Henrico County
NAACP.
As the proud holder of the congressional district with the most Civil
War battlefields, I am particularly sensitive to the role these sites
play in our Nation's history.
Driving through the Seventh Congressional District of Virginia is,
quite literally, a tour of the land which contained the bloodiest
fighting during the most tumultuous time in our Nation's history.
As I travel the seventh district, I pass Brandy Station, the site of
the largest cavalry battle of the war; Cold Harbor and the Wilderness,
which held some of the most ferocious fighting; and the Tredegar Iron
Works, which served as the arsenal of the Confederacy.
Not surprisingly, with these important sites so close to privately
owned land, there is a great deal of tension between those wanting to
preserve these important sites and those wanting to use their own land
as they see fit.
Today, with the passage of this legislation, we take a great step
towards protecting the rights of the landowners and preserving these
Civil War sites for future generations.
For many years, citizens in and around the city of Richmond have
lived in the shadow of the Richmond Battlefield Park. Since 1936, when
the battlefield park was created, the boundary of the park has
encompassed 225,000 acres, including a good portion of the city of
Richmond.
Property owners inside the park boundary have lived with the
knowledge that the National Park Service possesses condemnation
authority over their land, though I must say they have never used it.
At any time, the National Park Service might purchase land without the
consent of the property owners. Today, we put an end to the landowners'
fears that the Park Service may take their land for use by the Richmond
National Battlefield Park.
First and foremost, this legislation accomplishes the long-time goal
of repealing the National Park Service's condemnation authority within
the park. Landowners no longer have to worry about losing their
property to the Federal Government.
The bill also allows the use of Federal funds to buy battlefield land
for the park from willing sellers. Only those wanting to sell their
product to the National Park Service may do so.
Landowners also have the option of allowing the National Park Service
easements on their property for use in historic interpretation instead
of the outright sale of land. This is a win for private landowners, the
Park Service, and preservationists.
Next, the legislation restricts the acreage the battlefield park can
acquire to specific, more limited tracts of land. This legislation
limits the battlefield park to approximately 7,300 acres, which
includes only the most significant and historic land.
The Richmond National Battlefield Park Act also addresses two very
important historic landmarks, the Tredegar Ironworks and the New Market
Heights Battlefield.
The act authorizes the use of the Tredegar Ironworks as the park's
main visitor center. The Tredegar Ironworks, located on the bank of the
James River, was the only page foundry and rolling mill in the South.
The legislation authorizes the Park Service to use this facility to
help visitors better understand the battlefields around Richmond and
their impact on the Civil War.
Lastly, this legislation emphasizes the importance of the Battle of
New Market Heights as a premier landmark in black military history.
Many African American soldiers fought bravely and selflessly during the
Civil War. However, very few were officially recognized for valor
during that war. Indeed, black soldiers received only 16 Medals of
Honor during the Civil War. Fourteen of those were awarded for valor at
New Market Heights.
The importance of New Market Heights should not be underestimated,
and this legislation reflects upon the importance of the battle.
The act also directs the Secretary of the Interior to provide for the
establishment of a monument to honor the 14 black Medal of Honor
winners at New Market Heights. While this legislation does not
specifically state that this monument be located at New Market Heights,
it is the intent of Congress that this monument be located there.
{time} 1730
It is appropriate for Congress to take this action. While it has
taken a long time, the bravery and sacrifice of these soldiers must be
honored.
In closing, Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from Alaska
(Mr. Young) and the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Hansen) for their help
with this legislation. Four years ago we came very close to passing
similar legislation. Always a man of his word, in 1996
[[Page H10013]]
the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young) promised me that he would revisit
the issue, and I am grateful for his help today.
Lastly, I would like to thank my colleague, the gentleman from
Virginia (Mr. Scott), and his staff for their hard work on this
legislation. This is bipartisan common sense legislation which will
have a positive impact on Richmond. My colleague, the gentleman from
Virginia (Mr. Scott), shares a great deal of the credit for the passage
of this legislation.
Mr. Speaker, I urge support of this legislation.
Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may
consume to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Scott), who also has worked
with the Committee on Resources and played a key role on this
legislation.
Mr. SCOTT. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this
time.
Mr. Speaker, I join with my colleague, the gentleman from Virginia
(Mr. Bliley), in support of this important measure which reauthorizes
the boundaries for the Richmond National Battlefield Park and
establishes a memorial to honor the 14 black Union soldiers who were
awarded the Medal of Honor for their valor during the battle of New
Market Heights.
Let me share with my colleagues just for a moment the story behind
the battle of New Market Heights. During the Civil War, on September
29, 1864, near Richmond, Virginia, Union forces attacked an important
and heavily fortified Confederate position on a low ridge overlooking
flat open terrain. It was on this particular day at New Market Heights
that history would be made.
Soldiers then referred to as U.S. colored troops would assault the
Confederate position, suffer extreme losses, and have 14 of their
members receive Medals of Honor for their bravery in action. It is
significant that only two more army medals were awarded to African
Americans during the balance of the Civil War, and no other battle in
the entire war generated 14 Medal of Honor designees.
Until recently, the story of these valiant 14 African-American
soldiers was scarcely remembered or retold, even though some have
described this battle to be one of the Nation's most forgotten historic
sites. With the assistance of my colleague, the gentleman from Virginia
(Mr. Bliley), this legislation will provide appropriate recognition of
these 14 men and will ensure that the battle of New Market Heights will
be recognized for its historic significance.
This legislation is also important because it responds to the
concerns of nearby landowners who have worried about the possibility of
having their land taken by the Richmond National Battlefield Park. For
too long the park has had the ability to use the power of eminent
domain to take property without the consent of landowners. This bill
recognizes those concerns and removes the cloud of uncertainty and
concern of residents near the battlefield by prohibiting the
acquisition of land without the consent of landowners.
Furthermore, the bill responds to other concerns that the technical
boundaries of the park cover a lot more land than is necessary. The
bill significantly reduces the area designated for potential use by the
park to cover only that land which has been determined to have historic
significance.
Mr. Speaker, H.R. 5225 responds to the concerns of landowners in
Henrico County, Virginia, and focuses the resources of the National
Park Service on the truly historically significant sites, and it gives
proper recognition to the valiant African-American soldiers at New
Market Heights. I, therefore, join my colleague from Virginia, with
whom I have worked in a bipartisan manner on this bill, in support of
the bill, and I urge its immediate passage.
Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume
just to say that it is altogether fitting and proper that this
legislation today is offered by the gentleman from Richmond, Virginia
(Mr. Bliley), and this is certainly worthwhile and I urge its unanimous
passage.
Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back
the balance of my time.
Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for
time, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Pease). The question is on the motion
offered by the gentleman from California (Mr. Calvert) that the House
suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 5225, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________