[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 132 (Thursday, October 19, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1834]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


        AUTHORIZING FUNDS FOR ILLINOIS/MICHIGAN CANAL COMMISSION

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                               speech of

                           HON. JERRY WELLER

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 17, 2000

  Mr. WELLER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support H.R. 3926, 
bipartisan legislation I introduced with Representatives Lipinski, 
Biggert, and Gutierrez. H.R. 3926 will increase the authorization cap 
of the Illinois and Michigan Canal Heritage Corridor from $250,000 to 
$1,000,000.
  The Illinois and Michigan Canal Heritage Corridor was the first park 
of its kind, established by Congress in 1984. Created for the 
historical and cultural importance of the Illinois and Michigan Canal, 
it was a ``partnership park'' which involved local decision making and 
input combined with federal designation and support. The corridor is 
special for many reasons; it includes valuable natural resources, state 
and local parks, transportation networks, cities and towns, rural and 
industrial uses, wildlife preserves and nature activities such as 
hiking, fishing, canoeing and camping. The heritage corridor has been 
critical to preserving historic sites that played a critical role in 
the history of Illinois and the nation.
  The I&M Canal was the first of the man-made waterways that 
established the corridor as a nationally significant transportation 
network. Much of the canal still exists along with the towns and cities 
and farms surrounding it. In fact, the canal encompasses five counties 
stretching from Chicago to LaSalle-Peru.
  Among the first visionaries of the Canal was Louis Joliet who 
conceptualized a system for bringing together the Great Lakes and the 
Mississippi as early as 1673. Plans and funding were developed in 1827 
and the route of the canal was settled upon. Twenty-one years later, 
the canal was opened for traffic for the first time--but this was only 
a beginning. The canal would grow substantially over the coming decades 
as it was influenced by enormous economic growth. In turn, the canal 
spurred its own economic growth and became the economic center of the 
region. The 97-mile canal was dug by hand, largely from immigrant Irish 
labor out of rock and was a minimum of 6 feet deep and 60 feet wide.
  The Canal helped to build Chicago and was the center of not only 
industrial growth but also agricultural growth. Mining industries grew 
along the canal and plants to process farm products were built. The 
canal also fostered the growth of the wallpaper and watch industry. 
Towns developed around the rapidly growing canal area and tolls on 
products shipped on the canal generated $1 million for the state.
  Shipping on the Canal peaked in 1882 then began a gradual decline due 
to rail and other forms of traffic. The I&M Canal closed in 1933 after 
the development of the Illinois Waterway, but in that same year the 
Civilian Conservation Corps began work that created many of the parks 
and trails that line the canal today. In 1974, the 60 mile section from 
Joliet to LaSalle was designated the Illinois & Michigan Canal State 
Trial under the stewardship of the Illinois Department of Conservation.
  Now as the Illinois and Michigan Canal National Heritage Corridor, 
the canal continues to provide unparalleled cultural and recreational 
opportunities for residents and visitors. A partnership exists between 
The Illinois and Michigan Canal National Heritage Corridor Commission, 
the Canal Corridor Association, the Heritage Corridor Convention and 
Visitors Bureau and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources which 
ensures the continuing development of the canal and its resources.
  The I&M Canal needs to be able to access additional funds for many 
worthwhile projects including heritage tourism projects, heritage 
education, and preservation and conservation. An increase in the 
authorization cap will allow the possibility of increased funding, 
providing the development and improvement of parks and museums across 
the canal. Teachers will be able to be trained and student resources 
will be developed and enhanced. Vital historic resources such as the 
I&M Canal, architecture, landscapes and Native American archaeological 
sites will be preserved and revitalized.
  Mr. Speaker, 16 heritage corridors have been created since the 
Illinois and Michigan Canal Heritage Corridor, and all but three have 
received $1,000,000 authorization caps. It is time to bring the 
Illinois and Michigan Canal in line with these other heritage areas and 
provide it the opportunity for additional funding. I thank Chairmen 
Young and Hansen for allowing this bill to come to the floor today and 
I thank all cosponsors of this legislation and urge its passage.

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