[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 134 (Tuesday, October 24, 2000)]
[House]
[Page H10574]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          AUTHORIZING RELOCATION OF HOME OF ALEXANDER HAMILTON

  Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 5478) to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to acquire 
by donation suitable land to serve as the new location for the home of 
Alexander Hamilton, commonly known as the Hamilton Grange, and to 
authorize the relocation of the Hamilton Grange to the acquired land.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 5478

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. RELOCATION AND PRESERVATION OF THE HAMILTON GRANGE 
                   IN NEW YORK CITY.

       Section 2 of Public Law 87-438, as amended by Public Law 
     100-701; 102 Stat. 4640; 16 U.S.C. 431 note) is amended--
       (1) by inserting ``(a) In General.--'' before ``The 
     Secretary of the Interior''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
       ``(b) Relocation of Hamilton Grange.--The Secretary is 
     authorized to acquire by donation from the City of New York, 
     New York, a parcel of land or suitable interests in such 
     land, not to exceed one acre, to serve as the new location 
     for the home of Alexander Hamilton, commonly known as the 
     Hamilton Grange, and to relocate the Hamilton Grange to such 
     land. The acquired land or interests in land shall be in 
     close proximity to the original location of Hamilton Grange 
     and shall be added to and administered as part of the 
     memorial.''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Utah (Mr. Hansen) and the gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands (Mrs. 
Christensen) 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, H.R. 5478 authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to 
acquire by donation suitable land to serve as the new location for the 
home of Alexander Hamilton. The home is commonly known as the Hamilton 
Grange.
  The bill would also authorize the relocation of the Hamilton Grange 
to the land acquired. Located in New York City, the Hamilton Grange was 
dedicated in 1962. The home, at its current location, is bordered by 
high-rise buildings and is not a suitable location. The City of New 
York has agreed to donate approximately one acre of land in a small 
park directly across the street so that the Hamilton home can be moved 
to a more suitable location.
  This bill will protect an important part of early American historical 
resources, and I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 5478.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join my colleague, the gentleman from 
Utah (Chairman Hansen), in supporting H.R. 5478.
  This bill would authorize the National Park Service to move the 
Hamilton Grange National Memorial from its current location to a nearby 
city park. The legislation authorizes the Park Service to accept up to 
one acre of the park as a donation from the City of New York.
  Commissioned in the late 1700s and completed in 1802, the Hamilton 
Grange served as Alexander Hamilton's home until his death. The Grange, 
named after Hamilton's ancestral home in Scotland, is the only home he 
ever owned.
  Unfortunately, the Park Service was forced to close the Grange due to 
its deteriorating condition. The site was recently reopened on a 
limited basis after desperately needed repairs. However, in order for 
the home to be fully appreciated as it appeared in Hamilton's day, it 
must be moved from its present location to the nearby park. Such a move 
is included in the General Management Plan for the site and the City of 
New York, the National Park Service, local community boards, churches, 
civic associations, preservationists and other relevant governmental 
agencies have all expressed their support for this plan.
  We, in the Virgin Islands, are proud that we are able to honor 
Alexander Hamilton in this way, who grew up in my island of St. Croix.
  Mr. Speaker, I commend the distinguished gentleman from New York (Mr. 
Rangel) for this bill, and I urge our colleagues to approve H.R. 5478.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Utah (Mr. Hansen) that the House suspend the rules and 
pass the bill, H.R. 5478.
  The question was taken; and the Speaker pro tempore announced that 
the ayes appeared to have it.
  Mr. HANSEN. 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, rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.
  The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.

                          ____________________