[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 47 (Tuesday, April 3, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E524]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              GOVERNORS ISLAND PRESERVATION ACT, H.R. 1334

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                        HON. BENJAMIN A. GILMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, April 3, 2001

  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to introduce H.R. 1334, the 
Governors Island Preservation Act. This legislation is a historic 
opportunity to preserve and protect the third and final jewel of New 
York Harbor, Governors Island.
  Governors Island was owned and operated as a military facility by the 
British and American Armed Forces for more than 200 years. This 
national treasure has played an important role in the Revolutionary 
War, the War of 1812, the American Civil War, World Wars I and II, as 
well as hosting the site of the 1988 Reagan-Gorbachev summit, during 
the Cold War.
  In 1800, in order to provide for the national defense, the people of 
the state of New York ceded control of Governors Island to the Federal 
government, then, in 1958, transferred the island outright for only 
$1.00.
  The U.S. Coast Guard has now vacated Governors Island because of the 
high costs involved in maintaining its base there. This now vacated 
island is being maintained by General Services Administration with an 
annual appropriation and, by law, which must be disposed of by 2002.
  At the end of last year, the first important step to preserving this 
national treasure was taken when Castle William and For Jay were 
designated national monuments.
  Now, both New York State and New York City need our help to preserve 
and protect one of our nation's most important and beautiful landmarks, 
and to be able to turn Governors Island into a destination with 
significant open and educational spaces for public use.
  The State and the City of New York have worked out a detailed plan 
which will protect the historic nature of the island while transforming 
the southern tip into a 50-acre public park, complete with recreation 
facilities and stunning views of the Statue of Liberty and the New York 
Harbor. New interactive educational facilities, including an aquarium 
and a historical village, are being planned, as is moderately-priced 
family lodging and a health center. The awe-inspiring opportunity we 
have to establish this new public space to complement both Liberty and 
Ellis Islands is unprecedented and mandates decisive action.
  Accordingly, this Governors Island Preservation Act will open the 
doors to this opportunity by transferring the island back from the 
Federal Government to the citizens of New York for the same nominal 
price the Federal Government paid.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to call upon all 
my colleagues in the House of Representatives, in asking their support 
for the Governors Island Preservation Act, H.R. 1334. Governor Pataki, 
our Senators, and Representatives Nadler, Maloney, and myself, have all 
worked diligently to address every concern and to develop bipartisan 
legislation which will open Governors Island up not only to the people 
of New York, but to our entire Nation.

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