Congressional Record, Volume 147 Issue 77 (Wednesday, June 6, 2001)

[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 77 (Wednesday, June 6, 2001)]
[House]
[Pages H2895-H2897]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

WILLIAM HOWARD TAFT NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE BOUNDARY ADJUSTMENT ACT OF
2001

Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules
and pass the bill (H.R. 1000) to adjust the boundary of the William
Howard Taft National Historic Site in the State of Ohio, to authorize
an exchange of land in connection with the historic site, and for other
purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read as follows:

H.R. 1000

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 ``William Howard Taft National
Historic Site Boundary Adjustment Act of 2001''.

SEC. 2. EXCHANGE OF LANDS AND BOUNDARY ADJUSTMENT, WILLIAM
HOWARD TAFT NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE, OHIO.

(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Historic site.--The term ``historic site'' means the
William Howard Taft National Historic Site in Cincinnati,
Ohio, established pursuant to Public Law 91-132 (83 Stat.
273; 16 U.S.C. 461 note).
(2) Map.--The term ``map'' means the map entitled
``Proposed Boundary Map, William Howard Taft National
Historic Site, Hamilton County, Cincinnati, Ohio,'' numbered
448/80,025, and dated November 2000.
(3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of the Interior, acting through the Director of the National
Park Service.
(b) Authorization of Land Exchange.--
(1) Exchange.--The Secretary may acquire a parcel of real
property consisting of less than one acre, which is depicted
on the map as the ``Proposed Exchange Parcel (Outside
Boundary)'', in exchange for a parcel of real property, also
consisting of less than one acre, which is depicted on the
map as the ``Current USA Ownership (Inside Boundary)''.
(2) Equalization of values.--If the values of the parcels
to be exchanged under paragraph (1) are not equal, the
difference may be equalized by donation, payment using
donated or appropriated funds, or the conveyance of
additional land.
(3) Adjustment of boundary.--The Secretary shall revise the
boundary of the historic site to reflect the exchange upon
its completion.
(c) Additional Boundary Revision and Acquisition
Authority.--
(1) Inclusion of parcel in boundary.--Effective on the date
of the enactment of this Act, the boundary of the historic
site is revised to include an additional parcel of real
property,

[[Page H2896]]

which is depicted on the map as the ``Proposed Acquisition''.
(2) Acquisition authority.--The Secretary may acquire the
parcel referred to in paragraph (1) by donation, purchase
from willing sellers with donated or appropriated funds, or
exchange.
(d) Availability of Map.--The map shall be on file and
available for public inspection in the appropriate offices of
the National Park Service.
(e) Administration of Acquired Lands.--Any lands acquired
under this section shall be administered by the Secretary as
part of the historic site in accordance with applicable laws
and regulations.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
North Carolina (Mr. Jones) and the gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands
(Mrs. Christensen) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Jones).
Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as
I may consume.
H.R. 1000, introduced by the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Portman), would
authorize the Secretary of Interior to adjust the boundary of the
William Howard Taft National Historic Site in Cincinnati, Ohio. This
site commemorates the only man to serve as President and Chief Justice
of the United States.
Specifically, the legislation authorizes the Secretary to acquire a
parcel of adjacent private property of less than one acre and exchange
it for a parcel of National Park Service property of less than one acre
located nearby. The transfer would be beneficial for the Taft site as
it would allow the facility to sit on a more contiguous site and
facilitate a more convenient parking facility.
In addition, the legislation authorizes a boundary expansion of the
historic site by allowing for the acquisition of an additional parcel
of property adjacent to the Taft site.
Mr. Speaker, this legislation is not controversial. It is supported
by the majority and minority and the administration. At the proper
time, I urge an ``aye'' vote on the bill.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
(Mrs. CHRISTENSEN asked and was given permission to revise and extend
her remarks.)
Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, William Howard Taft served as the
President of the United States from 1909 until 1913 and Chief Justice
of the United States Supreme Court from 1921 until his death in 1930.
Taft is the only person to have served in both capacities. The Taft
National Historic Site located in Cincinnati, Ohio, includes the house
where Taft was born, restored to its original appearance, as well as
exhibits on the former President's life and work.
H.R. 1000 authorizes the National Park Service to exchange a parcel
of Federal land at the site for a parcel owned by a nearby charter
school. If completed, the exchange will allow visitors to park closer
to the Taft home and facilitate a planned expansion of the charter
school.
In addition, the bill would alter the existing boundary on the Taft
site to include another parcel of private property adjacent to the
original Taft estate. The National Park Service has requested that the
property be included within the boundary so that the land could be
acquired if the owner ever decides to sell.
President Taft, we would all agree, is a significant figure in
American history, and we join our colleagues and the administration in
support of this legislation to improve the Taft historic site.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the
gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Portman).
Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in very strong support of the
legislation before us today, H.R. 1000, legislation I introduced
providing for an important land transfer and boundary adjustment for
the William Howard Taft National Historic Site in Cincinnati.
I would like to thank my cosponsor and colleague the gentleman from
Ohio (Mr. Chabot) whom I believe will speak in a moment. I would also
like to thank the leadership of the committee, the gentleman from Utah
(Mr. Hansen), the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Hefley), the gentleman
from North Carolina (Mr. Jones), the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr.
Rahall), and the gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands (Mrs. Christensen)
for her nice words and her help on this legislation as well as the
committee staff that helped put this together and have brought H.R.
1000 to this point.
Mr. Speaker, William Howard Taft, as was noted, is the only person to
have served as both President of the United States and Chief Justice of
the Supreme Court. Family influence, a love for the law, and personal
ambition propelled Will Taft into public service at a very young age.
As Solicitor General, Governor of the Philippines, and Secretary of
War, he represented our Nation well. He was then elected as the 27th
President of the United States in 1908 by an electoral vote count of 2
to 1. His significant legacies from the Taft administration are still
an important part of American life.
William Howard Taft realized a long-held dream in 1921 when President
Warren Harding named him 10th Chief Justice of the United States. In
fact, Mr. Speaker, my colleagues will be interested to know that
President Taft was so proud of his distinguished tenure as Chief
Justice that he was once quoted as having said, ``I don't remember
having been President.''
President Taft's boyhood home is located at 2038 Auburn Avenue in
Cincinnati. He lived in the home from the time of his birth until 1886
when he married Helen Herron and embarked on a journey that led him to
the White House and the highest court. This beautiful home where he
grew up and much of the original property is now the William Howard
Taft National Historic Site. It is administered by the National Park
Service which has an excellent relationship with the greater Cincinnati
community. There is a lot of community involvement in the birthplace.
H.R. 1000 is commonsense legislation to enhance the cultural heritage
of the beautiful Taft home.
The legislation provides for a simple land transfer between the Park
Service and the SABIS International School of Cincinnati. This transfer
is very important to the Taft home as it will bring the facility
together on one contiguous site. Currently when visiting the Taft home
or the education center that is next to it, visitors must park either
on a very busy street or in a parking lot that is located away from the
home at the other end of the block. The land the Park Service would
receive in this transfer would allow for a more convenient and safer
parking facility that would help attract more visitors. It would also
enable the Park Service to revert a portion of the area to green space
which is how it would have appeared, of course, when young Will Taft
was growing up in that home.
The transfer is also beneficial to the school. SABIS School likes
this because it allows the two plots of land they own to be located
directly across the street from each other. We have been working very
closely with the members of the SABIS administration, Mr. Speaker; and
I am pleased to say this morning that they are fully supportive of this
land transfer.
Mr. Speaker, the cost of H.R. 1000 to the Federal Government will be
at little or no cost depending on how the transfer of the lands are
exchanged because the parcels of land are actually of equal value.
Finally, the bill expands the park's boundary to include a 40-unit
apartment building. The owners of the building are fully supportive of
being included within the boundary and have an excellent relationship
themselves with the Park Service. They have worked closely with us and
with the Park Service. In fact, the Park Service currently rents office
space in the building and the facility's parking lot is already part of
the historic site. In effect, Mr. Speaker, this boundary adjustment
will give the Park Service an important right of first refusal should
that building ever be put up for sale.
In conclusion, I would like to thank again the leadership of the
committee, the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Hansen), the gentleman from
Colorado (Mr. Hefley), the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. Rahall),
the gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands (Mrs. Christensen), the
gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Jones), and others, for helping us
enhance the legacy

[[Page H2897]]

of William Howard Taft. I very much appreciate their assistance in
getting us to this point.
Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time,
and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the
gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Chabot).
Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, I thank my good friend from North Carolina
for yielding me this time. It has been an honor serving in the House
with him. We both came at the same time. He is truly a great American.
Mr. Speaker, I am also pleased to join with my very good friend and
colleague, the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Portman), in sponsoring H.R.
1000, the William Howard Taft National Historic Site Boundary
Adjustment Act of 2001. This legislation will enable the Department of
Interior to complete a land transaction that will allow for more
contiguous plots of land for President Taft's boyhood home in
Cincinnati, Ohio and authorize the acquisition of another parcel of
land adjacent to the site.
The City of Cincinnati is very proud to be a steward of this national
landmark and, as has been stated, the Taft historic site commemorates
the birthplace of the only man who served as both President of the
United States and as Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court
and that is Cincinnati's son, William Howard Taft.
During his distinguished career, William Howard Taft served as a
Federal judge, as President McKinley's appointee as Governor of the
Philippines, as President Theodore Roosevelt's Secretary of War, and in
1909 was sworn in as the 27th President of the United States. In 1921,
President Warren Harding appointed him as Chief Justice of the United
States Supreme Court.
The House where President Taft was born has been restored to its
original appearance and visitors to the site are treated to a tour of
the home, including four period rooms that reflect family life during
President Taft's boyhood. The home also includes educational exhibits
highlighting the 27th President's life and career, and the Taft
Education Center which houses classrooms for visiting school children.
Mr. Speaker, thousands of Americans enjoy visiting the William Howard
Taft historic site each year. I would urge students of American history
to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity when they visit our
great city of Cincinnati sometime, we hope, in the near future. I want
to again thank the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Portman) who has been a
great leader in this House on many other very, very important pieces of
legislation for his hard work on this issue. I urge my colleagues to
support the legislation.
Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests
for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Jones) that the House suspend the
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 1000, 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.

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