[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 83 (Thursday, June 14, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S6330]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. WARNER (for himself and Mr. Allen):
  S. 1051. A bill to expand the boundary of the Booker T. Washington 
National Monument, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Energy 
and Natural Resources.
  Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, today I rise to introduce a bill which 
will expand the borders of the Booker T. National Washington Monument 
in Virginia. This extraordinary 224 acres of rolling hills, woodlands, 
and agricultural fields preserves and protects the birth site and 
childhood home of Booker T. Washington. It interprets both his life 
experiences and significance in American history.
  On April 2, 1956 the Monument was authorized by Congress to create a 
``public national memorial to Booker T. Washington, noted Negro 
educator and apostle of good will . . .''. Mr. Washington was widely 
considered the most powerful African American of his time. This park 
provides a focal point for the continuing discussions on the context of 
race in American society, a resource for public education, and the 
continuation of his legacy today.
  The agricultural landscape surrounding the Monument plays a critical 
role in the park's interpretation of Washington's life as an enslaved 
child during the Civil War era. Many of his most significant 
experiences center on this small tobacco farm located near the rapidly 
developing recreational area of Smith Mountain Lake. It is remarkable 
that the area immediately surrounding the national monument remains 
relatively unchanged since the time of Booker T. Washington's birth.
  As part of the park's strategic plan, a viewshed study was conducted 
in 1998. It's purpose was to survey the surrounding lands in the most 
highly visited areas of the park and determine what visual effects 
urban development would have on the preservation of this historic site. 
The study identified a 15-acre parcel of land to be the most critical 
addition for this park because of its proximity to Booker T. 
Washington's birth site.
  Several private landowners now wish to sell some of the surrounding 
farmland, including the 15-acre tract identified in the viewshed study. 
I believe that in order to maintain this unique historic setting, the 
Park Service should acquire this property so that visitors will be able 
to experience the same pastoral setting that was so crucial to Booker 
T. Washington's life. I urge my colleagues to join me in preserving 
this important landmark in our nation's history for all future 
generations.
  I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the 
Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows;

                                S. 1051

       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 ``Booker T. Washington 
     National Monument Boundary Adjustment Act of 2001''.

     SEC. 2. BOUNDARY OF BOOKER T. WASHINGTON NATIONAL MONUMENT 
                   EXPANDED.

       The Act entitled ``An Act to provide for the establishment 
     of the Booker T. Washington National Monument'', approved 
     April 2, 1956 (16 U.S.C. 450ll et seq.), is amended by adding 
     at the end the following new section:

     ``SEC. 5. ADDITIONAL LANDS.

       ``(a) Lands Added to Monument.--The boundary of the Booker 
     T. Washington National Monument is modified to include the 
     approximately 15 acres, as generally depicted on the map 
     entitled ``Boundary Map, Booker T. Washington National 
     Monument, Franklin County, Virginia'', numbered BOWA 404/
     80,024, and dated February 2001. The map shall be on file and 
     available for inspection in the appropriate offices of the 
     National Park Service, Department of the Interior.
       ``(b) Acquisition of Additional Lands.--The Secretary of 
     the Interior is authorized to acquire from willing owners the 
     land or interests in land described in subsection (a) by 
     donation, purchase with donated or appropriated funds, or 
     exchange.
       ``(c) Administration of Additional Lands.--Lands added to 
     Booker T. Washington National Monument by subsection (a) 
     shall be administered by the Secretary of the Interior as 
     part of the monument in accordance with applicable laws and 
     regulations.''.
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