[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 142 (Tuesday, October 23, 2001)]
[House]
[Pages H7151-H7153]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         MOCCASIN BEND NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE ESTABLISHMENT ACT

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 980) to establish the Moccasin Bend National Historic Site 
in the State of Tennessee as a unit of the National Park System, as 
amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                                H.R. 980

       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 ``Moccasin Bend National 
     Historic Site Establishment Act''.

     SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

       For the purposes of this Act the following definitions 
     apply:
       (1) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of the Interior.
       (2) Historic site.--The term ``historic site'' means the 
     Moccasin Bend National Historic Site.

[[Page H7152]]

       (3) State.--The term ``State'' means the State of 
     Tennessee.
       (4) Map.--The term ``Map'' means the map entitled 
     ``Boundary Map, Moccasin Bend National Historic Site'', 
     numbered NAMB/80000A, and dated September 2001.

     SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT.

       (a) In General.--In order to preserve, protect, and 
     interpret for the benefit of the public the nationally 
     significant archeological and historic resources located on 
     the peninsula known as Moccasin Bend, Tennessee, there is 
     established as a unit of the National Park System the 
     Moccasin Bend National Historic Site.
       (b) Boundaries.--The historic site shall consist of 
     approximately 900 acres generally depicted on the Map. The 
     Map shall be on file and available for public inspection in 
     the appropriate offices of the National Park Service, 
     Department of the Interior. The Secretary may make minor 
     revisions in the boundaries of the historic site in 
     accordance with section 7(c) of the Land and Water 
     Conservation Fund Act of 1965 (16 U.S.C. 4601-9(c)).
       (c) Acquisition of Land and Interests in Land.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary may acquire by donation or 
     purchase from willing sellers, using donated or appropriated 
     funds, lands and interests in lands within the exterior 
     boundary of the historic site.
       (2) Moccasin bend mental health institute.--Notwithstanding 
     paragraph (1), the Secretary may acquire the State-owned land 
     and interests in land (including structures on that land) 
     known as the Moccasin Bend Mental Health Institute for 
     inclusion in the historic site only by donation and only 
     after the facility is no longer used to provide health care 
     services, except that the Secretary may acquire by donation 
     only, at any time, any such State-owned land or interests in 
     land that the State determines is excess to the needs of the 
     Moccasin Bend Mental Health Institute. The Secretary may work 
     with the State through a cost sharing arrangement for the 
     purpose of demolishing the structures located on that land 
     that the Secretary determines should be demolished.
       (3) Easement outside boundary.--To allow access between 
     areas of the historic site that on the date of the enactment 
     of this Act are noncontiguous, the Secretary may acquire by 
     donation or purchase from willing owners, using donated or 
     appropriated funds, an easement connecting the areas 
     generally depicted on the Map as the ``Moccasin Bend 
     Archeological National Historic Landmark'' and the ``Rock-
     Tenn'' property.
       (d) Moccasin Bend Golf Course.--On the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, the boundary of the historic site 
     shall not include the approximately 157 acres of land 
     generally depicted on the Map as the ``Golf Course'' as such 
     lands shall not be within the boundary of the historic site. 
     In the event that those lands are no longer used as a public 
     golf course, the Secretary may acquire the lands for 
     inclusion in the historic site by donation only. Upon such 
     acquisition, the Secretary shall adjust the boundary of the 
     historic site to include the newly acquired lands.
       (e) Radio Tower Property.--On the date of the enactment of 
     this Act, the boundary of the historic site shall not include 
     the approximately 13 acres of land generally depicted on the 
     Map as ``WDEF''. In the event that those lands are no longer 
     used as a location from which to transmit radio signals, the 
     Secretary may acquire the lands for inclusion in the historic 
     site by donation or purchase from willing sellers with 
     appropriated or donated funds. Upon such acquisition, the 
     Secretary shall adjust the boundary of the historic site to 
     include the newly acquired lands.

     SEC. 4. ADMINISTRATION.

       (a) In General.--The historic site shall be administered by 
     the Secretary in accordance with this Act and with the laws 
     generally applicable to units of the National Park System.
       (b) Cooperative Agreement.--The Secretary may consult and 
     enter into cooperative agreements with culturally affiliated 
     federally recognized Indian tribes, governmental entities, 
     and interested persons to provide for the restoration, 
     preservation, development, interpretation, and use of the 
     historic site.
       (c) Visitor Interpretive Center.--For purposes of 
     interpreting the historical themes and cultural resources of 
     the historic site, the Secretary may establish and administer 
     a visitor center in the development of the center's operation 
     and interpretive programs.
       (d) General Management Plan.--Not later than three years 
     after funds are made available for this purpose, the 
     Secretary shall develop and submit to the Committee on Energy 
     and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on 
     Resources of the House of Representatives a general 
     management plan for the historic site. The general management 
     plan shall describe the appropriate protection and 
     preservation of natural, cultural, and scenic resources, 
     visitor use, and facility development within the historic 
     area consistent with the purposes of this Act, while ensuring 
     continued access to private landowners to their property.

     SEC. 5. REPEAL OF PREVIOUS ACQUISITION AUTHORITY.

       The Act of August 3, 1950 (Chapter 532; 16 U.S.C. 424a-4) 
     is repealed.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Radanovich) and the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. 
Rahall) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California (Mr. Radanovich).
  Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 908, introduced by the gentleman from Tennessee 
(Mr. Wamp), establishes the Moccasin Bend National Historical Site as a 
unit of the National Park System. The gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. 
Wamp) is to be commended for his very hard work in bringing this bill 
to the floor and addressing a number of issues of concern. Because of 
his efforts and the advocacy that he participated in, the bill is now 
ready to move forward.
  This area of land, approximately 900 acres along the Tennessee River 
in Chattanooga, contains a number of historical artifacts and played a 
large role during the Civil War. Moccasin Bend was studied by the 
National Park Service, which recommended this area for inclusion as a 
park unit because it possessed an extensive range of historic themes 
and cultural resources.
  Mr. Speaker, this bill was amended during committee proceedings in 
order to address many of the concerns voiced by the minority and the 
Park Service, especially with the future of the public golf course and 
the mental health facility boundaries and adjustments.
  Most of these major problems have been worked out, and the bill is 
now supported by both the minority and the administration. Furthermore, 
appropriations for the acquisition have already been included in this 
year's budget, and authorization is required in order to proceed.
  Mr. Speaker, I again congratulate the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. 
Wamp) on his very hard work on this bill, and I urge my colleagues to 
support H.R. 908, as amended.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, Moccasin Bend is an area near Chattanooga, Tennessee, 
where archeologists have unearthed evidence of Native American 
inhabitants dating back thousands of years, mingled with important 
artifacts from the Civil War. In fact, this area is thought to be one 
of the most important Native American sites within any American city. 
Yet, Moccasin Bend enjoys no uniform protection.
  The area is home to a number of uses that are inconsistent with 
providing the area and its artifacts the protection they deserve. H.R. 
980 will be an important step in changing this. The legislation will 
designate a major portion of Moccasin Bend as a national historic park, 
to be managed and preserved by the National Park Service. Once fully 
established, future generations will be able to visit this new unit and 
explore firsthand thousands of years of history.
  It should be noted that passage of H.R. 980 does not mean that there 
is no more to be done at Moccasin Bend. Several of the parcels in the 
area simply cannot be included in the park at this time. However, this 
legislation provides us with the tools we need to include those areas 
in the near future, and we look forward to working with the gentleman 
from Tennessee (Mr. Wamp) and the local community to ensure this area 
will be fully protected.
  Mr. Speaker, we support H.R. 980 and urge our colleagues to do 
likewise.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to 
the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Wamp).
  (Mr. Wamp asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. WAMP. Mr. Speaker, I have been privileged for the last 43 years 
to call Chattanooga, Tennessee my hometown. Chattanooga, the word, is a 
derivative of a Creek Indian word which means ``rock coming to a 
point,'' because what those Native Americans saw there above the 
Tennessee River as it meanders through the foothills of Appalachia is 
Lookout Mountain coming to a point. They had a Creek Indian word that 
later became ``Chattanooga.''
  If we stand on the northern tip of Lookout Mountain at Point Park, 
which is part of the Chickamauga Chattanooga National Military Park 
where the Civil War was fought, and we overlook the City of Chattanooga 
and the Tennessee River, we literally look right down on this boot, 
this moccasin called Moccasin Bend.
  It is a peninsula that is rich, I mean rich, with human history. As a 
matter of fact, anthropologists say that there

[[Page H7153]]

is not another unit in the National Park System that is as rich. They 
call it a constellation of human habitation through the various time 
periods dating back 10,500 years. That is the known human habitation 
and human history of Moccasin Bend.
  But when we looked down at Moccasin Bend when it was just raw land, 
it was beautiful. It is still beautiful today, but as the gentleman 
from West Virginia says, it actually has been cut up somewhat because 
of buildings that have been built on it and different infrastructure 
that has been placed there. However, it is time, long past time, to 
preserve this particular asset through our National Park System.
  Mr. Speaker, about 5 years ago, as a member of the Subcommittee on 
Interior of the Committee on Appropriations, we were able to insert the 
money for this study that our chairman, the gentleman from California, 
referred to. The study came back and clearly determined the national 
significance, the suitability, and the feasibility of adding Moccasin 
Bend to the National Park System.
  When we look back on the human history, believe it or not, we have 
proof that hunters, human hunters, hunted mammoth and mastodon here on 
Moccasin Bend; then later white-tailed deer. Then we know the history 
that the Native Americans actually lived there.
  As the Spanish explorers DeSoto and DeLuna came through this part of 
our country on their way, DeSoto to the Mississippi River 450 years 
ago, their colleagues and their contemporaries actually made a home 
here on Moccasin Bend. Then the Trail of Tears crossed Moccasin Bend 
not once but twice as that tragic chapter in American history took 
place. The Civil War, different assets of the Civil War are there. 
There were actually gun embankments there and emplacements there on 
Moccasin Bend. So it is rich with human history, and it needs to be 
preserved and protected.
  Two main barriers existed. With regard to the Moccasin Bend Mental 
Health Center, we found a way to grandfather that in, and even to free 
up the State of Tennessee to go ahead and convey all the property 
except where the buildings actually sit, so that the park can go ahead 
and establish its boundaries.
  Also, there is a municipal golf course there that the city and county 
jointly own. We allowed it to be left alone, and at a later time, 
whenever there is no longer a golf course there, the property can be 
added. The Secretary of the Interior can just take it.
  So in both cases we had to find a compromise, so we were building 
consensus, and we have. Part of the bill specifically addresses an 
interpretive center where we can interpret the Native American history.
  If Members have been to Chattanooga lately, they know what a 
wonderful place it has become. In the last 15 years, it has been 
transformed into a people place. All up and down the Tennessee River 
are river walks and trails. This national park addition will very much 
compliment what has already been done there with public-private 
partnerships and a tremendous infusion of private capital to bring 
people back to the river and reclaiming our heritage.
  The beautiful Tennessee Aquarium is one of the largest tourist draws 
in the Southeast there. So many activities have taken place, and this 
fits right into it.
  The compromise ends up being about 900 acres into the National Park 
System. It has been supported by our city, by our county; the State of 
Tennessee is in favor of this. We have unanimous support from the 
Tennessee congressional delegation, both parties. The cultural 
committee of the five civilized tribes of Cherokees and Native 
Americans have supported this proposal.
  The group that kept this dream alive from 1950 until now, and see, 
this original legislation passed in 1950 to add this to the National 
Park System, but Governor Frank Clement at the time decided to build a 
mental health center there. He did not sign the legislation. Now our 
colleague, his son, the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Clement) is 
cosponsor of the legislation to finally add Moccasin Bend into the 
National Park System. We are encouraged by that greatly. Over the last 
50 years, organizations have tried to bring this back up, but in the 
last 6 years or so an organization called Friends of Moccasin Bend have 
done yeoman's work in making this a reality.

  We commend Mickey Robbins and Jay Mills, Bob Hunter, Mike Mann, Meg 
Beene, and many others: City Councilpersons Sally Robinson and John 
Taylor; our new Mayor, Bob Corker; County Executive Claude Ramsey. We 
have done very well to bring all these people together.
  In closing, Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the committees very, 
very much: the ranking member, the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. 
Rahall) and the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Hansen); at the subcommittee 
level, the gentleman from Colorado (Chairman Hefley), and now the 
gentleman from California (Chairman Radanovich), and the ranking 
member, the gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands (Mrs. Christensen), 
have worked with us to try to dot our I's and cross our T's.
  There has been excellent staff support: Robb Howarth and Tod Hall; on 
the minority side, David Watkins has been very helpful. At the 
subcommittee level of the Committee on Appropriations, both in the 
Subcommittee on Interior and the Subcommittee on Energy and Water 
Development, where I serve, all of our staff members have been 
extremely helpful.
  This is a great day in the history of our city and our region because 
Moccasin Bend needs to be a separate unit in the National Park System, 
a national historic site. Today, with bipartisan support, I hope we 
will pass this bill through the House of Representatives and send it to 
the United States Senate, and get in line so that when President Bush 
lifts the moratorium on new additions into the National Park System, we 
would maybe be behind the Ronald Reagan boyhood home. So the gentleman 
from Illinois (Speaker Hastert) gets his wish first, and I get my wish 
second.
  I thank my colleagues for working with me on this most important step 
toward preserving a real American treasure, the Moccasin Bend National 
Historic Site.
  Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to commend the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. 
Wamp) for the enthusiasm and dogged determination with which he has 
pursued this issue.
  Obviously, judging from his remarks just now in the well and his 
every appearance before our committee and before this body, Members can 
really see his love for this area. I salute him for that dedication.
  Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back 
the balance of my time.

                              {time}  1615

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Hansen). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from California (Mr. Radanovich) that the 
House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 980, 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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