[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 176 (Tuesday, December 18, 2001)]
[House]
[Page H10181]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
COLD WAR INTERPRETIVE STUDY ACT
Mr. HEFLEY. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 107) to require that the Secretary of the Interior conduct a
study to identify sites and resources, to recommend alternatives for
commemorating and interpreting the Cold War, and for other purposes, as
amended.
The Clerk read as follows:
H.R. 107
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. COLD WAR STUDY.
(a) Subject of Study.--The Secretary of the Interior, in
consultation with the Secretary of Defense, State historic
preservation offices, State and local officials, Cold War
scholars, and other interested organizations and individuals,
shall conduct a National Historic Landmark theme study to
identify sites and resources in the United States that are
significant to the Cold War. In conducting the study, the
Secretary of the Interior shall--
(1) consider the inventory of sites and resources
associated with the Cold War completed by the Secretary of
Defense pursuant to section 8120(b)(9) of the Department of
Defense Appropriations Act, 1991 (Public Law 101-511; 104
Stat. 1906);
(2) consider historical studies and research of Cold War
sites and resources such as intercontinental ballistic
missiles, flight training centers, manufacturing facilities,
communications and command centers (such as Cheyenne
Mountain, Colorado), defensive radar networks (such as the
Distant Early Warning Line), and strategic and tactical
aircraft; and
(3) inventory and consider nonmilitary sites and resources
associated with the people, events, and social aspects of the
Cold War.
(b) Contents.--The study shall include--
(1) recommendations for commemorating and interpreting
sites and resources identified by the study, including--
(A) sites for which studies for potential inclusion in the
National Park System should be authorized;
(B) sites for which new national historic landmarks should
be nominated;
(C) recommendations on the suitability and feasibility of
establishing a central repository for Cold War artifacts and
information; and
(D) other appropriate designations;
(2) recommendations for cooperative arrangements with State
and local governments, local historical organizations, and
other entities; and
(3) cost estimates for carrying out each of those
recommendations.
(c) Guidelines.--The study shall be--
(1) conducted with public involvement; and
(2) submitted to the Committee on Resources of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural
Resources of the Senate no later than 3 years after the date
that funds are made available for the study.
SEC. 2. INTERPRETIVE HANDBOOK ON THE COLD WAR.
Not later than 4 years after funds are made available for
that purpose, the Secretary of the Interior shall prepare and
publish an interpretive handbook on the Cold War and shall
disseminate information gathered through the study through
appropriate means in addition to the handbook.
SEC. 3. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There are authorized to be appropriated $300,000 to carry
out this Act.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Colorado (Mr. Hefley) and the gentleman from Guam (Mr. Underwood) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Hefley).
Mr. HEFLEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I
will try not to take the full 20 minutes.
Mr. Speaker, H.R. 107, which I introduced, would direct the Secretary
of the Interior to conduct a National Historic Landmark theme study to
identify sites and resources in the United States that are significant
to the Cold War. Generally speaking, the Cold War is considered to be
from 1946 to 1989.
H.R. 107 would direct the Secretary to study military and nonmilitary
sites and resources associated with the people, events, and social
aspects of the Cold War. The study shall include recommendations for
commemorating and interpreting the sites identified by the study,
including cooperative arrangements with the State and local governments
and local historical organizations, as well as cost estimates for
carrying out each of the recommendations. The Secretary shall submit
the report to the House Committee on Resources and the Senate Committee
on Energy and Natural Resources.
The legislation also requires the Secretary to prepare and publish an
interpretive handbook on the Cold War and disseminate information
gathered through the study.
Mr. Speaker, the bill is supported by the majority and the minority
of the subcommittee, and I do not believe it is controversial. In
addition, the bill is supported by the administration with the ongoing
caveat that the maintenance backlog be addressed first.
{time} 1415
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 107, as amended.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. UNDERWOOD. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
(Mr. UNDERWOOD asked and was given permission to revise and extend
his remarks.)
Mr. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 107, which was introduced by our
colleague, the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Hefley), directs the
Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study regarding the sites and
resources associated with the Cold War.
The period of history known as the Cold War covered some four
decades, from approximately 1945 to 1991. The tension between the
United States and the former Soviet Union that marked the Cold War era
had a significant impact on U.S. policy, both at home and abroad, and
as such, it is a crucial element of our recent history, certainly for
most of us who have lived through this time period.
Already one site identified with the Cold War, a Minuteman missile
complex in South Dakota, has been designated a national historic site.
There are numerous sites and resources associated with the Cold War in
the United States. The study authorized by H.R. 107 will provide public
agencies and private individuals and organizations with recommendations
on commemorating and interpreting appropriate sites and resources
associated with the Cold War.
Mr. Speaker, we support the study authorized by H.R. 107, and
recommend adoption of the bill, as amended by the House.
Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back
the balance of my time.
Mr. HEFLEY. Mr. Speaker, I encourage support of the bill. I have no
further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Culberson). The question is on the
motion offered by the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Hefley) that the
House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 107, 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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