[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 32 (Tuesday, March 19, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2082-S2083]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. CHAFEE (for himself, Mr. Reed, Mr. Kerry, and Mr. 
        Kennedy):
  S. 2033. A bill to authorize appropriations for the John H. Chafee 
Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor in Massachusetts and 
Rhode Island, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Energy and 
Natural Resources.
  Mr. CHAFEE. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce a bill to 
reauthorize funding for the John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley 
National Heritage Corridor. I am pleased to be joined by three of my 
colleagues, Senators Reed, Kerry and Kennedy, as original cosponsors of 
this legislation. Representative Patrick Kennedy is joining this effort 
by introducing companion legislation in the House today.
  Since the Corridor's inception on November 10, 1986, the Blackstone 
River Valley has undergone a profound rebirth. The Blackstone River, 
once polluted and neglected, has been transformed into an object of 
tremendous community pride and national importance. Historians 
recognize the Valley of the Blackstone River, gracefully winding 
through 24 communities in the States of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, 
as the birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution. Slater Mill, 
founded by the textile maker Samuel Slater in the 1790's, was the first 
to adapt English machine technology to cotton-yard manufacturing 
powered by water wheels. The success of the Slater Mill heralded in 
America's first factory-based industry of mass production, with 
accompanying communities dedicated to the production of manufactured 
goods. Gradually, this new ``Rhode Island System of Manufacturing'' led 
to profound changes economically, socially and culturally across the 
new nation.
  This nationally significant story was all but forgotten when Senator 
John H. Chafee authored Federal legislation to establish the Blackstone 
River Valley National Heritage Corridor with the purpose of preserving 
and interpreting for present and future generations the uniqueness and 
significant historical value of the Blackstone Valley. A Corridor 
Commission, consisting of federally-appointed local and State 
representatives from Massachusetts and Rhode Island, was established to 
work in partnership with the National Park Service to carry out the 
mission of the Blackstone Corridor. For over 15 years, the Corridor 
Commission and its Heritage Partners have worked to instill a vision of 
community revitalization, historic preservation, and environmental 
protection in the Blackstone Corridor. The Corridor is a truly unique 
national park area, for the Federal Government does not own or manage 
any of the land or resources within the system. Yet, the Blackstone 
Corridor includes cities, towns, villages and almost 1 million people, 
and has become a model for other heritage corridors across the country.
  Working in partnership with two State governments, dozens of local 
municipalities, businesses, nonprofit historical and environmental 
organizations, educational institutions, and many private citizens, the 
Corridor Commission has instilled a sense of community and identity to 
the residents of the Blackstone Corridor. These partnerships have 
resulted in the reversal of a long-standing lack of investment in the 
Valley's historic, cultural and natural resources. A Valley-wide 
identity program has placed over 200 educational signs across the 
Corridor to guide visitors into the Blackstone and its heritage sites. 
Key historic districts and sites have been preserved through the 
assistance of the Commission and its partners working to identify 
critical historic preservation funding and assistance. The water 
quality of the Blackstone River has seen dramatic improvements through 
cooperative, community-driven projects that have worked to ensure more 
consistent water flows; the protection of open space along the valley; 
the initiation of local river cleanups; and the remediation of toxic 
sites along the river's banks.
  Since 1986, Congress has established three accounts for the 
management of the Corridor: the Operation Account providing funding for 
National Park Service staff support; the Technical Assistance Account 
to provide assistance to communities and Corridor partners; and the 
Development Fund to provide construction funding for the implementation 
of interpretive programming, river restoration, historic preservation, 
tourism and economic development and educational activities within the 
Corridor. A 10-year plan, completed by the Commission in 1998, outlines 
a strategy for the implementation of development funds by focusing on 
the ``resource protection needs and projects critical to maintaining or 
interpreting the distinctive nature of the Corridor.''
  The legislation I am introducing today, along with Senators Reed, 
Kerry, and Kennedy, will reauthorize the Development Fund account to 
provide $10 million in Federal funding from fiscal years 2003 through 
2006. This authorization is consistent with the Blackstone Corridor's 
10-year Plan guiding the Corridor's future development needs. 
Development funding will be used to move forward with projects that 
include a bi-State 45 mile long Blackstone bikeway; construction of 
river access points for recreational and tourism opportunities; 
renovation and reuse of historic structures and surrounding landscapes; 
and educational programs to raise the awareness of the Corridor's 
significance in the region.
  With over 15 years of success and a number of challenges lying ahead, 
we urge Congress' continued support for the John H. Chafee Blackstone 
River Valley National Heritage Corridor. The Blackstone Corridor tells 
the story of the beginnings of America's movement into the industrial 
era. We must allow the telling of this story to continue.
  I ask by unanimous consent that the text of this bill be printed in 
the Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                S. 2033

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       Section 10 of Public Law 99-647 (16 U.S.C. 461 note) is 
     amended by striking subsection (b) and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(b) Development Funds.--There is authorized to be 
     appropriated to carry out section 8(c) for the period of 
     fiscal years 2003 through 2006 not more than $10,000,000, to 
     remain available until expended.''.

  Mr. KERRY. Mr. President, I rise in support of legislation that has 
been filed today to reauthorize the development fund for the John H. 
Chafee Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor. The bill is 
sponsored by Senator Chafee, and I am proud to be an original 
cosponsor.
  The John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor 
was established by Congress in 1986 to recognize and preserve the 
natural, cultural and historical resources of the region. I would like 
to read a description of the Blackstone River written by the National 
Park Service. I think it captures its special nature.

       The Blackstone River Valley illustrates a major revolution 
     in America's past: the Age of Industry. The way people lived 
     during this turning point in history can still be seen in the 
     valley's villages, farms, cities and riverways--in a working 
     landscape between Worchester, Massachusetts and Providence, 
     Rhode Island. In 1790, American craftsmen built the first 
     machines that successfully used waterpower to spin cotton. 
     America's first factory, Slater Mill was built on the banks 
     of the Blackstone River. Here, industrial America was born. 
     This revolutionary way of using waterpower spread quickly 
     throughout the valley and New England. It changed nearly 
     everything. Two hundred years later, the story of the 
     American Industrial Revolution can still be seen and told in 
     the Blackstone River Valley. Thousands of structures and 
     whole landscapes show the radical changes in the way people 
     lived and worked. The way people lived before the advent of 
     industry also can be seen on the land, and the choices for 
     the future are visible as well. For good and bad, each 
     generation makes its choices and changes the character of 
     life in the valley. Today, the rural to city landscapes tell 
     the story of this revolution in American history. Native 
     Americans, European colonizers, farmers, craftsmen, 
     industrialists, and continuing waves of immigrants all left 
     the imprint of their work and

[[Page S2083]]

     culture on the land. The farms, hilltop market centers, mill 
     villages, cities, dams, canals, roads, and railroads are 
     physical products of tremendous social and economic power.

  With the assistance of the National Park Service, the Commission has 
forged collaborative partnerships with a new spirit of ownership among 
government leaders, private investors and residents for the river 
resources and communities. The Blackstone has been called ``America's 
hardest working river'' because of its industrial legacy. That same 
description could apply to the people who have decided themselves to 
making the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor a success 
today. The natural value and historical importance of the Blackstone 
and the dedication of the people involved is why I am eager to support 
Senator Chafee's legislation.
                                 ______