[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 122 (Tuesday, September 24, 2002)]
[House]
[Pages H6492-H6493]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   VICKSBURG NATIONAL MILITARY PARK BOUNDARY MODIFICATION ACT OF 2002

  Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass Senate 
bill (S. 1175) to modify the boundary of Vicksburg National Military 
Park to include the property known as Pemberton's Headquarters, and for 
other purposes.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                                S. 1175

       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 ``Vicksburg National Military 
     Park Boundary Modification Act of 2002''.

     SEC. 2. BOUNDARY MODIFICATION.

       The boundary of Vicksburg National Military Park is 
     modified to include the property known as Pemberton's 
     Headquarters, as generally depicted on the map entitled 
     ``Boundary Map, Pemberton's Headquarters at Vicksburg 
     National Military Park'', numbered 306/80015A, and dated 
     August, 2001. The map shall be on file and available for 
     inspection in the appropriate offices of the National Park 
     Service.

     SEC. 3. ACQUISITION OF PROPERTY.

       (a) Pemberton's Headquarters.--The Secretary of the 
     Interior is authorized to acquire the properties described in 
     section 2 and 3(b) by purchase, donation, or exchange, except 
     that each property may only be acquired with the consent of 
     the owner thereof.
       (b) Parking.--The Secretary is also authorized to acquire 
     not more than one acre of land, or interest therein, adjacent 
     to or near Pemberton's Headquarters for the purpose of 
     providing parking and other facilities related to the 
     operation of Pemberton's Headquarters. Upon the acquisition 
     of the property referenced in this subsection, the Secretary 
     add it to Vicksburg National Military Park and shall modify 
     the boundaries of the park to reflect its inclusion.

     SEC. 4. ADMINISTRATION.

       The Secretary shall administer any properties acquired 
     under this Act as part of the Vicksburg National Military 
     Park in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

     SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       There is authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be 
     necessary to carry out this Act.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Utah (Mr. Hansen) and the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. Rahall) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Hansen).
  Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, S. 1175 would authorize the Secretary of the Interior to 
acquire the property known as Pemberton's headquarters and to modify 
the boundaries of Vicksburg National Military Park to include that 
property.
  The home, located in the heart of Vicksburg's historic district, 
served as the headquarters for the military operations of Lt. General 
John C. Pemberton of the Confederate Army during the Civil War. The 
inclusion of this historical property would draw many of the 1.2 
million annual visitors into the historic district of Vicksburg and 
allow for greater interpretation of the important historical events 
that took place there during the critical military confrontations 
between General Ulysses S. Grant and General Pemberton during the Civil 
War.
  This bill mirrors H.R. 3307, introduced by the gentleman from 
Mississippi (Mr. Thompson) and approved unanimously by the Committee on 
Resources. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

[[Page H6493]]

  Mr. Speaker, the majority has adequately explained this measure and 
we on this side of the aisle support it as well.
  While we are considering the Senate bill today, it should be noted 
that the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Thompson) has worked 
diligently to move a House companion measure through the legislative 
process. The gentleman's efforts on behalf of this park unit, and our 
entire National Park Service, are to be commended.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Utah (Mr. Hansen) that the House suspend the rules and 
pass Senate bill, S. 1175.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the Senate bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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