[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 122 (Tuesday, September 24, 2002)]
[House]
[Pages H6494-H6495]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 GEORGE WASHINGTON BIRTHPLACE NATIONAL MONUMENT BOUNDARY ADJUSTMENT ACT

  Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 3449) to revise the boundaries of the George Washington 
Birthplace National Monument, and for other purposes.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 3449

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

     SECTION 1. ADDITION TO NATIONAL MONUMENT.

       The boundaries of the George Washington Birthplace National 
     Monument (hereinafter referred to as the ``National 
     Monument'') are hereby modified to include the area 
     comprising approximately 115 acres, as generally depicted on 
     the map entitled ``George Washington Birthplace National 
     Monument Boundary Map'', numbered 332/80,023 and dated 
     October 2001, which shall be on file and available for public 
     inspection in the appropriate offices of the National Park 
     Service, Department of the Interior.

     SEC. 2. ACQUISITION OF LANDS.

       Within the boundaries of the National Monument, the 
     Secretary of the Interior (hereinafter referred to as the 
     ``Secretary'') is authorized to acquire lands, or interests 
     therein, from willing owners by donation, purchase with 
     donated money or appropriated funds, or exchange.

     SEC. 3. ADMINISTRATION OF NATIONAL MONUMENT.

       In administering the National Monument, the Secretary shall 
     take actions necessary to preserve and interpret the history 
     and resources associated with George Washington, the 
     generations of the Washington family who lived in the 
     vicinity and their contemporaries, and 18th century 
     plantation life and society.

  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.
  H.R. 3449, introduced by the gentlewoman from Virginia (Mrs. Jo Ann 
Davis), would authorize the Secretary of the Interior to revise the 
boundaries of the George Washington Birthplace National Historic 
Monument in Westmoreland County, Virginia, by purchasing up to 115 
acres from a single willing owner, the Muse family. Currently, Mr. 
Speaker, the Muse property divides the historic site in half and has 
become attractive to local developers. By authorizing the boundary 
adjustment, the National Park Service will have the authority to work 
with the Muse family to purchase the land and protect the historic site 
from future residential development.
  Mr. Speaker, this bill is noncontroversial. It is supported by the 
administration, the majority and the minority of the Committee on 
Resources, and the Muse family.
  I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 3449.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  The chairman has fully explained this bill. Make no mistake about it, 
we on this side of the aisle support George Washington as well, just 
like the Republicans.
  Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to 
urge my colleagues to support H.R. 3449, which would authorize the 
National Park Service to revise and expand the boundaries of the George 
Washington Birthplace National Monument in Westmoreland County, 
Virginia.
  I appreciate Chairman Radanovich and Chairman Hansen for their 
dedication in bringing this measure before the House in an effort to 
realize a long standing effort by the National Park Service, 
Westmoreland County and the surrounding community to preserve this 
undisturbed land for future generations to enjoy and learn of the 
Washington's way of life during our nation's formative years.
  (As stated) George Washington was born on this property on February 
22, 1732, and lived on the farm for three and a half years, and again 
for several years in his teens. The modern location includes a Memorial 
House designed to recreate the original birthsite as revealed by 
excavations. The Memorial House was finished in time for George 
Washington's 200th birthday in 1932, and is one of the center pieces of 
the National Monument.
  George Washington's great-grandfather, immigrated to America and 
acquired this property in 1664. His father, grandfather, and great-
grandfather are buried in the family cemetery located on the National 
Monument property.
  Because of the Monument's current boundary configuration, over 100 
acres of private land outside the Monument's boundary are sandwiched 
between two units of the monument and the Potomac River. Willing 
sellers, the Muse family, are amenable to transferring the property to 
the National Park Service, and Congress needs to consequently act so 
that this opportunity will not be lost.
  H.R. 3449 is a fitting tribute to a man who has long been revered as 
our greatest founding father, a man of high moral integrity and 
character, a man with distinct leadership capabilities, and above all a 
man who guided Americans to freedom and led them to union. I urge your 
support of this measure.
  Mr. RAHALL. 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 the bill, H.R. 3449.

[[Page H6495]]

  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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