[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 125 (Monday, September 30, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1709-E1710]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         S. 1105 THE GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARKLAND EXCHANGE ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DARLENE HOOLEY

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 30, 2002

  Ms. HOOLEY of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the 
Grand Teton National Park Land Exchange Act (S. 1105) and specifically 
its amended version that includes legislation that I introduced named 
the McLoughlin House Preservation Act (H.R. 3434).
  Standing six feet four inches, John McLoughlin cast a giant of a 
shadow on the early development of the Oregon frontier. For twenty-one 
years his powerful voice was the only influence of law and order over 
an empire two and a half times the size of Texas. He had absolute 
control, and he maintained it peacefully and profitably with a balanced 
sense of justice. With an overwhelming sense of compassion and 
generosity beyond reproach, it's of little wonder that he was regarded 
by Native Americans as, ``The Great White Eagle.'' John McLoughlin, did 
indeed, walk taller and cast the greatest shadow that ever fell so 
humbly on the changing face of Oregon.
  McLoughlin was born in 1784 outside of Quebec, Canada. When 
McLoughlin was only 14 years old, he began an apprenticeship with a 
doctor and in 1803, at the youthful age of 19, was granted his license 
to practice surgery and pharmacy. Shortly thereafter Dr. McLoughlin 
obtained an appointment as medical officer for the North West Company, 
fierce competitor of the Hudson's Bay Company in the fur trade. 
McLoughlin continued his employment and partnership with the North West

[[Page E1710]]

Company until 1821, at which point it was absorbed by the Hudson's Bay 
Company in a merger.
  In 1824, McLoughlin arrived at Fort George, now called Astoria, 
Oregon near the mouth of the Columbia River, to further establish an 
administrative headquarters and supply depot for the ever expanding 
Hudson's Bay Company. In part, his duties were to create a mercantile 
arm of the British government, to monopolize the fur trade business, 
and maintain peace among the numerous tribes of Indians. Finding the 
facility at Astoria to be grossly rundown, unfertile and too far from 
inland trade facilities, in 1825 McLoughlin moved the northwest 
headquarters to a more favorable location on the northern side of the 
Columbia. He built the new site at Belle Vue Point in what is now 
Washington State and named it, Fort Vancouver.
  The new fort was nearly 750 feet long and 450 feet wide with a 
stockade about 20 feet high. There were about 40 buildings inside the 
fort. The fort housed a school, a library, pharmacy, power house, 
chapel, officers, warehouses, workshops, a blacksmith shop, and the 
largest manufacturing facility west of the Rocky Mountains. Fully 
contained, behind the fort were fields of grains, an orchard and a 
vegetable garden. The Indians, with whom Dr. McLoughlin maintained a 
very good relationship, were not allowed inside the stockade and would 
conduct their trading through a porthole in the door. In 1829, a ship 
arrived from Boston bringing with it a horrible fever which broke out 
among them. Dr. McLoughlin spent much of his own time tending to the 
ills of the stricken, but within four years over 30,000 Indians lay 
dead.
  The fort flourished under the leadership of Dr. McLoughlin. Without 
any type of military force, he was able to maintain law and order by 
his own personality and by the cooperation of his officers and 
employees. There were no Indian wars in the Oregon Country until after 
his resignation. Dr. John McLoughlin was so revered for his work in the 
Oregon Country that in 1841 McLoughlin was knighted by Queen Victoria 
at Buckingham Palace.
  By the 1840's, the British knew that they couldn't keep the American 
settlers out of Oregon, but they wanted to control as much of the land 
as possible. Discouragement came in the form of tall tales of fierce 
Indians, poor farming conditions, and terrible weather. Even though it 
was against the policy of the Hudson's Bay Company, Dr. McLoughlin was 
sympathetic to the plight of the settlers and offered them aid. Often 
arriving sick, hungry, and without provisions, his kindly heart 
extended them credit, fed and clothed them, cared for the sick, and 
supplied them with seed for farming. His personal decision to provide 
supplies and support to the American settlers coming over the Oregon 
Trail, contrary to his orders from the Hudson's Bay Company Governor, 
proved to be critical to the peaceful settlement of the territory in 
favor of U.S. claims.
  In 1845, no longer able to stomach company policy toward American 
settlers, Dr. McLoughlin resigned his position with the Hudson's Bay 
Company. After his resignation, he purchased Hudson's Bay Company's 
land claim at Willamette Falls in Oregon City, and he and his family 
moved into his newly-built house (The McLoughlin House) in 1846. 
McLoughlin remained a public figure during his retirement and became a 
U.S. citizen in 1849. He donated land for a jail and female seminary, 
and in 1851 he was elected mayor of Oregon City. He died in his home 
only six short years later.
  In 1941, the McLoughlin House was designated a National Historic 
Site, the first one in the west, and in 1957, Dr. John McLoughlin was 
named ``Father of Oregon'' by the Oregon State Legislature.
  As you can see, Fort Vancouver and the McLoughlin House National 
Historic Site have a long and storied history together. The intent of 
this legislation is to see that history continued by expanding the 
boundaries of Fort Vancouver to include the McLoughlin House National 
Historic Site.
  Currently the McLoughlin House National Historic Site is maintained 
and managed by the non-profit McLoughlin Memorial Association. When the 
McLoughlin House faced demolition in 1909, the Memorial Association was 
formed and money was raised to move the house to a public park atop the 
bluff. McLoughlin's home opened as a museum in 1910. For almost 100 
years, the association has done admirable work to preserve and maintain 
this historic treasure so thousands of people can continue to tour the 
site annually. However, over the past several years, the association 
has been unable to raise the funds required to provide the needed 
maintenance and upkeep of the property that is now in jeopardy of 
failing into disrepair.
  The McLoughlin House National Historic Act would do what I believe 
should have occurred over 60 years ago and that is include these 
properties as part of the National Park System to be managed by the 
National Park Service. Again, it is my intent that this would be done, 
not by creating a new unit of the National Park System, but rather by 
simply including the McLoughlin House into the boundaries of Fort 
Vancouver National Historic Site which is already administered as part 
of the National Park System. I believe that including the McLoughlin 
House into the boundaries of Fort Vancouver is the only way to preserve 
in perpetuity the cultural, educational, and historical benefits of 
this historic site for future generations.
  In closing I would like to convey my sincere appreciation to Chairman 
Hansen, Ranking member Rahall, and Chairman Radanovich for so 
generously agreeing to work with me on this bill and helping to move it 
forward. I would also like to extend my gratitude to Luke Johnson and 
David Watkins of the Resources Committee staff for their tireless 
efforts on behalf of this bill. Thank you to John Salisbury and the 
McLoughlin Memorial Association for all your hard work to preserve this 
Oregon treasure. And lastly I'd like to thank Tracy Fortmann for her 
advocacy on behalf of the McLoughlin House over the years. She's done 
wonderful work and we are extremely lucky to have her at Fort 
Vancouver.
  I urge my colleagues to support this legislation today.

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