[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 116 (Thursday, July 31, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Pages S10644-S10645]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. REID (for himself and Mr. Ensign):
  S. 1521. A bill to direct the Secretary of the Interior to convey 
certain land to the Edward H. McDaniel American Legion Post No. 22 in 
Pahrump, Nevada, for the construction of a post building and memorial 
park for use by the American Legion, other veterans' groups, and the 
local community; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I rise today for myself and Senator Ensign 
to introduce the Pahrump American Legion Post Land Conveyance Act. This 
Act will transfer approximately five acres of BLM land in Pahrump, NV, 
to the American Legion for the purpose of constructing a post home and 
other facilities that will benefit veterans' groups and the local 
community.
  The American Legion and other non-profit organizations that represent 
our Nation's veterans in the vicinity of Pahrump, NV, have tripled in 
size over the last 10 years. The local memberships of the American 
Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Disabled American 
Veterans will soon exceed 1000 members, and will continue to expand 
with the rest of the fast-growing local community.
  The existing facility used by the veterans in Pahrump was built by 
the Veterans of Foreign Wars in the 1960s. It is much too small and not 
at all adequate for the veterans' current needs. The nearest facility 
that can accommodate them is located in Las Vegas, more than 60 miles 
away.
  The Pahrump American Legion would like to build a post building, 
veterans' garden, and memorial park. These new facilities would benefit 
not only the local veterans, but would be made available--at no cost--
for community activities. The American Legion has tried for over six 
years to acquire a suitable tract of land to provide a home for a new 
veterans center. The Legion started a pledge campaign and raised over 
$16,000 for the building fund before the parcel of land they sought to 
acquire was removed from consideration by the BLM. Unfortunately, other 
tracts of land that might represent alternative sites in Pahrump are 
not suitable.
  Mr. President, this situation is intolerable. Without a home, the 
Pahrump American Legion Post can't offer the kind of services and 
programs that the veterans in the area deserve. Our veterans aren't the 
only ones who are suffering, either. All across the United States, the 
American Legion is deservedly famous for supporting community 
activities like the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, as well as the National 
Oratorical Contest, American Legion Baseball, Girls and Boys State, and 
other activities for young people. All of these worthy groups and 
projects would benefit from the construction of a new post home.
  Our bill simply directs the Secretary of the Interior to convey this 
property from the Bureau of Land Management to American Legion ``Edward 
H McDaniel'' Post No. 22 in Pahrump. Because of the great public 
benefit such a facility will provide, we ask that the land be conveyed 
for free, but that the American Legion cover the costs of the 
transaction.

  I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the 
Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                S. 1521

       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 ``Edward H. McDaniel American 
     Legion Post No. 22 Land Conveyance Act''.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

       Congress finds that--
       (1) the membership of the American Legion and other 
     nonprofit organizations that represent the veterans' 
     community in Pahrump, Nevada, has grown immensely in the last 
     10 years;

[[Page S10645]]

       (2) the existing facility used by the veterans community in 
     Pahrump, which was constructed in the 1960's, is too small 
     and is inappropriate for the needs of the veterans community;
       (3) the nearest veterans facility that can accommodate the 
     veterans community in Pahrump is located more than 60 miles 
     away in the city of Las Vegas;
       (4) the tracts of land that are available for consideration 
     as potential sites for the location of a new veterans 
     facility are not suitable for the facility;
       (5) conveyance of a suitable parcel of land for the 
     facility, which consists of an odd, triangular tract of land 
     bounded on 2 sides by private land and cut off from other 
     public land by a major highway, conforms with the objective 
     of the Bureau of Land Management, Las Vegas District 1998 
     Resource Management Plan by simplifying the land management 
     responsibilities of the Bureau of Land Management; and
       (6) because the intent of the American Legion is to make 
     the facility available to other veterans organizations and 
     the public for community activities and events at no cost, it 
     would be in the best interests of the United States to convey 
     the land to the Edward H. McDaniel American Legion Post No. 
     22.

     SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

       In this Act:
       (1) Post no. 22.--The term ``Post No. 22'' means the Edward 
     H. McDaniel American Legion Post No. 22 in Pahrump, Nevada.
       (2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of the Interior, acting through the Director of the Bureau of 
     Land Management.

     SEC. 4. CONVEYANCE OF LAND TO EDWARD H. MCDANIEL AMERICAN 
                   LEGION POST NO. 22.

       (a) Conveyance on Condition Subsequent.--Not later than 120 
     days after the date of enactment of this Act, subject to 
     valid existing rights and the condition stated in subsection 
     (c) and in accordance with the Act of June 14, 1926 (commonly 
     known as the ``Recreation and Public Purposes Act'') (43 
     U.S.C. 869 et seq.), the Secretary shall convey to Post No. 
     22, for no consideration, all right, title, and interest of 
     the United States in and to the parcel of land described in 
     subsection (b).
       (b) Description of Land.--The parcel of land referred to in 
     subsection (b) is the parcel of Bureau of Land Management 
     land that--
       (1) is bounded by Route 160, Bride Street, and Dandelion 
     Road in Nye County, Nevada;
       (2) consists of approximately 4.5 acres of land; and
       (3) is more particularly described as a portion of the S 
     \1/4\ of section 29, T. 20 S., R. 54 E., Mount Diablo and 
     Base Meridian.
       (c) Condition on Use of Land.--
       (1) In general.--Post No. 22 and any successors of Post No. 
     22 shall use the parcel of land described in section (b) for 
     the construction and operation of a post building and 
     memorial park for use by Post No. 22, other veterans groups, 
     and the local community for events and activities.
       (2) Reversion.--Except as provided in paragraph (3), if the 
     Secretary, after notice to Post No. 22 and an opportunity for 
     a hearing, makes a finding that Post No. 22 has used or 
     permitted the use of the parcel for any purpose other than 
     the purpose specified in paragraph (1) and Post No. 22 fails 
     to discontinue that use, title to the parcel shall revert to 
     the United States, to be administered by the Secretary.
       (3) Waiver.--The Secretary may waive the requirements of 
     paragraph (2) if the Secretary determines that a waiver would 
     be in the best interests of the United States.
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