[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 108 (Monday, September 13, 2004)]
[House]
[Pages H7024-H7025]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HARPERS FERRY NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK BOUNDARY REVISION ACT OF 2004
Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass
the Senate bill (S. 1576) to revise the boundary of Harpers Ferry
National Historical Park, and for other purposes.
The Clerk read as follows:
S. 1576
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 ``Harpers Ferry National
Historical Park Boundary Revision Act of 2004''.
SEC. 2. HARPERS FERRY NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK.
The first section of the Act of June 30, 1944 (58 Stat.
645, chapter 328; 16 U.S.C. 450bb), is amended to read as
follows:
``SECTION 1. HARPERS FERRY NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK.
``(a) In General.--To carry out the purposes of this Act,
the Secretary of the Interior (referred to in this Act as the
`Secretary') is authorized to acquire, by purchase from a
willing seller with donated or appropriated funds, by
donation, or by exchange, land or an interest in land within
the boundaries as generally depicted on the map entitled
`Boundary Map, Harpers Ferry National Historical Park',
numbered 385-80,021A, and dated April 1979.
``(b) Bradley and Ruth Nash Addition.--The Secretary is
authorized to acquire, by donation only, approximately 27
acres of land or interests in land that are outside the
boundary of the Harpers Ferry National Historical Park and
generally depicted on the map entitled `Proposed Bradley and
Ruth Nash Addition--Harpers Ferry National Historical Park',
numbered 385-80056, and dated April 1, 1989.
``(c) Boundary Expansion.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary is authorized to acquire,
by purchase from a willing seller with donated or
appropriated funds, by donation, or by exchange, land or an
interest in land within the area depicted as `Private Lands'
on the map entitled `Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
Proposed Boundary Expansion,' numbered 385/80,126, and dated
July 14, 2003.
``(2) Administration.--The Secretary shall--
``(A) transfer to the National Park Service for inclusion
in the Harpers Ferry National Historical Park (referred to in
this Act as the `Park') the land depicted on the map referred
to in paragraph (1) as `U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Lands'
and revise the boundary of the Park accordingly; and
``(B) revise the boundary of the Park to include the land
depicted on the map referred to in paragraph (1) as
`Appalachian NST' and exclude that land from the boundary of
the Appalachian National Scenic Trail.
``(d) Maximum Number of Acres.--The number of acres of the
Park shall not exceed 3,745.
``(e) Maps.--The maps referred to in this section shall be
on file and available for public inspection in the
appropriate offices of the National Park Service.
``(f) Acquired Land.--Land or an interest in land acquired
under this section shall become a part of the Park, subject
to the laws (including regulations) applicable to the Park.
``(g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are
authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to
carry out this section.''.
SEC. 3. CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.
Sections 2 and 3 of the Act of June 30, 1944 (58 Stat. 646,
chapter 328; 16 U.S.C. 450bb-1, 450bb-2), are amended by
striking ``Secretary of the Interior'' each place it appears
and inserting ``Secretary''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
California (Mr. Radanovich) and the
[[Page H7025]]
gentlewoman from Guam (Ms. Bordallo) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California (Mr. Radanovich).
General Leave
Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all
Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend
their remarks and include extraneous material on the Senate bill under
consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from California?
There was no objection.
Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume
to the gentlewoman from West Virginia (Mrs. Capito), the author of the
bill.
Mrs. CAPITO. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 1576, the
Harpers Ferry National Historical Park Boundary Revision Act of 2004.
Harpers Ferry is at the eastern-most portion of my congressional
district and borders on Virginia and Maryland and has a very historic
significance in our Nation's history.
This legislation represents cooperative efforts among local civic
groups and the National Park Service to preserve an additional 1,240
acres of West Virginia's historic and pristine wilderness from
development.
In addition, expanding the park will help make a significant
investment in the local tourist economy by attracting an estimated
25,000 additional visitors to the eastern panhandle of West Virginia
each year. New visitors mean more revenues for area businesses, and
that keeps the local economy moving forward.
Expanding the park represents a reasonable and necessary investment
in the future of this national treasure. This portion of West Virginia
is undergoing tremendous growth; and placing these additional 1,200
acres under the governance of the National Park Service will preserve
this area of West Virginia from further economic development, but more
historic development.
Last summer I walked the Murphy Farm, an area in the proposed
expansion. I was able to see a part of America rich in Civil War and
civil rights history as well as breathtaking beauty. The passage of
this legislation will allow the local community, the National Park
Service, and various nonprofit organizations to work together in
partnership to preserve a historic part of our country's heritage, a
section of America which is now West Virginia that Thomas Jefferson
once remarked was ``worth a trip across the Atlantic.''
Madam Speaker, I can assure all of my colleagues that this
legislation is worth their support, and I urge them to make a trip
across Maryland to Harpers Ferry where they can visit a beautiful
parcel of West Virginia, Harpers Ferry National Park.
Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Madam Speaker, S. 1576 is supported by the majority and the minority
of the Committee on Resources and the administration. I urge adoption
of this bill.
Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. BORDALLO. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
(Ms. BORDALLO asked and was given permission to revise and extend her
remarks.)
Ms. BORDALLO. Madam Speaker, at the outset I would note that the
gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. Rahall), Committee on Resources
ranking member, had hoped to be here to manage this extremely important
legislation, but has been delayed in returning from his congressional
district. However, he joins with me in saluting Senator Robert C. Byrd
for his tireless efforts on this vital legislation that will serve to
enhance both the scenic beauty and historic resources of Harpers Ferry
in the State of West Virginia. Madam Speaker, we have a statement from
the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. Rahall) which will be included in
the Record.
Just as important as the substance of the bill is the process through
which this proposal was developed. The sponsor of this legislation,
Senator Robert C. Byrd, understood that units of the National Park
Service work best when the local community feels connected to the park
and is included in the decision-making process regarding the park's
management. To accomplish this goal, Senator Byrd directed the National
Park Service to conduct extensive public outreach to provide the local
community information regarding the needs of the park and the impacts
of any potential expansion. As a result, S. 1576 has near-universal
support in the local communities near the park.
We commend Senator Byrd for his tireless efforts on behalf of Harpers
Ferry, and we urge our colleagues to support S. 1576. And, Madam
Speaker, I would be remiss if I did not mention, and I would like to
commend her as well, the gentlewoman from West Virginia (Mrs. Capito)
for her efforts on this legislation.
Mr. RAHALL. Madam Speaker, few places possess both the scenic beauty
and historical significance of Harpers Ferry. Enactment of this
legislation is critical because it will enhance both the scenic and
historic resources of this unique place.
Like my home State of West Virginia itself, the pivotal location of
Harpers Ferry has allowed it to serve as the backdrop for many of the
most significant events in American History. As a result, some of the
icons of American freedom and discovery--George Washington, Thomas
Jefferson, Merriweather Lewis, John Brown, ``Stonewall'' Jackson,
Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglas--have walked the ground that now
makes up this Park.
From the earliest settlement of this great Nation, through the
founding of the railroad, John Brown's raid, the Civil War,
reconstruction, the industrial revolution and integration, Harpers
Ferry has been the stage on which many of the most significant chapters
in American history have unfolded.
As for the scenic beauty of the place, none could describe it better
than a visitor did in 1783 when he wrote that, ``The passage of the
Potomac through the Blue Ridge is perhaps one of the most stupendous
scenes in nature.'' That awestruck visitor was, of course, Thomas
Jefferson.
And during his distinguished career in the United States Senate,
Harpers Ferry National Historical Park has had no better friend, no
better protector, than Senator Robert C. Byrd. Back in 2000, Senator
Byrd recognized the need for this Park expansion but was also well
aware that units of the National Park System work best when the local
community feels a sense of ownership and pride in the Park.
Senator Byrd directed the National Park Service to conduct extensive
public outreach to provide the local community information regarding
the needs of the Park and the impacts of any potential expansion. Once
that process was complete, Senator Byrd had accomplished the near-
impossible: Surveys show that 94 percent of the respondents support
this legislation.
I share Senator Byrd's great love of history--West Virginia's history
in particular. Harpers Ferry is an incredibly powerful tool for telling
the great story of our State, our People and our Nation. These proposed
additions will allow the Park to tell those stories even more
powerfully and more completely.
I salute Senator Byrd for his tireless efforts on behalf of Harpers
Ferry and West Virginia and urge my colleagues to support S. 1576.
Ms. BORDALLO. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and
I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time,
and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from California (Mr. Radanovich) that the House suspend the
rules and pass the Senate bill, S. 1576.
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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