[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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