[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 119 (Tuesday, September 28, 2004)]
[House]
[Pages H7664-H7666]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRUMAN FARM HOME EXPANSION ACT

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 4579) to modify the boundary of the Harry S Truman National 
Historic Site in the State of Missouri, and for other purposes.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 4579

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

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This section may be cited as the ``Truman Farm Home 
     Expansion Act''.

     SEC. 2. HARRY S TRUMAN NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE BOUNDARY 
                   MODIFICATION.

       The first section of Public Law 98-32 (16 U.S.C. 461 note) 
     is amended--
       (1) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (e); and
       (2) by inserting after subsection (c) the following:
       ``(d) Acquisition of Additional Land.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary may acquire, by donation, 
     purchase with donated or appropriated funds, transfer from 
     another Federal agency, or any other means, the land 
     described in paragraph (2) for inclusion in the Harry S 
     Truman National Historic Site.
       ``(2) Description of land.--The land referred to in 
     paragraph (1) consists of the approximately 5 acres of land 
     (including the structure located south of the Truman Farm 
     Home site), as generally depicted on the map entitled `Harry 
     S Truman National Historic Site Proposed Boundary', numbered 
     492/80,027, and dated April 17, 2003.
       ``(3) Boundary modification.--On acquisition of the land 
     under this subsection, the Secretary shall modify the 
     boundary of the Harry S Truman National Historic Site to 
     reflect the acquisition of the land.''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Radanovich) and the gentlewoman from Guam (Ms. 
Bordallo) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California (Mr. Radanovich).
  Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4579, introduced by the gentlewoman from Missouri 
(Ms. McCarthy), would authorize a modification of the boundary of the 
Harry S Truman National Historic Site, which includes the Truman Home 
in Independence, Missouri, and the Truman Farm Home in Grandview, 
Missouri. The Harry S Truman National Historic Site was established on 
May 3, 1983. The site was expanded in 1993 when the Truman Farm Home in 
Grandview, Missouri, was added.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4579 would add approximately 5 acres that abuts the 
site on its south side. The additional acreage would preserve the 
historic integrity of the site and prevent the growing need for 
development of nearby lands from encroaching into the immediate Truman 
Farm Home.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of the legislation, and I reserve the 
balance of my time.
  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to commend the sponsor of this bill, the 
gentlewoman from Missouri (Ms. McCarthy) for bringing forth this very 
important measure.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman 
from Missouri (Ms. McCarthy).
  Ms. McCARTHY of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for 
yielding me this time.
  I rise in support of passage of H.R. 4579, the Truman Farm Home 
Expansion Act. My Missouri colleagues on both sides of the aisle join 
me in urging support of this bill.
  Harry Truman is one of our Nation's greatest presidents. President 
Truman was instrumental in the signing of the United Nations charter, 
negotiating the creation of a NATO military alliance, carrying out the 
Marshall Plan to rebuild a war-torn Europe, conducting a massive 
airlift to aid the western sectors of Berlin following the Russian 
blockade in 1948, and he laid the foundation for an unprecedented level 
of American prosperity. During Truman's tenure, the United States was 
widely respected as a beacon of freedom and a nation willing to work 
with anyone across the globe to promote peaceful democratic 
governments.
  One of the many ways we honor his life is to preserve his farm that 
instilled in him the values of hard work, commitment and teamwork that 
guided him throughout his life and inspired others who followed.
  The farm has a very rich history. The Truman family purchased the 
land in 1840, and a young Harry Truman farmed the land from 1906 until 
1917 when he left to fight as an artillery captain in the First World 
War. While working the farm, Truman courted the love of his life, Bess 
Wallace, who later became Mrs. Truman. His early experience as a farmer 
formed the core of his values. His mother once said that life on the 
farm is where Harry got his famous common sense, and Truman himself 
said that the best 10 years of his life were spent trying to run the 
600-acre farm successfully.
  This past July, the House Committee on Resources heard from Grandview 
Mayor Harry Wilson that historians believe the years Truman spent 
living

[[Page H7665]]

and working on his farm were the most formative, developing the 
character of the future President. Truman himself stated, ``Riding one 
of those plows all day, day after day, gives one time to think. I have 
settled all of the ill of mankind in one way or another while riding 
along, seeing that each animal pulled his part of the load.'' The late 
publisher of the Jackson County Advocate, Jim Turnbaugh, recounted for 
readers a story when, after leaving the farm, Truman attended a 
function where he was asked to sign the guest register. Then former 
President Truman, he signed in as ``Harry S Truman, retired farmer.''
  This legislation would preserve the historical integrity of Harry 
Truman's home by adding 5 acres to the current site for educational 
purposes. The farm originally sat on 600 acres, but because of 
commercial development, the farm now encompasses only 5.2 acres. The 
Park Service has secured the support of two local landowners who own 5 
acres bordering the farm and are interested in selling. The Park 
Service needs authorization from Congress to acquire the land and 
protect the ``viewshed'' and the character of the farm as Truman knew 
it.
  The National Park Service and the Office of Management and Budget 
support this proposal. In fact, it is the only presidential-related 
bill endorsed by the National Park Service this session.
  The Truman Farm Home and Expansion Act will help America preserve and 
enhance the legacy of one of our favorite sons and most revered 
leaders. I ask the House to support this legislation.
  I would like to thank the Committee on Resources chairman, the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Pombo), the gentleman from West Virginia 
(Ranking Member Rahall), the chairman of the Subcommittee on National 
Parks, Recreation, and Public Lands, the gentleman from California 
(Chairman Radanovich), the gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands (Ranking 
Member Christensen) and the gentlewoman from Guam (Ms. Bordallo) for 
their support.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4579, the Truman Farm Home 
Expansion Act. My Missouri colleagues on both sides of the aisle join 
me in urging passage of this bill.
  Harry S Truman is one of our Nation's greatest Presidents. As 
President, Truman pledged to secure the free world from the spread of 
communism. President Truman was instrumental in the signing of the 
United Nations charter, negotiated the creation of the NATO military 
alliance, carried out the Marshall Plan to rebuild a war torn Europe, 
conducted a massive airlift to aid the western sectors of Berlin 
following the Russian blockade in 1948, and laid the foundation for an 
unprecedented level of American prosperity. During Truman's tenure the 
United States was widely respected as a beacon for freedom and a Nation 
willing to work with anyone across the globe to promote peaceful 
democratic governments. One of the many ways we honor his life is to 
preserve the farm that instilled in him the values of hard work, 
commitment, and teamwork that guided him throughout his life, and 
inspired others who followed.
  The farm has a very rich history. The Truman family purchased the 
land in 1840, and a young Harry Truman farmed the land from 1906 until 
1917, when he left to fight as an artillery captain in the First World 
War. While working the farm, Truman courted the love of his life, Bess 
Wallace, who later became Mrs. Truman. His early experiences as a 
farmer formed the core of his values. His mother once said that life on 
the farm is where Harry got his famous common sense and Truman himself 
said that the best 10 years of his life were spent trying to run the 
600-ace farm successfully.
  This past July, the House Resource Committee heard from Grandview 
Mayor, Harry Wilson, that historians believe the years Truman spent 
living and working on his farm were the most formative in developing 
the character of the future President. Truman himself stated: ``Riding 
one of these plows all day, day after day, gives one time to think. 
I've settled all the ills of mankind in one way and another while 
riding along seeing that each animal pulled his part of the load.'' The 
late publisher of the Jackson County Advocate, James D. Turnbaugh Jr., 
recounted for readers the story of former President Truman attending a 
function where he was asked to sign a guest register. He signed in as 
``Harry S Truman, retired farmer.''
  Truman's mother, Martha Truman, and sister, Mary Jones Truman, lived 
at the farm until 1940. The farm home remained in the Truman family 
until 1980. The speculation that the Truman's would be forced to sell 
the remaining house and five acres to commercial interests compelled a 
group of concerned citizens to form the Harry S Truman Farm Foundation 
in an effort to save the farm. Their efforts proved successful and 
Jackson County assumed control of the farm. In 1994, the county 
transferred the farm to the US Park Service.
  H.R. 4579 will preserve the historical integrity of Harry Truman's 
home by adding five acres to the current site for educational purposes. 
Today the farm only encompasses 5.2 acres due to commercial 
development. The Park Service has secured the support of local 
landowners who are interested in selling the five acres bordering the 
farm. The Park Service needs authorization from Congress to acquire the 
land, and protect the ``viewshed'' and the character of the farm as 
Truman knew it.
  H.R. 4579 authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to expand the park 
boundary to appropriately preserve the site. It does not specifically 
request an additional appropriation of funds to acquire the land, 
however it does give the Secretary the flexibility to use donated and 
private funds to meet this objective. The National Park Service and the 
Office of Management and Budget support this proposal. In fact, it is 
the only Presidential related bill endorsed by the National Park 
Service this session.
  President Truman remains a hero and an inspiration for all Americans 
and visitors from around the world. The Truman farm offers a deeply 
personal connection to his legacy. Currently, Park Service employees 
are housed in a screened porch on the side of the house because there 
is no permanent area for them to be located. On average, over 5,000 
vehicles drive through the farm annually and the National Park Service 
estimates that visitation levels will increase with the development of 
a new visitor center. A visitor center could be constructed with 
restrooms, a parking lot, drinking fountains, and facilities that the 
farm currently lacks. School groups, bus tours, and families from 
around the country and world would benefit greatly from the improved 
facilities.
  The Truman Farm Home Expansion Act will help America preserve and 
enhance the legacy of one of our favorite sons and most revered 
leaders. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation. I would like 
to thank Resources Committee Chairman Pombo, Ranking Member Rahall, 
National Parks Recreation and Public Lands Subcommittee Chairman 
Radanovich, Ranking Member Christensen, and Representative Bordallo for 
their support.
  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Skelton)
  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this 
legislation, and I certainly commend the gentlewoman from Kansas City, 
Missouri, the fifth district of our State, for her foresight and her 
effort to expand the boundaries of the Harry Truman Farm.
  As we all know, Harry Truman is very special to us in the State of 
Missouri, and expanding the farm is all the more important because the 
Park Service wishes to continue to build and preserve the land and to 
make it a historical part of the farm area. The land will be used to 
plant vegetation and to shield the site from encroaching modern 
development.
  The Truman Farm was Harry Truman's home in his younger days when he 
was forming his character and opinions behind the plow. The Truman 
family purchased this land in 1840. He farmed it from 1906 to 1917. In 
1980, there was speculation that financial difficulties would force 
land to be sold, compelling a group of concerned citizens to form the 
Harry S Truman Farm Foundation which saved the farm.
  We certainly hope that this body will pass this legislation. It is 
very important to the State of Missouri. I think it is very important 
to the history and to the memory of the great President from the State 
of Missouri, Harry Truman, and I again compliment the gentlewoman from 
Missouri (Ms. McCarthy) for her foresight in this legislation.

                              {time}  1515

  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I wish to go on record to thank the sponsor of this measure, the 
gentlewoman from Missouri (Ms. McCarthy) and the very distinguished 
gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Skelton), the ranking member of the 
Committee on Armed Services.
  Mr. MOORE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4579, 
legislation that would authorize the Interior Department to purchase 
approximately five acres of land, including a

[[Page H7666]]

structure north of the Truman Farm House in Independence, Missouri, for 
inclusion in the Harry S Truman National Historic Site. This addition 
would modify the current boundary by approximately five acres, to 
include the acquired lands.
  The Truman family purchased the land that now makes up the Truman 
Farm Home in 1840. Harry Truman farmed it from 1906-1917. In 1980, due 
to speculation that financial difficulties would force the sale of the 
land, a group of concerned citizens formed the Harry S Truman Farm 
Foundation, which received a grant to purchase the land. The Foundation 
turned the land over to Jackson County, Missouri, in 1991, which 
transferred the farm to the National Park Service in 1994.
  This measure has the support of local landowners and will preserve 
the viewshed and the historical character of the farm area. The 
purchase will include a retail paint store that the Park Service will 
convert into a visitors' center, providing rest room facilities and a 
paved parking area. I expect the Interior Department will seek 
appropriations in fiscal year 2006, or see, private donations to pay 
for implementation of the legislation. The 5.2 acres in question is the 
only undeveloped land remaining that borders the Site. Over the past 
six years, the Site has averaged over 5000 vehicles driving through 
each year. With the improvements planned under H.R. 4579, the Park 
Service expects an increase in the number of visitors, due to the 
addition of a visitors' center and paved parking.
  I commend my fellow Kansas City Representative, from the other side 
of State Line Road, Karen McCarthy, for the leadership she has taken in 
moving this important measure forward, in concert with Senator Talent, 
who has introduced a companion bill, S. 2499.
  Mr. Speaker, the preservation and expansion of the Truman Farm Home 
is an important way to preserve and enhance the legacy of our great 
33rd President. As he once said, ``Do your duty and history will do you 
justice.''
  The late President Truman left an extensive record of quoted wisdom. 
In conclusion, I would like to share with you, Mr. Speaker, four 
comments of Harry S Truman's--which are as relevant today as they were 
when he said them several decades ago--that I came across when 
preparing these remarks: ``I have always defined politics to means the 
science of government, perhaps the most important science, because it 
involves the art and ability of people to live together.'' ``I've 
always believed that religion is something to live by and not talk 
about.'' ``No government is perfect. One of the chief virtues of a 
democracy, however, is that its defects are always visible and under 
democratic processes can be pointed out and corrected.''
  And finally, ``The greatest orators have been the men who understood 
what they wanted to say, said it in short sentences and said it quickly 
and then got out of there before people fell asleep.''
  Mr. BLUNT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4579, the 
Truman Farm Home Expansion Act. This bill would allow the Secretary of 
the Interior to acquire approximately five acres of land surrounding 
the Truman Farm Home in Grandview, Missouri, preserving an historic 
site enjoyed by more than five thousand families each year.
  Built in 1894, the Truman Home sits on 5.25 acres of the family's 
former 600-acre farm where President Truman lived and worked from 1906 
to 1917. Acquisition of the five additional acres will prevent future 
commercial development and save the farm's original setting and 
character. The National Park service plans to utilize the land to plant 
vegetation shielding the home from surrounding buildings, in addition 
to converting one building presently on the property into a visitor's 
center. These much needed improvements will increase the site's 
accessibility and secure its authenticity, attracting more visitors to 
the former President's Grandview home.
  By adopting H.R. 4579, we will not only protect a significant part of 
our history, but will honor a great President who faithfully served 
America during a time of international unrest. Similar to today's 
global war against terrorism, President Truman stood firm in the face 
of an enemy which sought to deter democracy. Out of honor to President 
Truman and with great appreciation for the historical importance of his 
Grandview home, I fully support passage of the Truman Farm Home 
Expansion Act.
  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Issa). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from California (Mr. Radanovich) that the 
House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 4579.
  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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