[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 119 (Tuesday, September 28, 2004)]
[House]
[Page H7677]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             NEW HOPE CEMETERY ASSOCIATION LAND CONVEYANCE

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
Senate bill (S. 1537) to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to convey 
to the New Hope Cemetery Association certain land in the State of 
Arkansas for use as a cemetery.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                                S. 1537

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

     SECTION 1. CONVEYANCE OF PROPERTY IN POPE COUNTY, ARKANSAS.

       (a) Conveyance on Condition Subsequent.--Not later than 90 
     days after the date of enactment of this Act, subject to 
     valid existing rights and the condition stated in subsection 
     (c), the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief 
     of the Forest Service (referred to in this section as the 
     ``Secretary''), shall convey to the New Hope Cemetery 
     Association (referred to in this section as the 
     ``association''), 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 (a) is the parcel of National Forest System land 
     (including any improvements on the land) that--
       (1) is known as ``New Hope Cemetery Tract 6686c'';
       (2) consists of approximately 1.1 acres; and
       (3) is more particularly described as a portion of the SE 
     \1/4\ of the NW \1/4\ of section 30, T. 11, R. 17W, Pope 
     County, Arkansas.
       (c) Condition on Use of Land.--
       (1) In general.--The association shall use the parcel 
     conveyed under subsection (a) as a cemetery.
       (2) Reversion.--If the Secretary, after notice to the 
     association and an opportunity for a hearing, makes a finding 
     that the association has used or permitted the use of the 
     parcel for any purpose other than the purpose specified in 
     paragraph (1), and the association fails to discontinue that 
     use, title to the parcel shall, at the option of the 
     Secretary, revert to the United States, to be administered by 
     the Secretary.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Radanovich) and the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. 
Grijalva) 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, S. 1537, introduced by Senator Blanche Lincoln, would 
direct the Secretary of Agriculture to convey to the New Hope Cemetery 
Association certain land in the State of Arkansas for use as a 
cemetery. The gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Boozman) introduced the 
companion bill in the House, but in the interest of time has requested 
the Senate bill be moved.
  The existing cemetery is about 5 acres and nearing full capacity. The 
Forest Service initially tried to facilitate this trade without 
legislation, but the land was appraised for far more than the cemetery 
association could afford. The conveyance would not create additional 
management boundaries for the Forest Service, and the agency has no 
need for the land. As such, the Forest Service would convey the 1.1 
acres for free. I urge Members to support this important measure.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to commend the sponsor of the bill, Senator 
Lincoln, for bringing forth this vital legislation, and urge its 
favorable consideration.
  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. 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. 1537.
  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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