[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 114 (Thursday, September 14, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9632-S9633]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Ms. STABENOW (for herself and Mr. Levin):
  S. 3896. A bill to provide for the return of the Fresnel Lens to the 
lantern room atop Presque Isle Light Station Lighthouse, Michigan, and 
for other purposes; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation.
  Ms. STABENOW. Mr. President, I rise today to offer the Lester Nichols 
Presque Isle Light Station Act with my colleague, Senator Levin. 
Congressman Stupak is introducing the companion legislation in the 
House of Representatives today. Our bill will restore the historic 
Fresnel lens to the Presque Isle lighthouse in Presque Isle Township, 
MI.
  Michigan has the most lighthouses of any State in the Nation with a 
total of over 120. At one time we had over 100 manned lighthouses, more 
than any other State. This is not surprising considering that Michigan 
has 3,288 miles of shoreline along the Great Lakes. We are proud of our 
lighthouses and we are proud of the history and the maritime heritage 
that they represent. Our lighthouses are part of our identity as a 
State. In addition to performing as navigation aids, they remain a 
symbol of the importance that the Great Lakes played and continue to 
play in Michigan's history.
  Most importantly, they are an important part of the economies of our 
coastal towns. Our lakeshore towns host visitors from across the 
country who travel to view the magnificence of our coastal areas and 
the lighthouses that illuminate them. These small communities are more 
dependent than ever on tourism dollars, and we must help them by 
coordinating our efforts to protect Michigan's lighthouses and promote 
Great Lakes' maritime culture.
  In 2002 the U.S. Coast Guard, the Michigan State Historic 
Preservation

[[Page S9633]]

Officer, and the township signed a memorandum of agreement stating that 
upon removal from the tower, the Fresnel lens would be restored by the 
township in a museum type setting with assistance from the Coast Guard. 
In 2005, the township completed their restoration work on the lens. 
Unfortunately, we soon learned that the Coast Guard has another policy 
that prevents a Fresnel lens from being replaced once it is removed 
from the tower.
  The result is that this lighthouse has been historically compromised. 
Replacing the lens in its original home for the enjoyment of all who 
visit our historic lighthouse will not only ensure the integrity of the 
lighthouse, but it will enhance the function the lighthouse provides as 
an active navigational aid.
  Very simply, our bill requires the Coast Guard to replace the 
restored Fresnel lens in the Presque Isle Lighthouse.
  Our bill is named after Les Nichols, who through years of hard work 
and perseverance has led the successful effort in the restoration of 
the historic 3rd Order Fresnel Lens. The Fresnel lens is an integral 
part of the historic value of the New Presque Isle Lighthouse and will 
continue to attract tourists to this region of the State. Under 
Lester's leadership, this historic artifact will now be able to be 
viewed by future generations. I also want to acknowledge the work of 
Peter Pettalia, the Presque Isle Township Supervisor.
  I hope that all of my colleagues will support this legislation and 
that we can move it quickly in the remaining time we have in the 
Senate.
  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. 3896

       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 ``Lester Nichols Presque Isle 
     Light Station Act of 2006''.

     SEC. 2. RETURN OF FRESNEL LENS TO PRESQUE ISLE LIGHT STATION 
                   LIGHTHOUSE, MICHIGAN.

       (a) In General.--Subject to subsection (b), the Commandant 
     of the Coast Guard shall modify the 2004 Agreement for 
     Outgoing Loans (AOL) with Presque Isle Township, Michigan, in 
     order to provide for the return of the Historic Fresnel Lens 
     to the lantern room atop the Presque Isle Light Station 
     Lighthouse, Michigan.
       (b) Conditions.--
       (1) Compliance with applicable law.--Any modification under 
     subsection (a) of the Agreement for Outgoing Loans described 
     in that subsection shall comply with applicable provisions of 
     section 5506 of the Omnibus Consolidated Appropriations Act, 
     1997 (Public Law 104-208; 110 Stat. 3009-518), relating to 
     the conveyance of the Presque Isle Light Station.
       (2) Retention of ownership of lens.--Notwithstanding the 
     return of the Historic Fresnel Lens pursuant to subsection 
     (a), the United States shall retain ownership of the lens.
       (3) Continuing operation of aid to navigation.--
     Notwithstanding the return of the Historic Fresnel Lens 
     pursuant to subsection (a), the active aid to navigation, 
     together with associated electronic and lighthouse equipment, 
     at Presque Isle Light Station Lighthouse shall continue to be 
     operated and maintained by the United States within the 
     Historic Third Order Fresnel Lens at the Presque Isle Light 
     Station Lighthouse.
                                 ______