[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 121 (Monday, September 25, 2006)]
[House]
[Pages H6948-H6949]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




AUTHORIZING LAND CONVEYANCE TO THE MISSOURI RIVER BASIN LEWIS AND CLARK 
            INTERPRETIVE TRAIL AND VISITOR CENTER FOUNDATION

  Mr. PEARCE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 3871) to authorize the Secretary of Interior to convey to 
The Missouri River Basin Lewis and Clark Interpretive Trail and Visitor 
Center Foundation, Inc. certain Federal land associated with the Lewis 
and Clark National Historic Trail in Nebraska, to be used as an 
historical interpretive site along the trail, as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 3871

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

     SECTION 1. LAND CONVEYANCE, LEWIS AND CLARK NATIONAL HISTORIC 
                   TRAIL, NEBRASKA.

       (a) Conveyance Authorized.--The Secretary of the Interior 
     may convey, without consideration, to The Missouri River 
     Basin Lewis and Clark Interpretive Trail and Visitor Center 
     Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization 
     with operational headquarters at 100 Valmont Drive, Nebraska 
     City, Nebraska, 68410, all right, title and interest of the 
     United States in and to the federally owned land under 
     jurisdiction of the Secretary consisting of 2 parcels as 
     generally depicted on the map titled ``Lewis and Clark 
     National Historic Trail'', numbered 648/80,002, and dated 
     March 2006.
       (b) Survey; Conveyance Cost.--The exact acreage and legal 
     description of the land to be conveyed under section (a) 
     shall be determined by a survey satisfactory to the 
     Secretary. The cost of the survey and all other costs 
     incurred by the Secretary to convey the land shall be borne 
     by the Missouri River Basin Lewis and Clark Interpretive 
     Trail and Visitor Center Foundation, Inc.
       (c) Condition of Conveyance, Use of Conveyed Land.--The 
     conveyance authorized under subsection (a) shall be subject 
     to the condition that the Missouri River Basin Lewis and 
     Clark Interpretive Trail and Visitor Center Foundation, Inc. 
     use the conveyed land as a historic site and interpretive 
     center for the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail.
       (d) Discontinuance of Use.--If Missouri River Basin Lewis 
     and Clark Interpretive Trail and Visitor Center Foundation, 
     Inc. determines to discontinue use of the land conveyed under 
     subsection (a) as an historic site and interpretive center 
     for the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, the Missouri 
     River Basin Lewis and Clark Interpretive Trail and Visitor 
     Center Foundation, Inc. shall convey lands back to the 
     Secretary without consideration.
       (e) Additional Terms and Conditions.--The Secretary may 
     require such additional terms and conditions in connection 
     with the conveyance under subsection (a) or the conveyance, 
     if any, under subsection (d) as the Secretary considers 
     appropriate to protect the interests of the United States.
       (f) Authorization of Appropriations.--To assist with the 
     operation of the facility there is authorized to be 
     appropriated $150,000 per year for a period not to exceed 10 
     years.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New 
Mexico (Mr. Pearce) and the gentlewoman from Guam (Ms. Bordallo) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New Mexico.
  Mr. PEARCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  H.R. 3871, introduced by Congressman Jeff Fortenberry, would 
authorize the Secretary of the Interior to convey to the Missouri River 
Basin Lewis and Clark Interpretive Trail and Visitor Center Foundation 
specified Federal land associated with the Lewis and Clark National 
Historic Trail in Nebraska. This land would be used as an historic site 
and interpretive center for the trail.
  I urge your support for H.R. 3871.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. 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. Mr. Speaker, this is a noncontroversial measure, and it 
contains appropriate safeguards regarding the property being conveyed 
for use as a visitor center for the Lewis and Clark National Historic 
Trail.
  We urge the adoption of H.R. 3871.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. PEARCE. Mr. Speaker I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Fortenberry), the author of the 
legislation.
  Mr. FORTENBERRY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New Mexico.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 3871, a bill to 
authorize the Secretary of the Interior to convey a Lewis and Clark 
visitor center in my district from the National Park Service to a well-
respected nonprofit organization. As the sponsor of this bill, I 
encourage my colleagues to support this important legislation.
  I would like to begin by expressing my sincere appreciation to the 
distinguished gentleman from California (Mr. Pombo), the chairman of 
the House Committee on Resources, and the distinguished gentleman from 
New Mexico (Mr. Pearce), the chairman of the Subcommittee on National 
Parks, for their outstanding work on bringing this legislation to the 
floor. We appreciate it.
  I would also like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to 
Nancy Hoch from Nebraska City, who has played such a key role in the 
construction of the visitor center and its ongoing operation. Her 
vision and leadership have been instrumental in making the center such 
an outstanding success.
  The bill is very straightforward. It would simply convey certain 
Federal land near Nebraska City associated with the Missouri River 
Basin Lewis and Clark Interpretive Trail and Visitor Center to the 
related nonprofit group, the Missouri River Basin Lewis and Clark 
Interpretive Trail and Visitor Center Foundation, Incorporated.
  The bill also authorizes $150,000 annually for 10 years to operate 
the facility. It is important to note that the National Park Service 
currently provides about $200,000 annually to subsidize operations at 
the center. As a result, enactment of this legislation would actually 
save the Federal Government about $50,000 per year.
  It is also important to note that I worked with the National Park 
Service in drafting the language for the bill, and this proposed 
conveyance fits with the long-range plans for the center. I also 
believe that it would be the most cost-effective option for the Park 
Service.
  H.R. 3871 is cosponsored by both of my colleagues from Nebraska, 
Representatives Lee Terry and Tom Osborne. A companion bill in the 
Senate, S. 1957, has the support of both Nebraska Senators, Chuck Hagel 
and Ben Nelson.
  The Interpretive Trail and Visitor Center is an outstanding resource 
and an impressive facility. The nonprofit organization associated with 
it includes a committed group of individuals who have spent many years 
making the center a reality and ensuring that it provides a meaningful 
and educational experience for those who visit

[[Page H6949]]

it. This legislative action is needed to fulfill the original plan for 
operating the visitor center.
  The Missouri River Basin Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center is truly 
unique. It is the only visitor center or museum in the United States to 
focus on the flora and fauna and scientific discoveries recorded by 
Lewis and Clark.
  The Lewis and Clark Expedition was a watershed mark in American 
history. Two centuries later, the courageous story of these two 
outstanding explorers and the Corps of Discovery continues to inspire 
Americans of all ages. This legislation will help ensure that future 
generations will have the opportunity to learn about this remarkable 
journey.
  Again, Mr. Speaker, I would encourage my colleagues to vote for H.R. 
3871.
  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and so I yield 
back my time.
  Mr. PEARCE. Mr. Speaker, I have no additional speakers, and I yield 
back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Culberson). The question is on the 
motion offered by the gentleman from New Mexico (Mr. Pearce) that the 
House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 3871, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________