[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 121 (Monday, September 25, 2006)]
[House]
[Pages H6950-H6951]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   MISSISSIPPI RIVER TRAIL STUDY ACT

  Mr. PEARCE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 1796) to amend the National Trails System Act to designate 
the route of the Mississippi River from its headwaters in the State of 
Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico for study for potential addition to the 
National Trails System as a national scenic trail, national historic 
trail, or both, and for other purposes.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 1796

       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 ``Mississippi River Trail 
     Study Act''.

     SEC. 2. DESIGNATION OF ROUTE OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER FOR 
                   STUDY FOR POTENTIAL ADDITION TO THE NATIONAL 
                   TRAILS SYSTEM.

       (a) Designation.--Section 5(c) of the National Trails 
     System Act (16 U.S.C. 1244(c)) is amended--
       (1) by redesignating the first paragraph after paragraph 
     (40) as paragraph (41) and, in such paragraph, by striking 
     ``The'' and inserting ``Long Walk Trail.--The'';
       (2) by redesignating the second paragraph after paragraph 
     (40) as paragraph (42); and
       (3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(43) Mississippi River Trail.--The route of the 
     Mississippi River from its headwaters in the State of 
     Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico.''.
       (b) Relation to Other Studies.--The study required by the 
     amendment made by this section is intended to complement, and 
     not duplicate, other studies of the scenic or historical 
     importance of the Mississippi River that may be underway or 
     undertaken.

  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. 1796 would designate the route of the Mississippi River for 
study as a potential addition to the National Trails System as a 
national scenic trail, national historic trail or both. The route would 
stretch from its headwaters in the State of Minnesota to the Gulf of 
Mexico.
  Establishing a national trail along the river will connect the nearly 
40 existing public land units on or very near the river which includes 
national forests, national parks, and wildlife refuges.
  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, Representative Betty McCollum is to be 
commented for her foresight in introducing this legislation and her 
diligence in working to get her bill to the floor today.
  The importance of the mighty Mississippi in her district and all 
along its route as it bisects this country before reaching the Gulf of 
Mexico can never be overstated.
  I am a proud cosponsor of this legislation, and I urge my colleagues 
to support H.R. 1796.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as she may consume to my friend and 
our colleague from St. Paul, Minnesota (Ms. McCollum), the sponsor of 
this legislation.
  Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my 
colleague from Guam, a fellow alumni from the College of St. 
Catherine's located in St. Paul, Minnesota, on the banks of the 
Mississippi River.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1796, the Mississippi 
River Trail Study Act, which will help connect America and Americans in 
the future to the Mississippi River and focus attention on its 
incredible natural resource.
  The Mississippi River Trail Study Act authorizes the Secretary of the 
Interior to conduct a study examining the feasibility and the 
suitability of including the Mississippi corridor in our National 
Trails System.
  This study will be an important step towards coordinating the public 
and private amenities along the river, preserving its natural 
treasures, and recognizing the Mississippi's historic and cultural 
values for our country.
  This will be the first time the Mississippi River corridor is 
considered for inclusion in our National Park System, and it should be 
for, after all, the Mississippi River is America's river.
  On its journey from Lake Itasca in my home State of Minnesota to the 
Gulf of Mexico, the Mississippi River touches 10 States.

                              {time}  1515

  It shapes the everyday life for more than 11 million Americans living 
in communities along its banks and contributes to the enjoyment of 
millions of domestic and international tourists who visit the 
Mississippi River attractions each year.
  The mighty Mississippi continues to be a working river, moving goods 
safely and inexpensively along America's natural artery of commerce.
  The Mississippi River Trail Study Act is supported by local and 
multi-state groups. For example, the Mississippi Parkway Commission, 
the Audubon Minnesota and the Mississippi River Trail Corporation have 
offered to help the National Park Service complete the study by 
contributing data, local contacts and other tangible forms of 
assistance, and these are just a few of the examples that the Park 
Service can expect all up and down the Mississippi River corridor.
  The Park Service said, with this help and cooperation from groups, 
they will be able to save time and money in completing the study.
  In the past, the Mississippi River has been a powerful story line in 
America's narrative. Today, the River continues to shape our identity, 
strengthen our economy, and its beauty continues to be breathtaking. 
The Mississippi River a national treasure, deserving consideration 
authorized by this legislation.
  Once again, I thank my colleagues from Guam and New Mexico for 
helping with the floor debate.
  Mr. PEARCE. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time
  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative McCollum for her 
remarks. I have no further speakers.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. PEARCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by

[[Page H6951]]

the gentleman from New Mexico (Mr. Pearce) that the House suspend the 
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 1796.
  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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