Congressional Record, Volume 152 Issue 132 (Tuesday, December 5, 2006)

[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 132 (Tuesday, December 5, 2006)]
[House]
[Pages H8694-H8695]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

CAPTAIN JOHN SMITH CHESAPEAKE NATIONAL HISTORIC TRAIL DESIGNATION ACT

Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 5466) to amend the National Trails System Act to designate
the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail, as amended.
The Clerk read as follows:

H.R. 5466

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 ``Captain John Smith
Chesapeake National Historic Trail Designation Act''.

SEC. 2. ADDITION TO NATIONAL SCENIC AND NATIONAL HISTORIC
TRAILS.

Section 5(a) of the National Trails System Act (16 U.S.C.
1244(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(25) Captain john smith chesapeake national historic
trail.--
``(A) In general.--The John Smith Chesapeake National
Historic Trail, a series of water routes extending
approximately 3,000 miles along the Chesapeake Bay and the
tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay in the States of Virginia,
Maryland, and Delaware, and in the District of Columbia, that
traces the 1607-1609 voyages of Captain John Smith to chart
the land and waterways of the Chesapeake Bay, as generally
depicted on the map entitled `Captain John Smith Chesapeake
National Historic Trail Map MD, VA, DE, and DC', numbered P-
16/8000 (CAJO), and dated May 2006.
``(B) Map.--The map referred to in subparagraph (A) shall
be on file and available for public inspection in the
appropriate offices of the National Park Service.
``(C) Administration.--The trail shall be administered by
the Secretary of the Interior--
``(i) in coordination with--

``(I) the Chesapeake Bay Gateways and Watertrails Network
authorized under the Chesapeake Bay Initiative Act of 1998
(16 U.S.C. 461 note; 112 Stat. 2961); and
``(II) the Chesapeake Bay Program authorized under section
117 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C.
1267); and

``(ii) in consultation with--

``(I) other Federal, State, tribal, regional, and local
agencies; and
``(II) the private sector.

``(D) Land acquisition.--The United States shall not
acquire for the trail any land or interest in land outside
the exterior boundary of any federally-managed area without
the consent of the owner of the land or interest in land.''.

SEC. 3. CHANGE IN AUTHORIZATION.

Section 4 of the Act of July 3, 1930 (16 U.S.C. 81f), is
amended in the first sentence by striking ``10,472,000'' and
inserting ``8,572,000''.

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. Speaker, H.R. 5466 introduced by the gentlewoman
from Virginia (Mrs. Jo Ann Davis) would amend the National Trails
System Act to designate the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National
Historic Trail within the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.
This bill would designate a series of water routes along 3,000 miles
of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries as a natural historic water
trail. The trail would include routes in the States of Virginia,
Maryland and Delaware and the District of Columbia and would be
administered by the Secretary of the Interior, with coordination from
the Chesapeake Bay Gateways and Water Trails Network, the Chesapeake
Bay program and Federal, State, tribal, regional and local agencies.
The goal of the bill is to educate the public about the 1607 and 1608
voyage of Captain John Smith to chart the waterways of the Chesapeake
Bay. Designating the trail would provide new opportunities for
education, recreation and historic tourism in the region.
As we approach the 400th anniversary of the Jamestown settlement and
the beginning of Captain Smith's exploration in 2007, the enactment of
this bill is most timely.
I urge the adoption of the bill.
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 trail proposal has been thoroughly
studied and is widely supported. Our former House colleague and now-
retiring Senator from Maryland, Paul Sarbanes, is to be commended for
his sponsorship of the Senate companion measure and for his work on
behalf of this proposal. We have no objection to H.R. 5466.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the distinguished
gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Scott).
Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R.
5466. Next year the Commonwealth of Virginia and our great Nation will
celebrate the 400th anniversary of the founding of Jamestown, the first
English permanent settlement in North America. Designating the Captain
John Smith National Chesapeake Historical Trail is an important
component of this historic celebration.
The trail traces the route of Captain John Smith on his exploration
voyage of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. Captain Smith and his
crew of just one dozen men traveled nearly 3,000 miles along the
Chesapeake Bay, and it was Captain John Smith's 1612 map which was the
first accurate depiction of the Chesapeake Bay region.
Next year the entire world will help us celebrate this historic
anniversary, and Virginia is preparing a year-long celebration. The
Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail will highlight
the Chesapeake Bay, and the passage of the bill prior to the 400th
anniversary celebration is extremely important.
I would like to thank the bill's sponsor, my distinguished colleague
from Virginia (Mrs. Jo Ann Davis) for her distinguished leadership in
this effort. I would also like to thank the House leadership and
committee leadership on both sides of the aisle for working to bring
this important bill to the floor before the House adjourns.
I urge my colleagues to support the legislation
Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to
the gentlewoman from Virginia (Mrs. Jo Ann Davis).
Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the
chairman for his leadership and hard work on H.R. 5466, the Captain
John Smith National Historic Water Trail, which is very important to my
district.
The John Smith Water Trail has support from across the Bay watershed.
My colleagues from Virginia, Maryland, Delaware and Pennsylvania have
been tremendously supportive. State legislatures, Governors, county
governments, local boards of supervisors, citizens groups and
nonprofits, including the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, have supported
this project.
Also I would like to recognize the leadership of Pat Noonan of the
Conservation Fund and Gilbert Grosvenor, chairman of the National
Geographic Society, for all of their hard work.
In 1607, Captain John Smith and a small band of Englishmen set foot
in North America with the intent of finding gold and quick riches.
Instead, they represented the first wave of English colonists that
would permanently settle the New World.
Four hundred years ago, 140 men from the Virginia Company settled at

[[Page H8695]]

Jamestown on the banks of the James River in Tidewater, Virginia. In
search of a northwest passage to the Pacific Ocean, Captain John Smith
and a dozen men explored the Chesapeake Bay in a small barge. From
Jamestown, they explored the Bay's major rivers, the James, the York,
the Rappahannock, the Potomac and Susquehanna.
Between 1607 and 1609 Smith mapped and explored nearly 3,000 miles of
the Chesapeake Bay. Captain Smith's maps and writings influenced
exploration and settlement in the New World for over a century.
During Smith's voyages, he encountered the Native Americans in the
Chesapeake Bay watershed. He developed trading relationships with many
tribes. He documented the culture, languages and settlements of our
country's first people.
This spring, the world will recognize the 400th anniversary of the
founding of Jamestown in 1607. The Queen of England will visit America
commemorating this significant event. Central to the story of Jamestown
is Captain Smith's voyages.
This National Historic Trail designation signifies Captain John
Smith's profound influence that shaped the course of our Nation and
represents a lasting tribute to the American spirit of discovery and
exploration.
Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to support the Captain John Smith
Chesapeake National Historic Trail, and I appreciate all the hard work
of our chairman and those who put forth their effort in this event.
Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 5466,
the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail Designation
Act. I am pleased to be an original cosponsor of this legislation which
was introduced by my colleagues Jo Ann Davis of Virginia in the House
and Paul S. Sarbanes in the Senate.
Nearly 400 years ago, after helping establish the Jamestown colony
and enduring capture by the native Powhatan people, Captain John Smith
embarked on two voyages to explore the Chesapeake Bay and its
tributaries. He and his small crew set off in an open, 28-foot shallop
seeking greater knowledge of the region, its inhabitants, and its
resources, while also attempting to find the Northwest Passage.
During these and other expeditions, Captain Smith and his crew
explored more than 3,000 miles of the Chesapeake Bay watershed. In what
is now Maryland's Fifth Congressional District, the team surveyed the
Potomac and Patuxent Rivers and disembarked in present day Calvert, St.
Mary's, Charles, Prince George's and Anne Arundel Counties.
In 1612, Captain Smith published a map of the Chesapeake Bay region
which remains quite accurate and was used for nearly a century by
European settlers who colonized the region.
The legislation we consider today will take a critical step in
marking Captain Smith's remarkable voyage and underscores the continued
importance of the Chesapeake Bay to the people of our region and this
Nation.
Passage and enactment of H.R. 5466 will amend the National Trails Act
to include the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail--
joining such historic routes as the Lewis and Clark expedition and the
civil rights march from Selma to Montgomery. However, unlike existing
national historic trails, the Captain Smith Trail is unique in that it
is almost entirely water-based.
In many instances, those experiencing the trail will have the
opportunity to marvel at some of the same sites that Captain Smith and
his crew beheld 400 years ago. They will also be able to visit a number
of museums and parks along the trail, such as the Calvert Marine
Museum, Jefferson Patterson Park, and Piscataway Park, which will help
tell the story of this magnificent voyage.
This legislation is supported by the National Park Service, which
determined that Captain Smith's Chesapeake Bay voyages meet the
criteria for national historic trails as set forth in the National
Trails Act. It also has the support of a wide cross section of groups,
including the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, the National Geographic
Society, and the National Parks Conservation Society.
Mr. Speaker, I again want to underscore my strong support of H.R.
5466 and I urge my colleagues to join with me in voting for this
legislation.
Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of
the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail.
This 2,300-mile trail retraces the waterborne route of Captain John
Smith, who charted the Chesapeake Bay 400 years ago. The route
stretches from the head of the Bay at Havre de Grace to the mouth at
Cape Charles, and would enable visitors to explore Captain Smith's
tracks, all of which helped to lay the foundation for our beloved
Nation.
The journey of Captain John Smith dates back to June 2, 1608, when he
and 14 English colonists set out from Jamestown to explore the
Chesapeake Bay. The journey took over 3 months to complete and was
marked by its success as the first thorough exploration of the Bay
area. It was also key in discovering that the Chesapeake Bay did not
open up into the Pacific Ocean. Additionally, Captain Smith's map of
the Chesapeake opened up the area to thousands of European settlers,
who may not have come to America otherwise.
The Chesapeake Bay has a rich and unique heritage, and deserves to be
commemorated through passage of this historic water trail. It is only
fitting that such a man and such a discovery be a part of Jamestown's
400th commemoration next year. The proposed trail would consist of a
circuit of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries, of which Captain
Smith explored. It would allow visitors, families, school groups and
civic organizations to retrace a route of great historic significance.
It would also serve to encourage good environmental stewardship of the
area to ensure its permanence for future generations.
Mr. Speaker, in closing, I would like to thank the Chesapeake Bay for
the impact it has had on its region and the Nation. I ask that my
colleagues join me supporting H.R. 5466 and ensure the establishment of
the historic Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail.
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. 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. 5466, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds of those voting having
responded in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the bill, as
amended, was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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