[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 47 (Monday, March 19, 2007)]
[House]
[Page H2631]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          TAUNTON, MASSACHUSETTS, SPECIAL RESOURCES STUDY ACT

  Mr. GRIJALVA. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 1021) to direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a 
special resources study regarding the suitability and feasibility of 
designating certain historic buildings and areas in Taunton, 
Massachusetts, as a unit of the National Park System, and for other 
purposes.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 1021

       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 ``Taunton, Massachusetts 
     Special Resources Study Act''.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

       Congress finds the following:
       (1) The city of Taunton, Massachusetts, is home to 9 
     distinct historic districts, with more than 600 properties on 
     the National Register of Historic Places. Included among 
     these districts are the Church Green Historic District, the 
     Courthouse Historic District, the Taunton Green Historic 
     District, and the Reed and Barton Historic District.
       (2) All of these districts include buildings and building 
     facades of great historical, cultural, and architectural 
     value.
       (3) Taunton Green is the site where the Sons of Liberty 
     first raised the Liberty and Union Flag in 1774, an event 
     that helped to spark a popular movement, culminating in the 
     American Revolution, and Taunton citizens have been among the 
     first to volunteer for America's subsequent wars.
       (4) Robert Treat Paine, a citizen of Taunton, and the first 
     Attorney General of Massachusetts, was a signer of the 
     Declaration of Independence.
       (5) Taunton was a leading community in the Industrial 
     Revolution, and its industrial area has been the site of many 
     innovations in such industries as silver manufacture, paper 
     manufacture, and ship building.
       (6) The landscaping of the Courthouse Green was designed by 
     Frederick Law Olmsted, who also left landscaping ideas and 
     plans for other areas in the city which have great value and 
     interest as historical archives and objects of future study.
       (7) Main Street, which connects many of the historic 
     districts, is home to the Taunton City Hall and the Leonard 
     Block building, 2 outstanding examples of early 19th Century 
     American architecture, as well as many other historically and 
     architecturally significant structures.
       (8) The city and people of Taunton have preserved many 
     artifacts, gravesites, and important documents dating back to 
     1638 when Taunton was founded.
       (9) Taunton was and continues to be an important 
     destination for immigrants from Europe and other parts of the 
     world who have helped to give Southeastern Massachusetts its 
     unique ethnic character.

     SEC. 3. STUDY.

       The Secretary, in consultation with the appropriate State 
     historic preservation officers, State historical societies, 
     the city of Taunton, and other appropriate organizations, 
     shall conduct a special resources study regarding the 
     suitability and feasibility of designating certain historic 
     buildings and areas in Taunton, Massachusetts, as a unit of 
     the National Park System. The study shall be conducted and 
     completed in accordance with section 8(c) of Public Law 91-
     383 (16 U.S.C. 1a-5(c)) and shall include analysis, 
     documentation, and determinations regarding whether the 
     historic areas in Taunton--
       (1) can be managed, curated, interpreted, restored, 
     preserved, and presented as an organic whole under management 
     by the National Park Service or under an alternative 
     management structure;
       (2) have an assemblage of natural, historic, and cultural 
     resources that together represent distinctive aspects of 
     American heritage worthy of recognition, conservation, 
     interpretation, and continuing use;
       (3) reflect traditions, customs, beliefs, and historical 
     events that are valuable parts of the national story;
       (4) provide outstanding opportunities to conserve natural, 
     historic, cultural, architectural, or scenic features;
       (5) provide outstanding recreational and educational 
     opportunities; and
       (6) can be managed by the National Park Service in 
     partnership with residents, business interests, nonprofit 
     organizations, and State and local governments to develop a 
     unit of the National Park System consistent with State and 
     local economic activity.

     SEC. 4. REPORT.

       Not later than 3 fiscal years after the date on which funds 
     are first made available for this Act, the Secretary shall 
     submit to the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of 
     Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural 
     Resources of the Senate a report on the findings, 
     conclusions, and recommendations of the study required under 
     section 3.

     SEC. 5. PRIVATE PROPERTY.

       The recommendations in the report submitted pursuant to 
     section 4 shall include discussion and consideration of the 
     concerns expressed by private landowners with respect to 
     designating certain structures referred to in this Act as a 
     unit of the National Park System.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Arizona (Mr. Grijalva) and the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Bishop) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Arizona.


                             General Leave

  Mr. GRIJALVA. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and 
include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Arizona?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. GRIJALVA. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Madam Speaker, H.R. 1021 directs the Secretary of the Interior to 
conduct a special resources study to determine if certain historic 
buildings and areas in Taunton, Massachusetts, are suitable and 
feasible for designation as a unit of the National Park System. The 
bill was introduced by the gentleman from Massachusetts, Mr. Barney 
Frank.
  Taunton is a city rich in cultural and historic resources. The city 
is home to nine historic districts, with more than 600 properties on 
the National Registry of Historic Places. A comprehensive study of 
these resources will help to determine if inclusion within the National 
Park System is appropriate. This study will be completed in 
consultation with the State historic preservation officer, State 
Historical Society, and the city of Taunton and other appropriate 
organizations.
  Madam Speaker, I want to congratulate Representative Frank for his 
efforts on behalf of this legislation and this community. I would note 
that identical legislation was approved by the House in the last 
Congress, and we urge our colleagues to support the measure today.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

                              {time}  1430

  Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  H.R. 1021 has been adequately explained by the majority, and we have 
no objection to this legislation. We also have no other speakers.
  Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. GRIJALVA. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Grijalva) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 1021.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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