[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 93 (Monday, June 11, 2007)]
[House]
[Pages H6186-H6187]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      RECOGNIZING 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF LAKE SIDNEY LANIER, GEORGIA

  Mr. ALTMIRE. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 354) to recognize the year 2007 as the official 
50th anniversary celebration of the beginnings of marinas, power 
production, recreation, and boating on Lake Sidney Lanier, Georgia.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 354

       Whereas the Congress of the United States authorized the 
     creation of Lake Sidney Lanier and Buford Dam by official act 
     in 1946 for flood control, power production, wildlife 
     preservation and downstream navigation;
       Whereas construction on the Buford Dam project by the Army 
     Corps of Engineers began in 1951;
       Whereas the Army Corps of Engineers constructed the dam and 
     lake on the Chattahoochee and Chestatee Rivers at a cost of 
     approximately $45,000,000;
       Whereas, in 1956, Jack Beachem and the Army Corps of 
     Engineers signed a lease to create Holiday on Lake Sidney 
     Lanier Marina as the lake's first concessionaire;
       Whereas the first power was produced through Buford Dam at 
     Lake Sidney Lanier on June 16, 1957;
       Whereas Holiday on Lake Sidney Lanier opened on July 4, 
     1957;
       Whereas Buford Dam was officially dedicated on October 9, 
     1957;
       Whereas nearly 225,000 people visited Lake Sidney Lanier to 
     boat, fish and recreate in 1957;
       Whereas, in present times, more than 8,000,000 visitors 
     enjoy the attributes and assets of Lake Sidney Lanier 
     annually to boat, fish, swim, camp, and otherwise recreate in 
     the great outdoors;
       Whereas Lake Sidney Lanier generates more than 
     $5,000,000,000 in economic impact annually, according to a 
     study commissioned by the Marine Trade Association of 
     Metropolitan Atlanta;
       Whereas, Lake Sidney Lanier has won the prestigious Chief 
     of Engineers Annual Project of the Year Award, the highest 
     recognition from the Army Corps of Engineers for outstanding 
     management, an unprecedented 3 times in 12 years--1990, 1997 
     and 2002;
       Whereas Lake Sidney Lanier hosted the paddling and rowing 
     events for the 1996 Summer Olympics;
       Whereas marinas serve as the gateway to recreation for the 
     public on America's waterways;
       Whereas Lake Sidney Lanier is now home to 10 marinas --
     Aqualand Marina, Bald Ridge Marina, Gainesville Marina, 
     Habersham Marina, Holiday on Lake Sidney Lanier, Lanier 
     Harbor Marina, Lazy Days Marina, Port Royale Marina, 
     Starboard Cove Marina, and Sunrise Cove Marina;
       Whereas Lake Sidney Lanier will join the Nation on 
     Saturday, August 11 in celebration and commemoration of 
     National Marina Day; and
       Whereas 2007 marks the 50th anniversary of Lake Sidney 
     Lanier: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved,  That the House of Representative recognizes the 
     50th anniversary celebration of the beginnings of marinas, 
     power production, recreation, and boating on Lake Sidney 
     Lanier, Georgia.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Altmire) and the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Pennsylvania.


                             General Leave

  Mr. ALTMIRE. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include 
extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Pennsylvania?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. ALTMIRE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  I rise in support of House Resolution 354 offered by the gentleman 
from Georgia (Mr. Deal) to recognize the year 2007 as the official 50th 
anniversary celebration of Lake Sidney Lanier.
  Congress first authorized the construction of Buford Dam in 1946 as 
one project in a comprehensive plan to develop our Nation's water 
resources for the purposes of national defense, power production, flood 
control, navigation, and water supply. The first groundbreaking for 
construction occurred on March 1, 1950, and on June 17, 1957, the first 
hydropower was produced by the generators of the dam.

[[Page H6187]]

  Today, Lake Lanier provides power production, flood control, water 
supply, navigation, fish and wildlife management, and recreational 
activities to members of the surrounding communities and businesses. 
This week in June is a suitable time to recognize Lake Lanier's 
contributions to the area and accomplishments. As summer heat begins to 
spread across the Nation, both water supply and cooling water 
recreational activities are on many minds.
  More than 60 percent of the population of the State of Georgia relies 
on water stored in Lake Lanier or down the Chattahoochee River. 
Similarly, properties around the lake and down the river rely on its 
banks and dam for flood control.
  Nearly 8 million visitors come annually to appreciate the scenery and 
leisure opportunities provided by the lake. In fact, Lake Lanier holds 
the title of the most-visited Army Corps lake in the entire country. 
Facilities include 10 marinas and 57 parks for swimming, boating, 
fishing and picnicking. In 1996, Lake Lanier hosted the paddling and 
rowing competitions for the Summer Olympics in Atlanta.
  And several years ago, the Marine Trade Association of Metro Atlanta 
found that Lake Lanier has an economic impact of $5.5 billion.
  I urge my colleagues to join with me and the gentleman from Georgia 
(Mr. Deal) in supporting House Resolution 354 to honor the impacts, 
accomplishments and continuing success of Lake Lanier on its 50th 
anniversary.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. LaTOURETTE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Madam Speaker, today we recognize the 50th anniversary of Lake Sidney 
Lanier, an Army Corps of Engineers facility located in the State of 
Georgia.
  Lake Lanier is one of 464 lakes in 43 States constructed and operated 
by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
  Our Nation is blessed with considerable water resources that support 
our Nation's economy and quality of life. We need water for our homes, 
farms and factories. Water also supports navigation, generates power 
and sustains our environment.
  Congress authorized the Buford Dam Project in 1946 just after the end 
of the Second World War. Groundbreaking for the project began in 1950. 
Constructed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Lake Lanier is a 
multipurpose, 38,000-acre lake that provides flood protection, power 
production, water supply, navigation, recreation, and fish and wildlife 
management.
  Nestled in the foothills of the Georgia Blue Ridge Mountains, Lake 
Sidney Lanier is one of America's favorite lakes. Over 7.5 million 
people a year choose to visit Lake Lanier. With over 692 miles of 
shoreline, the lake is well known for its aqua-blue colored water, 
spectacular scenery and variety of recreational activities.
  When completed, the total cost of construction, including land 
acquisition, was almost $45 million. When the gates of the dam were 
closed in 1956, it took more than 3 years for the lake to reach its 
normal elevation of 1,070 feet above sea level.
  The lake is named for one of the Nation's most famous poets, Sidney 
Lanier. Born in Georgia in 1842, Mr. Lanier entered Oglethorpe College 
at 14 years of age, graduating at the top of his class in 1860.
  While serving on the blockade runner ``Lucy'' during the Civil War, 
Mr. Lanier was captured and contracted tuberculosis while imprisoned in 
Maryland. Following the Civil War, Mr. Lanier played the flute for the 
Peabody Symphony and lectured at Johns Hopkins University.
  While he is known for works like ``The Harlequin of Dreams,'' ``In 
Absence,'' ``Acknowledgement,'' and ``Sunrise,'' he is best remembered 
for ``The Song of the Chattahoochee,'' an enduring legacy for the 
native Georgian.
  I urge all of our Members to support this legislation.
  Mr. OBERSTAR. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 354, 
recognizing the year 2007 as the official 50th anniversary celebration 
of the beginnings of marinas, power production, recreation, and boating 
on Lake Sidney Lanier, Georgia.
  Lake Lanier is named after Sidney Clopton Lanier, a poet and musician 
who was born in Macon, Georgia, in 1842. After participating in battle 
during the Civil War, and being captured and imprisoned in Point 
Lookout, Maryland, Mr. Lanier contracted tuberculosis, which would 
affect him for the rest of his life.
  Mr. Lanier's life was one of practicality and beauty: while he 
practiced law to support his wife and four children, he was also the 
first flutist in the Peabody Orchestra in Baltimore, Maryland, and an 
accomplished poet. The Lake was named after Mr. Lanier because of the 
way he positively portrayed the Chattahoochee River in his poetry.
  In fact, Lake Lanier itself is a symbol of both practicality and 
beauty. It provides crucial flood control, protecting approximately $2 
billion worth of property in the surrounding area. Similarly, on June 
16, 1957--50 years ago this week--Buford Dam began producing power for 
the first time. Hydropower continues to flow from these waters to this 
day.
  Although the lake is one of 464 lakes constructed and operated by the 
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, it has won the annual award for ``best 
operated lake'' for three separate years: 1990, 1997, and 2002.
  While the flood control, water supply, and power production role of 
Lake Lanier may be critical to the continuing livelihood of the 
communities in the surrounding area, the lake also provides beautiful 
scenery and recreational opportunities that local citizens and visiting 
tourists enjoy. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers estimates that more 
than 7.5 million people visit the 692 miles of lake shoreline each 
year.
  I urge my colleagues to join with me in recognizing the 50th 
anniversary of Lake Lanier.
  Mr. LaTOURETTE. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. ALTMIRE. Madam Speaker, I urge passage of the resolution, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Altmire) that the House suspend the 
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 354.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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