[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 113 (Monday, July 16, 2007)]
[House]
[Pages H7811-H7812]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
COLONEL CHARLES D. MAYNARD LOCK AND DAM
Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend
the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 781) to redesignate Lock and Dam No.
5 of the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System near Redfield,
Arkansas, authorized by the Rivers and Harbors Act approved July 24,
1946, as the ``Colonel Charles D. Maynard Lock and Dam''.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 781
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) Colonel Charles D. Maynard, who served the Nation with
distinction as an engineer officer in World War II and
afterwards oversaw the massive buildup of work on the
``Arkansas River Project'' in the early 1960s which at the
time was the largest civil works project ever undertaken by
the Corps of Engineers while concurrently overseeing
construction of Greers Ferry and Beaver Dams on the White
River.
(2) Colonel Charles D. Maynard was assigned as district
engineer of the Little Rock Engineer District for 3 years
during which time he directed planning, design, and
construction of 13 locks and dams of the McClellan-Kerr
Arkansas River Navigation Project.
(3) Colonel Charles D. Maynard successfully met the
challenging schedules set by Congress and the Administration
while coordinating with a host of state and Federal agencies
in Arkansas and Oklahoma.
(4) Colonel Charles D. Maynard served as Chairman and
President of the Water Resources Association of America,
President of the Arkansas Basin Association, member of the
Arkansas Basin Coordinating Committee of the Arkansas Basin
Development Association.
(5) Colonel Charles D. Maynard actively promoted
development of waterborne transportation in Arkansas and was
appointed by 3 governors to serve on the Arkansas Waterways
Commission for 21 years.
(6) Colonel Charles D. Maynard provided Congressional
testimony in support of the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River
Navigation System, Fourche Creek Flood Control Project, and
Montgomery Point Lock and Dam on behalf of various Arkansas
associations and committees, and was named as a member of the
Arkansas River Hall of Fame.
(7) Colonel Charles D. Maynard, who died on October 22,
2005, served in numerous community and civic roles, including
the United States Savings Bond Coordinator for Arkansas for
10 years, Campaign Chairman for the United Way of Pulaski
County, Chairman Emeritus of Central Arkansas Radiation
Treatment Center, and President of the Little Rock Chamber of
Commerce.
(8) Colonel Charles D. Maynard was a dedicated citizen who
served on a number of boards supporting his state and local
community including Arkansas Arts Center, the Arkansas
Symphony, and the Foundation Board of the University of
Arkansas for Medical Sciences.
SEC. 2. LOCK AND DAM REDESIGNATION.
(a) Redesignation.--Lock and Dam No. 5 of the McClellan-
Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System near Redfield,
Arkansas, authorized by the Rivers and Harbors Act approved
July 24, 1946, shall be known and redesignated as the
``Colonel Charles D. Maynard Lock and Dam''.
(b) References.--Any reference in a law, map, regulation,
document, paper, or other record of the United States to the
lock and dam referred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to
be a reference to the ``Colonel Charles D. Maynard Lock and
Dam''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from
Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson) and the gentleman from Georgia (Mr.
Westmoreland) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Texas.
General Leave
Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. 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 bill under
consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentlewoman from Texas?
There was no objection.
Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I yield myself as
much time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 781, offered by my
colleague, Mr. Ross of Arkansas, to redesignate lock and dam No. 5 of
the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System as the Colonel
Charles D. Maynard Lock and Dam. The bill has the support of the entire
Arkansas delegation.
Colonel Maynard made an undeniable contribution to the State of
Arkansas through his professional duties and social services. Educated
at West Point, he was the district engineer of the Little Rock Engineer
District for 3 years, where he oversaw the planning, design and
construction of the 13 locks and dams on the McClellan-Kerr. At the
time, this was the largest civil works project ever undertaken in the
State of Arkansas.
To this day, the locks and dams provide inland waterway
transportation for commerce and well-paying jobs for many of the
residents of Arkansas. Billions of dollars in goods move through the
State's ports each year.
Colonel Maynard was an integral connection between the project and
Congress: he provided congressional testimony in support of McClellan-
Kerr, and he consistently met the deadlines our body designated for the
project.
Because of his work promoting waterborne transportation in Arkansas,
Colonel Maynard was appointed by three separate Governors to serve on
the Arkansas Waterways Commission. He served on the commission for 21
years.
His civil roles included a variety of leadership positions for
charity groups to better our society and for groups such as the Little
Rock Chamber of Commerce to help promote business in his community.
Although Colonel Maynard passed away October 22, 2005, he remains a
symbol of how best to engineer our
[[Page H7812]]
civil works projects for the benefit of all. His memory could also be
used to call attention to the vital role inland waterways have for our
economy, and remind us of the improvements and necessary maintenance
projects needed for our commerce on these rivers to thrive.
I urge my colleagues to join with me in supporting H.R. 781.
Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. WESTMORELAND. Madam Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may
consume.
Madam Speaker, the Arkansas River system provides navigation, flood
protection, hydropower, water supply and recreation for millions of
Americans. This body of water provides a 9-foot navigation channel that
is almost 445 miles long and is controlled over this length by 17 locks
and dams.
Madam Speaker, lock and dam No. 5, which this legislation would name
after Colonel Charles Maynard, became operational in 1968. This is a
vital piece of infrastructure where almost 9 million tons of
commodities pass through it annually.
Prior to his work as district engineer in Little Rock, Arkansas,
Colonel Maynard served in the Army in New Guinea and the Philippines
during World War II and later supported the Berlin airlift as an
engineer in charge of construction at Keflavik Field in Iceland.
Madam Speaker, Colonel Maynard oversaw many of the Army Corps of
Engineers construction projects along the Arkansas River. Under his
watch, Colonel Maynard directed the construction of 13 of the 17 locks
along the river.
Due to his military education, management skills and World War II
experience, he was uniquely qualified for his assignment as the Little
Rock district engineer. This designation is an appropriate honor for
Colonel Maynard's achievements and contributions.
I urge all Members to support H.R. 781.
Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I yield such time
as he may consume to Mr. Ross of Arkansas.
Mr. ROSS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 781. This
legislation honors and recognizes the life and work of Colonel Charles
D. Maynard by redesignating lock and dam No. 5 of the McClellan-Kerr
Arkansas River Navigation System as the Colonel Charles D. Maynard Lock
and Dam.
{time} 1615
I would like to first thank Chairman Oberstar and subcommittee
Chairman Johnson, along with Ranking Member Mica and subcommittee
Ranking Member Baker and Mr. Westmoreland of Georgia for their support
and assistance in moving this bill from the Transportation Committee to
the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives in a bipartisan manner.
I am also pleased that this legislation has received the support and
cosponsorship of the entire Arkansas congressional delegation. I would
like to personally thank Congressman John Boozman, a Republican;
Congressmen Vic Snyder and Marion Berry, Democrats. The entire Arkansas
delegation in a bipartisan manner have come together in this
legislation.
Colonel Charles D. Maynard served our Nation with distinction as an
engineer officer in World War II. Following the war, Colonel Maynard
oversaw the Arkansas River Project in the early 1960s, which at the
time was the most substantial and largest civil works project ever
undertaken, ever undertaken, by Corps of Engineers. At the same time
Colonel Maynard also oversaw the construction of Greers Ferry and
Beaver Dams on the White River in Arkansas.
Colonel Maynard was also the Little Rock Corps District Engineer in
charge of construction of all locks and dams in Arkansas from 1962 to
1965. During that time he directed planning, design, and construction
of 13, 13, locks and dams of the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River
Navigation Project.
In addition to his work with the Corps, Colonel Maynard actively
promoted the development of waterborne transportation in Arkansas and
was appointed by three Governors to a prestigious position on the
Arkansas Waterways Commission, where he served for 21 years. He also
served as Chairman and President of the Water Resources Association of
America, President of the Arkansas Basin Association, and he was a
member of the Arkansas Basin Coordinating Committee.
As a member of the Arkansas River Hall of Fame, Colonel Maynard
provided congressional testimony in support of the McClellan-Kerr
Arkansas River Navigation System, the Fourche Creek Flood Control
Project, and the Montgomery Point Lock and Dam on behalf of various
Arkansas associations and committees.
In addition to his numerous accomplishments in waterways, Colonel
Maynard was also a dedicated citizen who served in a variety of
community and civic roles in the State of Arkansas. These included his
service as the United States Savings Bond Coordinator for Arkansas for
10 years, the Campaign Chairman for the United Way of Pulaski County,
the Chairman of Central Arkansas Radiation Treatment Center, and
President of the Little Rock, Arkansas Chamber of Commerce.
Finally, Colonel Maynard's steadfast service on numerous boards and
councils at the State and local level will never be forgotten. These
include the Arkansas Arts Center, the Arkansas Symphony, and the
Foundation Board of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.
The life and work of Colonel Charles D. Maynard were immensely
important to not only the State of Arkansas but to the entire Nation.
This resolution will write into history Colonel Maynard's countless
contributions. As such, I am proud to sponsor a resolution that
commemorates his life's work and achievements by redesignating Lock and
Dam No. 5 of the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System as the
Colonel Charles D. Maynard Lock and Dam. I urge my fellow colleagues to
vote in favor of this worthwhile legislation today.
Mr. WESTMORELAND. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time,
and I yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I have no further
requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson) that the House
suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 781.
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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