[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 118 (Monday, July 23, 2007)]
[House]
[Pages H8193-H8194]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        LEWIS AND CLARK NATIONAL HISTORIC TRAIL LAND CONVEYANCE

  Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 761) to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to convey to 
the Missouri River Basin Lewis and Clark Interpretive Trail and Visitor 
Center Foundation, Inc. certain Federal land associated with the Lewis 
and Clark National Historic Trail in Nebraska, to be used as a 
historical interpretive site along the trail, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                                H.R. 761

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. LAND CONVEYANCE, LEWIS AND CLARK NATIONAL HISTORIC 
                   TRAIL, NEBRASKA.

       (a) Conveyance Authorized.--The Secretary of the Interior 
     may convey, without consideration, to the Missouri River 
     Basin Lewis and Clark Interpretive Trail and Visitor Center 
     Foundation, Inc. (a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization 
     with operational headquarters at 100 Valmont Drive, Nebraska 
     City, Nebraska 68410), all right, title, and interest of the 
     United States in and to the federally owned land under 
     jurisdiction of the Secretary consisting of two parcels as 
     generally depicted on the map titled ``Lewis and Clark 
     National Historic Trail'', numbered 648/80,002, and dated 
     March 2006.
       (b) Survey; Conveyance Cost.--The exact acreage and legal 
     description of the land to be conveyed under subsection (a) 
     shall be determined by a survey satisfactory to the 
     Secretary. The cost of the survey and all other costs 
     incurred by the Secretary to convey the land shall be borne 
     by the Missouri River Basin Lewis and Clark Interpretive 
     Trail and Visitor Center Foundation, Inc.
       (c) Condition of Conveyance, Use of Conveyed Land.--The 
     conveyance authorized under subsection (a) shall be subject 
     to the condition that the Missouri River Basin Lewis and 
     Clark Interpretive Trail and Visitor Center Foundation, Inc. 
     use the conveyed land as an historic site and interpretive 
     center for the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail.
       (d) Discontinuance of Use.--If Missouri River Basin Lewis 
     and Clark Interpretive Trail and Visitor Center Foundation, 
     Inc. determines to discontinue use of the land conveyed under 
     subsection (a) as an historic site and interpretive center 
     for the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, the Missouri 
     River Basin Lewis and Clark Interpretive Trail and Visitor 
     Center Foundation, Inc. shall convey lands back to the 
     Secretary without consideration.
       (e) Additional Terms and Conditions.--The Secretary may 
     require such additional terms and conditions in connection 
     with the conveyance under subsection (a) or the conveyance, 
     if any, under subsection (d) as the Secretary considers 
     appropriate to protect the interests of the United States. 
     Through a written agreement with the Foundation, the National 
     Park Service shall ensure that the operation of the land 
     conveyed under subsection (a) is in accordance with National 
     Park Service standards for preservation, maintenance, and 
     interpretation.
       (f) Authorization of Appropriations.--To assist with the 
     operation of the historic site and interpretive center, there 
     is authorized to be appropriated $150,000 per year for a 
     period not to exceed 10 years.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Arizona (Mr. Grijalva) and the gentlewoman from Washington (Mrs. 
McMorris Rodgers) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Arizona.


                             General Leave

  Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend 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. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 761, sponsored by Representative 
Fortenberry of Nebraska, would transfer to a nonprofit foundation an 
existing visitor center for the Lewis and Clark Historic Trail in 
Nebraska. The legislation turns the site over to the nonprofit entity 
which currently manages the facility in partnership with the National 
Park Service.
  This measure includes a reversionary clause and other safeguards to 
protect the Federal investment in the center.
  We have no objection to H.R. 761 and support its passage by the House 
today.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. McMORRIS RODGERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 761 and 
yield myself such time as I may consume.
  H.R. 761 has been adequately explained by the majority. I am pleased 
that Mr. Fortenberry has brought us this legislation that will benefit 
both his constituents and taxpayers across the Nation.
  Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Mr. Speaker, along with my colleagues from 
Nebraska, I am pleased to offer my support for H.R. 761, a bill that 
would authorize the conveyance of certain federal lands by the 
Secretary of Interior to the Missouri River Basin Lewis and Clark 
Interpretive Trail and Visitor Center Foundation, Inc. and authorize 
the appropriation of annual funds to operate the Center.
  The journey of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark does not belong to 
Nebraska, but to all of America.
  The Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center features descriptions of 178 
plants and 122 animals recorded by Lewis and Clark during their 
explorations.
  This center should be a destination for any person who is interested 
in American history, in the species of flora and fauna then found in 
the unexplored regions of our country, or in the spirit of expansion 
that helped form our country.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this bill authorizing 
the transfer of Federal lands associated with the Lewis and Clark 
National Historic Trail in Nebraska to the private nonprofit 
foundation. It is a valuable resource for every American.
  Mr. FORTENBERRY. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to offer my strong support 
for H.R. 761, a bill to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to 
convey a Lewis and Clark visitor center in my district from the 
National Park Service to a well-respected non-profit organization. As 
the sponsor of this bill, I encourage my colleagues to support this 
important legislation.
  I would like to begin by expressing my sincere appreciation to the 
distinguished gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. Rahall), the Chairman 
of the House Committee on Natural Resources and the distinguished 
gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young), the Ranking Member on the Committee, 
as well as the distinguished gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Grijalva), the 
Chairman of the National Parks, Forests and Public Lands Subcommittee, 
and the distinguished gentleman from Utah (Mr. Bishop), the Ranking 
Member on the Subcommittee for their outstanding work in bringing this 
legislation to the Floor.
  The Lewis and Clark Interpretive Trail and Visitor Center is the 
culmination of a vision that was outlined 20 years ago. Starting with 
the efforts of former Congressman Doug Bereuter, the Center's 
completion required a great deal of hard work and dedication for which 
the entire Nebraska City community should be proud.
  I would also like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to 
Nancy Hoch from Nebraska City, who has played such a key role in the 
construction of the visitor center and its ongoing operation. Her 
vision and leadership have been instrumental in making the center such 
an outstanding success.
  The bill is very straightforward. It would simply convey certain 
federal land near Nebraska City associated with the Missouri River 
Basin Lewis and Clark Interpretive Trail and Visitor Center to the 
related non-profit group, the Missouri River Basin Lewis and Clark 
Interpretive Trail and Visitor Center Foundation, Inc. The bill also 
authorizes $150,000 annually for 10 years to operate the facility. This 
legislation would actually save the federal government about $50,000 a 
year since the National Park Service currently provides about $200,000 
for the center.
  It is important to note that I worked with the National Park Service 
in drafting the language for the bill and this proposed conveyance fits 
with the long-range plans for the center. I also believe that it would 
be the most cost-effective option for the Park Service.
  H.R. 761 is cosponsored by both of my colleagues from Nebraska, 
Representatives Lee Terry and Adrian Smith. A companion bill in the 
Senate, S. 471, has the support of both Nebraska senators, Chuck Hagel 
and Ben Nelson.
  The Interpretive Trail and Visitor Center is an outstanding resource 
and impressive facility. The non-profit organization associated with it 
includes a committed group of individuals who have spent many years 
making the center a reality and ensuring that it provides a meaningful 
and educational experience for those who visit. This legislative action 
is needed to fulfill the original plan for operating the visitor 
center.
  The Missouri River Basin Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center is truly 
unique. It is the only visitor center or museum in the United States to 
focus on the flora and fauna and scientific discoveries recorded by 
Lewis and Clark.

[[Page H8194]]

  The Lewis and Clark Expedition was a watershed mark in American 
history. Two centuries later, the courageous story of these two 
outstanding explorers and the Corps of Discovery continues to inspire 
Americans of all ages. This legislation will help ensure that future 
generations will have the opportunity to learn about this remarkable 
journey.
  Again Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to vote for H.R. 761.
  Mrs. McMORRIS RODGERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. GRIJALVA. 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 Arizona (Mr. Grijalva) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 761, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________