[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 142 (Monday, September 24, 2007)]
[House]
[Pages H10713-H10716]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
STAR-SPANGLED BANNER AND WAR OF 1812 BICENTENNIAL COMMISSION ACT
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and
pass the bill (H.R. 1389) to establish the Star-Spangled Banner and War
of 1812 Bicentennial Commission, and for other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 1389
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 ``Star-Spangled Banner and War
of 1812 Bicentennial Commission Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.
(a) Findings.--Congress finds that--
(1) the War of 1812 served as a crucial test for the United
States Constitution and the newly established democratic
Government;
(2) vast regions of the new multi-party democracy,
including the Chesapeake Bay, the Gulf of Mexico and the
Niagara Frontier, were affected by the War of 1812 including
the States of Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida,
Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana,
Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Missouri,
Mississippi, New Jersey, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New
York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South
Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin, West
Virginia, and the District of Columbia;
(3) the British occupation of American territory along the
Great Lakes and in other regions, the burning of Washington,
DC, the American victories at Fort McHenry, New Orleans, and
Plattsburgh, among other battles, had far reaching effects on
American society;
(4) at the Battle of Baltimore, Francis Scott Key wrote the
poem that celebrated the flag and later was titled ``the
Star-Spangled Banner'';
(5) the poem led to the establishment of the flag as an
American icon and became the words of the national anthem of
the United States in 1932; and
(6) it is in the national interest to provide for
appropriate commemorative activities to maximize public
understanding of the meaning of the War of 1812 in the
history of the United States.
(b) Purposes.--The purposes of this Act are to--
(1) establish the Star-Spangled Banner and War of 1812
Commemoration Commission;
(2) ensure a suitable national observance of the War of
1812 by complementing, cooperating with, and providing
assistance to the programs and activities of the various
States involved in the commemoration;
(3) encourage War of 1812 observances that provide an
excellent visitor experience and beneficial interaction
between visitors and the natural and cultural resources of
the various War of 1812 sites;
(4) facilitate international involvement in the War of 1812
observances;
(5) support and facilitate marketing efforts for a
commemorative coin, stamp, and related activities for the War
of 1812 observances; and
(6) promote the protection of War of 1812 resources and
assist in the appropriate development of heritage tourism and
economic benefits to the United States.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Commemoration.--The term ``commemoration'' means the
commemoration of the War of 1812.
(2) Commission.--The term ``Commission'' means the Star-
Spangled Banner and War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission
established in section 4(a).
(3) Qualified citizen.--The term ``qualified citizen''
means a citizen of the United States with an interest in,
support for, and expertise appropriate to the commemoration.
[[Page H10714]]
(4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of the Interior.
(5) States.--The term ``States''--
(A) means the States of Alabama, Kentucky, Indiana,
Louisiana, Maryland, Vermont, Virginia, New York, Maine,
Michigan, and Ohio; and
(B) includes agencies and entities of each State.
SEC. 4. STAR-SPANGLED BANNER AND WAR OF 1812 COMMEMORATION
COMMISSION.
(a) In General.--The Secretary shall establish a commission
to be known as the ``Star-Spangled Banner and War of 1812
Bicentennial Commission''.
(b) Membership.--
(1) In general.--The Commission shall be composed of 22
members, of whom--
(A) 11 members shall be qualified citizens appointed by the
Secretary after consideration of nominations submitted by the
Governors of Alabama, Kentucky, Indiana, Louisiana, Maine,
Maryland, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Vermont, and Virginia;
(B) 3 members shall be qualified citizens appointed by the
Secretary after consideration of nominations submitted by the
Mayors of the District of Columbia, the City of Baltimore,
and the City of New Orleans;
(C) 2 members shall be employees of the National Park
Service, of whom--
(i) 1 shall be the Director of the National Park Service
(or a designee); and
(ii) 1 shall be an employee of the National Park Service
having experience relevant to the commemoration;
(D) 4 members shall be qualified citizens appointed by the
Secretary with consideration of recommendations--
(i) 1 of which are submitted by the majority leader of the
Senate;
(ii) 1 of which are submitted by the minority leader of the
Senate;
(iii) 1 of which are submitted by the majority leader of
the House of Representatives;
(iv) 1 of which are submitted by the minority leader of the
House of Representatives; and
(E) 2 members shall be appointed by the Secretary from
among individuals with expertise in the history of the War of
1812.
(2) Date of appointments.--The appointment of a member of
the Commission shall be made not later than 120 days after
the date of enactment of this Act.
(c) Term; Vacancies.--
(1) Term.--A member shall be appointed for the life of the
Commission.
(2) Vacancies.--A vacancy on the Commission--
(A) shall not affect the powers of the Commission; and
(B) shall be filled in the same manner as the original
appointment was made.
(d) Voting.--
(1) In general.--The Commission shall act only on an
affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the
Commission.
(2) Quorum.--A majority of the members of the Commission
shall constitute a quorum.
(e) Chairperson and Vice Chairperson.--
(1) Selection.--The Commission shall select a chairperson
and a vice chairperson from among the members of the
Commission.
(2) Absence of chairperson.--The vice chairperson shall act
as chairperson in the absence of the chairperson.
(f) Initial Meeting.--Not later than 60 days after the date
on which all members of the Commission have been appointed
and funds have been provided, the Commission shall hold the
initial meeting of the Commission.
(g) Meetings.--Not less than twice a year, the Commission
shall meet at the call of the chairperson or a majority of
the members of the Commission.
(h) Removal.--Any member who fails to attend 3 successive
meetings of the Commission or who otherwise fails to
participate substantively in the work of the Commission may
be removed by the Secretary and the vacancy shall be filled
in the same manner as the original appointment was made.
Members serve at the discretion of the Secretary.
SEC. 5. DUTIES.
(a) In General.--The Commission shall--
(1) plan, encourage, develop, execute, and coordinate
programs, observances, and activities commemorating the
historic events that preceded and are associated with the War
of 1812;
(2) facilitate the commemoration throughout the United
States and internationally;
(3) coordinate the activities of the Commission with State
commemoration commissions, the National Park Service, the
Department of Defense, and other appropriate Federal
agencies;
(4) encourage civic, patriotic, historical, educational,
religious, economic, tourism, and other organizations
throughout the United States to organize and participate in
the commemoration to expand the understanding and
appreciation of the significance of the War of 1812;
(5) provide technical assistance to States, localities,
units of the National Park System, and nonprofit
organizations to further the commemoration and commemorative
events;
(6) coordinate and facilitate scholarly research on,
publication about, and interpretation of the people and
events associated with the War of 1812;
(7) design, develop, and provide for the maintenance of an
exhibit that will travel throughout the United States during
the commemoration period to interpret events of the War of
1812 for the educational benefit of the citizens of the
United States;
(8) ensure that War of 1812 commemorations provide a
lasting legacy and long-term public benefit leading to
protection of the natural and cultural resources associated
with the War of 1812; and
(9) examine and review essential facilities and
infrastructure at War of 1812 sites and identify possible
improvements that could be made to enhance and maximize
visitor experience at the sites.
(b) Strategic Plan; Annual Performance Plans.--The
Commission shall prepare a strategic plan and annual
performance plans for any activity carried out by the
Commission under this Act.
(c) Reports.--
(1) Annual report.--The Commission shall submit to Congress
an annual report that contains a list of each gift, bequest,
or devise to the Commission with a value of more than $250,
together with the identity of the donor of each gift,
bequest, or devise.
(2) Final report.--Not later than September 30, 2015, the
Commission shall submit to the Secretary and Congress a final
report that includes--
(A) a summary of the activities of the Commission;
(B) a final accounting of any funds received or expended by
the Commission; and
(C) the final disposition of any historically significant
items acquired by the Commission and other properties not
previously reported.
SEC. 6. POWERS.
(a) In General.--The Commission may--
(1) solicit, accept, use, and dispose of gifts or donations
of money, services, and real and personal property related to
the commemoration in accordance with Department of the
Interior and National Park Service written standards for
accepting gifts from outside sources;
(2) appoint such advisory committees as the Commission
determines to be necessary to carry out this Act;
(3) authorize any member or employee of the Commission to
take any action the Commission is authorized to take under
this Act;
(4) use the United States mails in the same manner and
under the same conditions as other agencies of the Federal
Government; and
(5) make grants to communities, nonprofit, commemorative
commissions or organizations, and research and scholarly
organizations to develop programs and products to assist in
researching, publishing, marketing, and distributing
information relating to the commemoration.
(b) Legal Agreements.--
(1) In general.--In carrying out this Act, the Commission
may--
(A) procure supplies, services, and property; and
(B) make or enter into contracts, leases, or other legal
agreements.
(2) Length.--Any contract, lease, or other legal agreement
made or entered into by the Commission shall not extend
beyond the date of termination of the Commission.
(c) Information From Federal Agencies.--
(1) In general.--The Commission may secure directly from a
Federal agency such information as the Commission considers
necessary to carry out this Act.
(2) Provision of information.--On request of the
Chairperson of the Commission, the head of the agency shall
provide the information to the Commission in accordance with
applicable laws.
(d) FACA Nonapplicability.--Section 14(b) of the Federal
Advisory Committees Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to
the Commission.
(e) No Effect on Authority.--Nothing in this Act supersedes
the authority of the States or the National Park Service
concerning the commemoration.
SEC. 7. PERSONNEL MATTERS.
(a) Members of the Commission.--
(1) In general.--Except as provided in subsection
(c)(1)(A), a member of the Commission shall serve without
compensation.
(2) Travel expenses.--A member of the Commission shall be
allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of
subsistence, at rates authorized for an employee of an agency
under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States
Code, while away from the home or regular place of business
of the member in the performance of the duties of the
Commission.
(3) Status.--A member of the Commission, who is not
otherwise a Federal employee, shall be considered a Federal
employee only for purposes of the provisions of law related
to ethics, conflicts of interest, corruption, and any other
criminal or civil statute or regulation governing the conduct
of Federal employees.
(b) Executive Director and Other Staff.--
(1) In general.--The Chairperson of the Commission may,
without regard to the provisions of title 5, United States
Code, governing appointments in the competitive service and
termination of employees (including regulations), appoint and
terminate an executive director, subject to confirmation by
the Commission, and appoint and terminate such other
additional personnel as are necessary to enable the
Commission to perform the duties of the Commission.
(2) Status.--The Executive Director and other staff
appointed under this subsection shall be considered Federal
employees under section 2105 of title 5, United States Code,
notwithstanding the requirements of such section.
[[Page H10715]]
(3) Confirmation of executive director.--The employment of
an executive director shall be subject to confirmation by the
Commission.
(4) Compensation.--
(A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph (B),
the Chairperson of the Commission may fix the compensation of
the executive director and other personnel without regard to
the provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53
of title 5, United States Code, relating to classification of
positions and General Schedule pay rates.
(B) Maximum rate of pay.--The rate of basic pay for the
executive director and other personnel shall not exceed the
rate payable for level V of the Executive Schedule under
section 5316 of title 5, United States Code.
(c) Government Employees.--
(1) Federal employees.--
(A) Service on commission.--A member of the Commission who
is an officer or employee of the Federal Government shall
serve without compensation in addition to the compensation
received for the services of the member as an officer or
employee of the Federal Government.
(B) Detail.--At the request of the Commission, the head of
any Federal agency may detail, on a reimbursable or
nonreimbursable basis, any of the personnel of the agency to
the Commission to assist the Commission in carrying out the
duties of the Commission under this Act.
(C) Civil service status.--Notwithstanding any other
provisions in this section, Federal employees who serve on
the Commission, are detailed to the Commission, or otherwise
provide services under the Act, shall continue to be Federal
employees for the purpose of any law specific to Federal
employees, without interruption or loss of civil service
status or privilege.
(2) State employees.--The Commission may--
(A) accept the services of personnel detailed from States
(including subdivisions of States) under subchapter VI of
chapter 33 of title 5, United States Code; and
(B) reimburse States for services of detailed personnel.
(d) Members of Advisory Committees.--Members of advisory
committees appointed under section 6(a)(2)--
(1) shall not be considered employees of the Federal
Government by reason of service on the committees for the
purpose of any law specific to Federal employees, except for
the purposes of chapter 11 of title 18, United States Code,
relating to conflicts of interest; and
(2) may be paid travel expenses, including per diem in lieu
of subsistence, at rates authorized for an employee of an
agency under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United
States Code, while away from the home or regular place of
business of the member in the performance of the duties of
the committee.
(e) Volunteer and Uncompensated Services.--Notwithstanding
section 1342 of title 31, United States Code, the Commission
may accept and use such voluntary and uncompensated services
as the Commission determines necessary.
(f) Support Services.--The Director of the National Park
Service shall provide to the Commission, on a reimbursable
basis, such administrative support services as the Commission
may request.
(g) Procurement of Temporary and Intermittent Services.--
The Chairperson of the Commission may employ experts and
consultants on a temporary or intermittent basis in
accordance with section 3109(b) of title 5, United States
Code, at rates for individuals that do not exceed the daily
equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay prescribed for
level V of the Executive Schedule under section 5316 of that
title. Such personnel shall be considered Federal employees
under section 2105 of title 5, United States Code,
notwithstanding the requirements of such section.
SEC. 8. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
(a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated to
carry out this Act not to exceed $500,000 for each of fiscal
years 2008 through 2015.
(b) Availability of Funds.--Amounts appropriated under this
section for any fiscal year shall remain available until
December 31, 2015.
SEC. 9. TERMINATION OF COMMISSION.
(a) In General.--The Commission shall terminate on December
31, 2015.
(b) Transfer of Materials.--Not later than the date of
termination, the Commission shall transfer any documents,
materials, books, manuscripts, miscellaneous printed matter,
memorabilia, relics, exhibits, and any materials donated to
the Commission that relate to the War of 1812, to Fort
McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine.
(c) Disposition of Funds.--Any funds held by the Commission
on the date of termination shall be deposited in the general
fund of the Treasury.
(d) Annual Audit.--The Inspector General of the Department
of the Interior shall perform an annual audit of the
Commission, shall make the results of the audit available to
the public, and shall transmit such results to the Committee
on Oversight and Government Reform in the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Judiciary in the Senate.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Illinois (Mr. Davis) and the gentlewoman from Illinois (Mrs. Biggert)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Illinois.
General Leave
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all
Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their
remarks.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Illinois?
There was no objection.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, as a member of the House Committee on Oversight and
Government Reform, I am pleased to join my colleague in the
consideration of H.R. 1389, a bill to establish the Star-Spangled
Banner and War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission.
H.R. 1389 was introduced by Representative John Sarbanes on March 7,
2007. This legislation was reported from the Oversight and Government
Reform Committee on July 19, 2007, by voice vote.
Mr. Speaker, the War of 1812 was fought between the United States and
Great Britain from June 1812 to the spring of 1815. During this time, a
young lawyer by the name of Francis Scott Key witnessed the last
assault by the British against Fort McHenry in Baltimore. He was so
inspired by the fort's still standing with its huge flag flying in the
breeze of victory that Mr. Key wrote a poem celebrating this battle and
the flag. He composed the lines about our great flag, the Star-Spangled
Banner, which later became our country's national anthem.
I support H.R. 1389, a bill that will establish the Star-Spangled
Banner and War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission to encourage, plan and
execute programs commemorating the historic events that are associated
with the War of 1812.
{time} 1515
Mr. Speaker, I would commend Representative Sarbanes for introducing
this legislation.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1389, the Star-Spangled
Banner and War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission Act. The commission
established by this legislation would be responsible for developing
programs, observations, and activities commemorating the historic
events associated with the War of 1812. The commission would also
enhance the visitor experience at the War of 1812 sites and facilitate
scholarly research on the people and events associated with the War of
1812. This legislation would provide for appropriate commemorative
activities to increase public understanding, particularly that of young
people, of the meaning of the War of 1812 and the history of the United
States.
There is much to be learned about the effect of the War of 1812 on
American history, including the victories at Fort McHenry, New Orleans
and Plattsburg. As one example, it is often overlooked or even
forgotten that Francis Scott Key wrote the Star-Spangled Banner during
the War of 1812.
The commission is intending to raise public awareness through
observations that will bring this important chapter in American history
to thousands of visitors. I urge support of this bill.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield such
time as he might consume to the author of this legislation, the
gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Sarbanes).
Mr. SARBANES. I want to thank Chairman Davis for yielding me time.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1389, the Star-Spangled
Banner and War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission Act, which I had the
privilege of introducing. This legislation would empower a commission
to plan and coordinate what I believe is going to be one of the most
spectacular and memorable commemorations in recent history in this
country, and that is the bicentennial celebration of the War of 1812
and the Francis Scott Key poem written during the British bombardment
of
[[Page H10716]]
Fort McHenry, Maryland, which later became the Star-Spangled Banner,
our national anthem.
The Park Service recommended the creation of such a commission in a
2004 study. Its membership would be drawn from citizens from
historically significant States, from National Park Service officials,
historical experts, and other individuals selected by congressional
leadership.
Because we are fast approaching the bicentennial of the War of 1812,
I am pleased the House has taken up this legislation. I hope that the
Senate will do so as well and the measure can be signed into law in the
near future.
Mr. Speaker, many refer to the War of 1812 as the ``second war of
independence.'' When the war began, our fragile experiment in democracy
was still in its early stages, and the Nation found itself under attack
from one of the most powerful countries in the world. Many wondered
whether a democracy could hold together through the trials of war. The
War of 1812 proved that it could, and set the stage for the spread of
democracy around the world.
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Chairman Waxman and Chairman Davis for
bringing this measure to the floor. I hope all of my colleagues will
support the bill, which will help ensure a fitting celebration of the
War of 1812 and the Star-Spangled Banner bicentennial.
Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the
distinguished gentleman from Texas (Mr. Poe).
Mr. POE. I thank the gentlewoman for yielding, and I thank Mr.
Sarbanes for introducing this very important legislation.
Mr. Speaker, it is imperative for all Americans to know our early
American history. Soon after the War of Independence and American
independence, the new struggling United States had to go to war again
with England to keep its independence.
Sometimes the War of 1812 is referred to as the forgotten war in
American history. It is referred to as the ``second American War of
Independence.'' Be that as it may, we went to war with England a second
time because the British kidnapped American sailors on the high seas
and made them involuntary servants in the British Navy.
When the British invaded the United States during the War of 1812,
they burned this city, Washington. They used Thomas Jefferson's books
to burn this Capitol. They burned the White House. The President had to
flee in the darkness of a torrential rainstorm. The United States
future looked bleak.
So after capturing Washington, DC, the British headed north to finish
the United States off in Baltimore. During a heated sea battle, the
British bombarded Fort McHenry, defending the harbor of Baltimore. But
the fort commander stood defiant, refused to surrender, and hoisted a
massive American flag over the fort.
Mr. Speaker, this is no small flag. It is 30 feet by 42 feet in size.
Such a flag could be seen for miles and miles away from Fort McHenry.
An American lawyer named Francis Scott Key was onboard a British ship
during the battle. He was there seeking the release of an American
captive. After watching the night battle and seeing the glorious U.S.
flag at sunrise, he wrote a poem, later turned into a song called the
Star-Spangled Banner to honor this American victory.
This national anthem of ours is played at sports games and ceremonies
and events across the Nation every day. In fact, I think the first time
it was played at a sporting event was at a Chicago White Sox game in
the early 1900s. Chairman Davis could correct me if that is incorrect.
Mr. Speaker, it is important that Americans understand what the
anthem stands for and why it was written. I totally support H.R. 1389.
This bill will create a commission to plan activities, programs and
observances of history events surrounding this War of 1812. I am proud
of how the United States as a new democracy developed into a great
Nation during this time. This war and Francis Scott Key should be
celebrated and honored and recognized.
By the way, Mr. Speaker, the British left the United States
permanently after the battle of Fort McHenry and after Andrew Jackson
and his boys defeated the British at the Battle of New Orleans.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve my time.
Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, it is my understanding that the majority
has offered an amendment that I think improves this bill. I support the
amendment and would encourage others to join me in supporting H.R.
1389, establishing the Star-Spangled and War of 1812 Bicentennial
Commission.
I applaud the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Sarbanes) for his
introduction of this bill, and I would urge passage.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I support H.R. 1389, as amended,
and I want to commend the gentleman from Maryland for introducing this
legislation and for bringing to our attention the importance of the War
of 1812, the importance of our Star-Spangled Banner.
I also take this opportunity to commend my elementary school
teachers, especially Mrs. Beadie King, who taught in a one-room school,
who was so good that she could teach about the Star-Spangled Banner and
you could feel shivers kind of going up and down your back. I am so
pleased that I can still at times feel those and recognize perhaps what
Francis Scott Key may have been thinking and what he may have been
feeling when he looked up and saw that the flag was still standing.
So I thank the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Sarbanes) again for
introducing this legislation and urge its passage.
Mr. McHUGH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 1389,
the Star-Spangled Banner and War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission Act. I
am proud to be an original cosponsor of this legislation, which is of
great importance to my constituents in Northern New York. Thus, I
greatly appreciate the work the Gentleman from Maryland, Mr. Sarbanes,
the Gentleman from California, Mr. Waxman, and the Gentleman from
Virginia, Mr. Davis, have done to bring H.R. 1389 to the House floor.
I represent New York's 23rd Congressional District, which encompasses
most of Northern New York. From Lake Champlain in the east, my District
runs along the St. Lawrence River and our nation's Northern border to
Lake Ontario in the west. The District encompasses territory that
played an important role in our nation's early history; much of it was
literally on the front lines of the War of 1812.
During the War of 1812, my District was not only the site of
skirmishes but also the significant Battles of Plattsburgh and Sackets
Harbor. In fact, 193 years ago on September 11, 1814, Commodore Thomas
McDonough repulsed a British invasion led by Sir George Provost at
Plattsburgh Bay on Lake Champlain. McDonough's victory was significant
because it ended a grave threat and gave impetus to then-ongoing peace
negotiations. Likewise, but earlier during the war and on the other
side of the District, Brigadier General Jacob Brown stopped a British
invasion led by Sir George Provost and Commodore James Yeo at Sackets
Harbor. Of note, Sackets Harbor was the United States' main
shipbuilding naval base on Lake Ontario.
In addition to providing a mechanism to properly remember and honor
these and other significant events in our nation's history, H.R. 1389
is also important to my constituents because of its potential to help
increase tourism. Tourism is an important component of the economy in
New York's 23rd District and is a cornerstone of efforts to further
much-needed economic development. Accordingly, I ask my colleagues to
vote for H.R. 1389 today and I look forward to working further to enact
this legislation.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of our
time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, H.R. 1389, 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.
____________________