[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 30 (Monday, February 25, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E221]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      H.R. 1528: NEW ENGLAND NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL DESIGNATION ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. NANCY E. BOYDA

                               of kansas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, February 25, 2008

  Mrs. BOYDA of Kansas. Madam Speaker, we heard a lot of debate 
recently that focused on the threat of passing the New England National 
Scenic Trail Designation Act. The other side of the aisle attacked the 
bill with the proclamation that private property owners would have 
their land seized by the Federal government. This clearly wasn't the 
case. As stated before, the bill only allowed the National Park Service 
to purchase land from willing sellers. But in the spirit of that 
debate, I'd like to take a moment and discuss eminent domain.
  I know that myself, the constituents of the Second District of 
Kansas, nearly every American has the same feelings towards eminent 
domain. No one wants a federal official knocking on their door asking 
for their keys and telling them to ``pack up and move.'' Our founding 
fathers created this country to throw off such tyrannical uses of power 
by the Government, and we must continue that legacy today.
  State, local and Federal Government has a duty to its citizens to 
preserve their right to private property and use eminent domain only in 
the rarest of circumstances when it is absolutely necessary. Those 
occasions should be few and far in between. And in every circumstance, 
the Government must look at all options and alternatives to seizing 
someone's home, business and livelihood. We must ensure proper 
compensation to private property owners, and not force our citizens 
into untenable situations.
  What was truly upsetting about our debate was the other side of the 
aisle throwing out this term, getting the American people in an uproar, 
with no factual basis that eminent domain would be used. It would seem 
that the Minority's only goal is to further divide this country and 
make the passage of legislation impossible. We have seen this time and 
time again. The Minority would rather sit in their corner making 
baseless attacks against good legislation when they should be 
fulfilling their constitutional role as Representatives, as leaders, 
and work with my colleagues to do what is best for the country.
  I was pleased to see both sides coming together to quickly pass an 
important economic stimulus package, but more cooperation is needed for 
children's health insurance, the Farm Bill and this year's upcoming 
appropriation process. I hope in this new session we see more of what 
we saw during the passage of the economic stimulus bill, and not a 
return to the same old politics that plagued our Chamber last year.

                          ____________________