[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 71 (Thursday, May 1, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E788]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               CONSOLIDATED NATURAL RESOURCES ACT OF 2008

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 29, 2008

  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support 
of S. 2739, the Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008. This 
omnibus bill contains many essential elements that reinforce the 
infrastructure of our Nation's historical and natural treasures. Out of 
the several important pieces of legislation, I would like to emphasize 
the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Reauthorization 
Act of 2007, which my friend Representative Castle and I introduced and 
led to passage in the House last year.
  I would like to once again thank Chairman Rahall and Subcommittee 
Chairman Grijalva for their support of H.R. 1239 when it passed the 
House and commend them for bringing this omnibus legislation to the 
floor today. Additionally, I thank Senator Biden for his leadership in 
introducing the companion to H.R. 1239 and the National Parks 
Conservation Association for their tireless work for the Network to 
Freedom and other national park initiatives.
  Mr. Speaker, the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom is 
the only national program dedicated to the preservation, 
interpretation, and dissemination of Underground Railroad history 
included in this legislation. It appropriately adjusts authorization 
levels for the Network to Freedom to reflect the growth of interest 
nationally and the resulting expansion of opportunities.
  The Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008 is part of a concerted 
movement to overcome the funding challenges that threaten all national 
parks. In doing so, this legislation appropriately empowers the Network 
to Freedom by moderately expanding their operating funds and 
establishing appropriate oversight for grant funds.
  If not for the plethora of other reasons to support the overarching 
legislation, I urge my colleagues to vote for S. 2739 because it truly 
demonstrates that African-American history is synonymous with American 
history. This legislation preserves the Underground Railroad Network to 
Freedom so that future generations will have a chance to learn about 
our history not only in a book, but with their own eyes.

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