[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 82 (Monday, May 19, 2008)]
[House]
[Pages H4068-H4069]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
CELEBRATING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MACKINAC ISLAND STATE PARK
COMMISSION'S HISTORICAL PRESERVATION AND MUSEUM PROGRAM
Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to
the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 325) celebrating the 50th
Anniversary of the Mackinac Island State Park Commission's Historical
Preservation and Museum Program, which began on June 15, 1958, and for
other purposes.
The Clerk read the title of the concurrent resolution.
The text of the concurrent resolution is as follows:
H. Con. Res. 325
Whereas the Mackinac Island State Park Commission was
created, in 1895, to care for and manage Mackinac Island
State Park;
Whereas Michilimackinac State Park and Mill Creek State
Park were later added to the family of parks and historic
sites under the authority of the Commission;
Whereas, in 1958, Michigan granted authority to the
Commission to restore and interpret Fort Mackinac and other
historical properties at the Straits of Mackinac;
Whereas, in 1958, the Commission began restoration,
installed exhibits, and opened Fort Mackinac to the public;
Whereas, in 1959, the Commission began archaeological
excavation of Colonial Michilimackinac and opened it to the
public one year later;
Whereas, in 1984, the Commission opened Historic Mill Creek
Discovery Park;
Whereas, in 2004, after 14 years of being closed, Old
Mackinac Point Lighthouse was reopened with an ongoing
restoration program;
Whereas, for 50 years, the Commission has professionally
and successfully developed, promoted, and improved the
Mackinac State Historic Parks complex, which has been
continuously recognized by the American Association of
Museums; and
Whereas the Mackinac State Historic Parks complex has
hosted more than 10,000,000 visitors since 1958, making it
one of the most successful historic site complexes in North
America and an important contributor to the tourism economy
of northern Michigan: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring), That Congress--
(1) celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Mackinac Island
State Park Commission's Historical Preservation and Museum
Program; and
(2) respectfully requests the Clerk of the House of
Representatives to transmit an enrolled copy of this
resolution to the Mackinac Island State Park Commission as
evidence of the Commission successfully fulfilling its
mission to protect, preserve, and present the historical and
natural wonders of Mackinac Island.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from
Guam (Ms. Bordallo) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Issa) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Guam.
General Leave
Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and
include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentlewoman from Guam?
There was no objection.
Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
House Concurrent Resolution 325, introduced by our colleague,
Representative Bart Stupak, celebrates the 50th anniversary of the
Mackinac Island State Park Commission's Historical Preservation and
Museum Program.
Mackinac Island was originally named our Nation's second national
park in 1875. But it was turned over to the State of Michigan in 1895
when it became Michigan's first State park, and the Mackinac Island
State Park Commission was created to care for and manage the park.
Eighty percent of the island is still managed as a State park to
preserve its geological wonders, wildlife, and wooded areas.
In 1958 Michigan granted authority to the commission to restore and
interpret historical properties in the park. And so today we are
celebrating the 50th anniversary of those efforts.
Our colleague Mr. Stupak is to be commended for his efforts on this
measure.
Mr. Speaker, I support House Concurrent Resolution 325, and I urge
its adoption today.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I rise in support of this resolution and commend the gentleman from
Michigan for offering this resolution that recognizes the 50th
anniversary of the Mackinac Island State Park Commission's Historical
Preservation and Museum Program.
It is very clear that in America we do care about our natural
resources, our natural beauty, and we find ways to show that. In the
case of Michigan, this recognizes 50 years of, in fact, applauding and
preserving the kinds of beauty that exist, I won't say only in
Michigan, as a native Ohioan, but throughout the Midwest.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
[[Page H4069]]
Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I again urge Members to support this
resolution, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentlewoman from Guam (Ms. Bordallo) that the House suspend the rules
and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 325.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a
quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not
present.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be
postponed.
The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.
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