[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 100 (Tuesday, June 17, 2008)]
[House]
[Page H5421]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      MONTANA CEMETERY ACT OF 2008

  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 3702) to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to convey 
certain land in the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, Montana, to 
Jefferson County, Montana, for use as a cemetery, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 3702

       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 ``Montana Cemetery Act of 
     2008''.

     SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

       In this Act:
       (1) County.--The term ``County'' means Jefferson County, 
     Montana.
       (2) Map.--The term ``map'' means the map that is--
       (A) entitled ``Elkhorn Cemetery'';
       (B) dated May 9, 2005; and
       (C) on file in the office of the Beaverhead-Deerlodge 
     National Forest Supervisor.
       (3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of Agriculture.

     SEC. 3. CONVEYANCE TO JEFFERSON COUNTY, MONTANA.

       (a) Conveyance.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
     enactment of this Act and subject to valid existing rights, 
     the Secretary (acting through the Regional Forester, Northern 
     Region, Missoula, Montana) shall convey by quitclaim deed to 
     the County for no consideration, all right, title, and 
     interest of the United States, except as provided in 
     subsection (e), in and to the parcel of land described in 
     subsection (b).
       (b) Description of Land.--The parcel of land referred to in 
     subsection (a) is the parcel of approximately 9.67 acres of 
     National Forest System land (including any improvements to 
     the land) in the County that is known as the ``Elkhorn 
     Cemetery'', as generally depicted on the map.
       (c) Use of Land.--As a condition of the conveyance under 
     subsection (a), the County shall--
       (1) use the land described in subsection (b) as a County 
     cemetery; and
       (2) agree to manage the cemetery with due consideration and 
     protection for the historic and cultural values of the 
     cemetery, under such terms and conditions as are agreed to by 
     the Secretary and the County.
       (d) Easement.--In conveying the land to the County under 
     subsection (a), the Secretary, in accordance with applicable 
     law, shall grant to the County an easement across certain 
     National Forest System land, as generally depicted on the 
     map, to provide access to the land conveyed under that 
     subsection.
       (e) Reversion.--In the quitclaim deed to the County, the 
     Secretary shall provide that the land conveyed to the County 
     under subsection (a) shall revert to the Secretary, at the 
     election of the Secretary, if the land is--
       (1) used for a purpose other than the purposes described in 
     subsection (c)(1); or
       (2) managed by the County in a manner that is inconsistent 
     with subsection (c)(2).

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
Guam (Ms. Bordallo) and the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Bishop) 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 in which to revise and extend their remarks 
and include extraneous material on the bill 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.
  H.R. 3702 requires the Secretary of Agriculture to convey 
approximately 9.67 acres of land in the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National 
Forest, Montana, to Jefferson County, MT for use as a cemetery. The 
parcel to be conveyed to Jefferson County is currently being used for 
these same purposes, and is known as ``Elkhorn Cemetery.'' The 
conveyance will provide land to accommodate all known grave sites and 
any additional sites that may be outside of the concentration of known 
graves.
  The bill also provides for the continued protection of the historic 
and cultural values associated with the property.
  Mr. Speaker, we have no objections, and it is time to put this bill 
to rest.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  The gentlelady from Guam has adequately explained this bill. I'd like 
to commend congressman Denny Rehberg and his staff for their diligence 
in this particular bill; grateful for all for allowing the conveyance 
of this 10 acres of excess Forest Service land to the community of 
Jefferson County, MT to be used as their cemetery.
  I join the gentlelady from Guam in saying that I am glad that we can 
finally put this issue to rest in peace.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I again urge Members to support the bill, 
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 pass the bill, H.R. 3702, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  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.

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