[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 130 (Friday, August 1, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Pages S8045-S8046]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Ms. LANDRIEU:
  S. 3447. A bill to reprogram $15,000,000 in savings in the Jackson 
Barracks military construction to the Department of the Interior for 
the Historic Preservation Fund of the National Park Service for the 
purpose of restoring Jackson Barracks to its pre-Hurricane Katrina 
status as a national historic treasure; to the Committee on Energy and 
Natural Resources.
  Ms. LANDRIEU. Mr. President, I introduce this bill today to restore 
historic Jackson Barracks in New Orleans to its pre-Hurricane Katrina 
status as a national historic treasure. Jackson Barracks represents the 
rich military history of New Orleans, and indeed our great State. 
However, the rebuilding of the structures on this significant garrison 
has been hindered by bureaucratic roadblocks and gaps in funding. This 
bill directly addresses those challenges.
  As you know, Hurricane Katrina brought torrential floods and driving

[[Page S8046]]

winds to New Orleans and the surrounding region. The devastation from 
the storm touched every structure at Jackson Barracks. The original 
Jackson Barracks consists of 14 Antebellum Garrison Structures built 
between 1834 and 1835. These historic buildings were not spared and 
suffered tremendous damage.
  There is a pressing need to complete the restoration and renovation 
of the barracks. Jackson Barracks requires additional renovations and 
restorations that are not within the scope of the Federal Emergency 
Management Agency hurricane restoration funding. With the agreement of 
the Chief, National Guard Bureau and the Secretary of the Interior, 
this bill would reprogram the savings from several military 
construction projects elsewhere on Jackson Barracks to assist in the 
completion of historic preservation at the post.
  I ask the support of my colleagues in enabling the National Park 
Service to aid in the restoration of Jackson Barracks through the 
Historic Preservation Fund. I am not asking for additional dollars, but 
rather that the money that was saved on previous projects be 
recommitted and used for this vital need.
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