[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 150 (Monday, September 22, 2008)]
[House]
[Pages H8496-H8497]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              FORT DAVIS NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE EXPANSION

  Ms. BORDALLO. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 6176) to authorize the expansion of the Fort Davis National 
Historic Site in Fort Davis, Texas, and for other purposes.

[[Page H8497]]

  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 6176

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. INCREASED ACREAGE OF THE FORT DAVIS NATIONAL 
                   HISTORIC SITE.

       Public Law 87-213 (16 U.S.C. 461 note) is amended as 
     follows:
       (1) In the first section--
       (A) by striking ``the Secretary of the Interior'' and 
     inserting ``(a) The Secretary of the Interior'';
       (B) by striking ``476 acres'' and inserting ``646 acres''; 
     and
       (C) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(b) The Secretary may acquire from willing sellers land 
     comprising approximately 55 acres, as depicted on the map 
     titled `Fort Davis Proposed Boundary Expansion', numbered 
     418/80,045, and dated April 2008. The map shall be on file 
     and available for public inspection in the appropriate 
     offices of the National Park Service. Upon acquisition of the 
     land, the land shall be incorporated into the Fort Davis 
     National Historic Site.''.
       (2) By repealing section 3.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
Guam (Ms. Bordallo) and the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young) each will 
control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Guam.


                             General Leave

  Ms. BORDALLO. Madam 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. Madam Speaker, H.R. 6176 was introduced by our 
colleague from Texas, Representative Ciro Rodriguez. The bill increases 
the acreage ceiling for the Fort Davis National Historic Site in west 
Texas and authorizes the National Park Service to acquire from willing 
sellers approximately 55 acres adjacent to the park.
  Fort Davis National Historic Site, authorized in 1961, is regarded as 
one of the best preserved forts in the American Southwest. The fort was 
strategically located to protect emigrants, mail coaches, and freight 
wagons traveling through the Southwest. The fort is also known because 
the famed all-black ``Buffalo Soldier'' regiments established after the 
Civil War were stationed there.
  The bill would expand the boundary of the park to encompass some 
already completed acquisitions and to permit the acquisition of three 
parcels that total approximately 55 acres on the southwestern boundary 
of the park.
  Madam Speaker, Congressman Rodriguez is to be commended for his 
tireless efforts on behalf of this legislation, and I would also note 
the administration supports this bill.
  I urge my colleagues to support passage of this measure.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  I believe the bill has been explained very well, and I do support the 
bill.
  Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Madam Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I stand 
here today in support of H.R. 6176, legislation to authorize the 
expansion of Fort Davis National Historic Site in Fort Davis, Texas. I 
would like to thank my good friends Chairman Grijalva and Chairman 
Rahall for their support of this legislation.
  Fort Davis Historic Site is considered by many to be one of the most 
well preserved forts in the Southwest. This fort has historical and 
cultural importance to the communities of West Texas and it is our job 
to protect and preserve this piece of our Nation's history. In the 
1800s the District I represent today was scattered with U.S. Army forts 
designed to protect travelers and settlers along the western trade 
routes from San Antonio to El Paso. The oldest and most preserved of 
these forts is Fort Davis, now a National Historic Site.
  This legislation authorizes the National Park Service to acquire a 
prominent bluff on the western view shed of the site. It is the desire 
of the community of Fort Davis and the surrounding region that the Fort 
Davis Historic Site acquire the prominent bluff so that landscape of 
the Fort Davis Historic Site can remain the same as it was in the 19th 
century.
  Fortunately a strong community movement led to the purchase of the 
land by a conservationist, who, in conjunction with the Conservation 
Fund, hopes to sell or donate the land to the National Park Service.
  The bluff that the legislation aims to protect is vital to the 
experience of the visitors to the Fort Davis National Historic Site as 
well as the surrounding community of Fort Davis. It is my hope that 
this legislation will provide protection for this important historic 
site and will allow the park to continue to serve as an example of a 
typical western military fort from the 1800s.
  Thank you for bringing this piece of legislation to the House floor 
for the communities of West Texas. I strongly urge my colleagues to 
vote in favor of H.R. 6176, legislation to protect Fort Davis and this 
important piece of West Texas history.
  Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. I have no other speakers, and I yield back my 
time.
  Ms. BORDALLO. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this 
piece of legislation, and I yield back.
  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. 6176.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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