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




       MINUTE MAN NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK BOUNDARY REVISION ACT

  Ms. BORDALLO. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 5853) to expand the boundary of the Minute Man National 
Historical Park in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to include 
Barrett's Farm, and for other purposes.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 5853

       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 ``Minute Man National 
     Historical Park Boundary Revision Act''.

     SEC. 2. MINUTE MAN NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK BOUNDARY 
                   REVISION.

       (a) In General.--The boundary of the Minute Man National 
     Historical Park is modified to include the area as generally 
     depicted on the map titled ``Minute Man National Historical 
     Park Proposed Boundary'', numbered 406/81001, and dated July 
     2007. The map shall be on file and available for inspection 
     in the appropriate offices of the National Park Service, 
     Department of the Interior.
       (b) Acquisition of Lands.--The Secretary of the Interior 
     may acquire land or interest in land with the area described 
     in subsection (a), by purchase from willing sellers with 
     donated or appropriated funds, by donation, or by exchange.
       (c) Administration of Lands.--Lands added to the park under 
     this section shall be administered by the Secretary of the 
     Interior as part of the Minute Man National Historical Park 
     in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

  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. 5853, the Minute Man National 
Historical Park Boundary Revision Act, was introduced by our colleague 
from Massachusetts, the honorable Congresswoman Tsongas. This bill 
would modify the boundary of the Minute Man National Historical Park in 
Massachusetts to include the historic site of Barrett's Farm.
  Colonel James Barrett was a leading Revolutionary War patriot and 
military figure, and his farm in Concord played a significant role in 
the events leading up to the opening battles of the Revolutionary War 
at Lexington and Concord in April 1775.
  A 2007 study from the National Park Service concluded that the 
boundary adjustment was important to ensure the protection of these 
nationally significant resources and values. And this bill enjoys 
extensive public support, as well as the support of the entire 
Massachusetts congressional delegation.
  I thank Representative Tsongas for her leadership on this 
legislation, and I ask 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.
  H.R. 5853 has been adequately explained by the Democrat bill manager, 
and we have no objections to the legislation.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. BORDALLO. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to 
the gentlelady from Massachusetts, Congresswoman Tsongas, the sponsor 
of the bill.
  Ms. TSONGAS. Madam Speaker, I am very pleased to be speaking on 
behalf of H.R. 5853, the Minute Man National Historical Park Act, which 
extends the boundary of the Minute Man National Park located in 
Concord, Massachusetts, to include historic Barrett's Farm.
  This bill is a simple, noncontroversial boundary adjustment of 67 
acres to the current national park and enjoys the support of the 
National Park Service and Save Our Heritage, the nonprofit organization 
which currently owns Barrett's Farm.
  It may seem like small change, but the preservation of such a 
significant site is monumentally important to the history of this 
country.
  Barrett's Farm is the former home of Colonel James Barrett, the 
commander of the Middlesex militia during the Revolutionary War. It was 
also used to store the militia's munitions in the weeks preceding the 
Battle of Concord and Lexington.
  On April 19, 1775, General Thomas Gage, the commander of all British 
forces in North America, ordered 700 of his troops to march to 
Barrett's Farm and destroy these supplies. Our colonial militia learned 
of the British plot in advance, and Paul Revere made his famous ride, 
calling his fellow countrymen to arms.
  By the time the British reached Barrett's Farm, the colonial 
militia's guns were safely hidden, and Colonel Barrett had 
strategically positioned the militia to strike the British Army. 
Barrett's militia confronted British soldiers at the North Bridge in 
Concord, where the infamous ``shot heard 'round the world'' was fired, 
launching our war for independence.
  Through the hard work and ongoing efforts of the nonprofit group, 
Save Our Heritage, Barrett's Farm has been kept in excellent condition. 
Private donations throughout the years have been used for its upkeep 
and restoration. Our country is indebted to these committed people for 
preserving this national historical treasure.
  But it is time for this important location to be part of the larger 
Minute Man National Park so that the considerable resources and 
expertise of the National Park Service can be put towards the 
restoration and permanent preservation of this remarkable piece of 
Massachusetts' rich revolutionary history.
  It will also enable park visitors to have a more complete 
understanding of how and where our American Revolution began.
  I urge the House to pass this bill to protect Colonel James Barrett's 
Farm so that current and future generations can learn about the role 
this site played in the birth of our Nation.
  I want to thank Chairman Rahall and Chairman Grijalva for their 
leadership on this bill, and I would also like to thank all the 
cosponsors of this bill for their support.
  I urge my colleagues today to vote for this important piece of 
legislation.
  Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Madam Speaker, we have no other requests for 
speakers, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. BORDALLO. Madam 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. 5853.
  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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