[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 128 (Wednesday, September 22, 2010)]
[House]
[Page H6828]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




KENNESAW MOUNTAIN NATIONAL BATTLEFIELD PARK BOUNDARY ADJUSTMENT ACT OF 
                                  2010

  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass 
the bill (H.R. 5152) to adjust the boundary of the Kennesaw Mountain 
National Battlefield Park to include the Wallis House and Harriston 
Hill, and for other purposes.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 5152

       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 ``Kennesaw Mountain National 
     Battlefield Park Boundary Adjustment Act of 2010''.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

       The Congress finds the following:
       (1) Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park was 
     authorized as a unit of the National Park System on June 26, 
     1935. Prior to 1935, parts of the park had been acquired and 
     protected by Civil War veterans and the War Department.
       (2) Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park protects 
     Kennesaw Mountain and Kolb's Farm, which are battle sites 
     along the route of General Sherman's 1864 campaign to take 
     Atlanta.
       (3) Most of the park protects Confederate positions and 
     strategy. The Wallis House is one of the few original 
     structures remaining from the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain 
     associated with Union positions and strategy.
       (4) The Wallis House is strategically located next to a 
     Union signal station at Harriston Hill.

     SEC. 3. BOUNDARY ADJUSTMENT; LAND ACQUISITION; 
                   ADMINISTRATION.

       (a) Boundary Adjustment.--The boundary of the Kennesaw 
     Mountain National Battlefield Park is modified to include the 
     approximately 8 acres identified as ``Wallis House and 
     Harriston Hill'', and generally depicted on the map titled 
     ``Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park, Proposed 
     Boundary Adjustment'', numbered 325/80,020, and dated 
     February 2010.
       (b) Map.--The map referred to in subsection (a) shall be on 
     file and available for inspection in the appropriate offices 
     of the National Park Service.
       (c) Land Acquisition.--The Secretary of the Interior is 
     authorized to acquire, from willing owners only, land or 
     interests in land described in subsection (a) by donation or 
     exchange.
       (d) Administration of Acquired Lands.--The Secretary of the 
     Interior shall administer land and interests in land acquired 
     under this section as part of the Kennesaw Mountain National 
     Battlefield Park in accordance with applicable laws and 
     regulations.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
the Virgin Islands (Mrs. Christensen) and the gentleman from Washington 
(Mr. Hastings) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands.


                             General Leave

  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend 
their remarks and add any extraneous material on the bill under 
consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands?
  There was no objection.
  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  H.R. 5152 was introduced by Representative Gingrey of Georgia. The 
bill would adjust the boundaries of the Kennesaw Mountain National 
Battlefield Park to include two additional historic sites associated 
with that battle.
  Pursuant to the legislation, Cobb County would donate the properties 
to the National Park Service. This bill has the full support of the 
National Park Service and current property owners.
  Mr. Speaker, we do not oppose H.R. 5152.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as 
I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park was 
authorized as a unit of the National Park System in 1935 as one of the 
first battlefield parks. Most of the park consists of Confederate 
positions. This bill will allow the Wallis House, one of the few 
remaining structures associated with Union forces, to be added to the 
park.
  This bill authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to acquire 
approximately 8 acres that are owned by Cobb County and will be donated 
to the National Park Service. Congressman Gingrey should be commended 
for his work on this bipartisan bill.
  Mr. GINGREY of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 
5152, the Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park Boundary 
Adjustment Act of 2010. As the author of this legislation, I appreciate 
the work of the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Natural Resources 
Committee--Mr. Rahall from West Virginia and Mr. Hastings from 
Washington--for working in a bipartisan manner to bring this bill to 
the House floor today.
  The Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park was first authorized 
as a unit of the National Park System within the National Park Service 
on June 26, 1935. This park preserves the area surrounding the location 
of the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain, which took place in June of 1864. 
This battle was the last major battle of Union General William T. 
Sherman's campaign to capture Atlanta during the Civil War.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 5152 will adjust the boundary of the Kennesaw 
Mountain National Battlefield Park to include approximately 8 acres 
which contain the historic Wallis House and Harriston Hill. The Wallis 
House is one of the few remaining structures from the battle and adds 
significant historical significance to the park. Currently, the park 
focuses on Confederate positions and strategy. With the addition of 
these 8 acres, the park will now include important strategic positions 
of the Union.
  In fact, Union General O.O. Howard used the Wallis House as his 
headquarters during the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain, and General 
Sherman was stationed at the Wallis House during the preceding Battle 
of Kolb's Farm. Additionally, Harriston Hill--which is adjacent to the 
Wallis House--was used as signaling position by General Howard and 
offers a picturesque view of the valley leading to the top of Kennesaw 
Mountain where Confederate troops were positioned.
  Mr. Speaker, adding these 8 acres to the Kennesaw Mountain National 
Battlefield Park would only enhance a visitor's experience at the park 
by providing critical information about the positions of both Union and 
Confederate troops during the battle. Most importantly, adding the 8 
acres to the park will have no cost to the American taxpayers.
  H.R. 5152 only authorizes the National Park Service to acquire the 
land in question from willing landowners by donation or exchange only. 
The 8 acres that will be added to the park has already been purchased 
by Cobb County and the Cobb Land Trust for the purposes of donating it 
to the National Park Service.
  This legislation is the culmination of years of hard work and 
commitment by the National Park Service, the Cobb Land Trust, the 
Georgia Civil War Commission, and the Cobb County Government.
  Specifically, I want to commend the Superintendent of the Kennesaw 
Mountain National Battlefield Park--Stanley Bond--and the park's Chief 
Ranger--Lloyd Morris--for their service to the park and this expansion. 
I also want to thank Cobb County Commissioner Helen Goreham--who 
represents the Park, the Wallis House, and Harriston Hill--for coming 
to Washington to testify on behalf of this legislation before the 
Natural Resources Committee.
  Mr. Speaker, as a long time resident of Cobb County, I can personally 
attest to the historical significance and beauty of the Kennesaw 
Mountain National Battlefield Park. This park--which is second only to 
Gettysburg National Battlefield Park in terms of annual visitors out of 
all of the Civil War parks--is important to the local community and the 
preservation of our national heritage. I believe that H.R. 5152 only 
adds to the significance of the park and will enhance the experience of 
visitors for years to come.
  I urge all of my colleagues to support H.R. 5152.
  Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of 
my time.
  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands (Mrs. Christensen) that the House 
suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 5152.
  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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