[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 76 (Monday, June 3, 2013)]
[House]
[Pages H2996-H2998]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1710
SAN ANTONIO MISSIONS NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK BOUNDARY EXPANSION ACT OF 
                                  2013

  Mr. WITTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 885) to expand the boundary of San Antonio Missions National 
Historical Park, to conduct a study of potential land acquisitions, and 
for other purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                                H.R. 885

       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 ``San Antonio Missions 
     National Historical Park Boundary Expansion Act of 2013''.

     SEC. 2. BOUNDARY EXPANSION.

        Section 201(a) of Public Law 95-629 (16 U.S.C. 410ee(a)) 
     is amended--
       (1) by striking ``In order'' and inserting ``(1) In 
     order'';
       (2) by striking ``The park shall also'' and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(2) The park shall also'';
       (3) by striking ``After advising the'' and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(5) After advising the''.
       (4) by inserting after paragraph (2) (as so designated by 
     paragraph (2)) the following:
       ``(3) The boundary of the park is further modified to 
     include approximately 137 acres, as depicted on the map 
     titled `San Antonio Missions National Historical Park 
     Proposed Boundary Addition', numbered 472/113,006A, and dated 
     June 2012. The map shall be on file and available for 
     inspection in the appropriate offices of the National Park 
     Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
       ``(4) The Secretary may not acquire by condemnation any 
     land or interest in land within the boundaries of the park. 
     The Secretary is authorized to acquire land and interests in 
     land that are within the boundaries of the park pursuant to 
     paragraph (3) by donation or exchange only (and in the case 
     of an exchange, no payment may be made by the Secretary to 
     any landowner). No private property or non-Federal public 
     property shall be included within the boundaries of the park 
     without the written consent of the owner of such property. 
     Nothing in this Act, the establishment of the park, or the 
     management plan of the park shall be construed to create 
     buffer zones outside of the park. That an activity or use can 
     be seen or heard from within the park shall not preclude the 
     conduct of that activity or use outside the park.''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Virginia (Mr. Wittman) and the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. 
Napolitano) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Virginia.


                             General Leave

  Mr. WITTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and 
include extraneous materials on the bill under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Virginia?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. WITTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 885 will expand the San Antonio Missions National 
Historic Park to include an additional 137 acres. Each of these 137 
acres is currently owned and being managed by the National Park 
Service, so additional operating costs will be minimal, if there are 
any at all.
  The Natural Resources Committee amended H.R. 885 to further control 
costs by requiring that any property acquired through this legislation 
be only by donation or exchange, and condemnation is explicitly 
prohibited. Additional property rights provisions require written 
consent of property owners before their land can be included in the 
boundaries of the park, and the creation of buffer zones around the 
park is forbidden.
  Mr. Speaker, with that, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  I rise in strong support of H.R. 885, the San Antonio Missions 
National Historical Park Boundary Expansion Act 2013. Being a born-and-
raised Texan, this is a very dear to my heart issue.
  I do want to thank Congressman Lloyd Doggett and the entire 
bipartisan San Antonio delegation for pushing this very important piece 
of legislation forward. This is the third time the House has considered 
legislation to expand the San Antonio Missions. Hopefully, the third 
time will be the charm.
  Currently, there are 137 acres of land managed by the National Park 
Service that are not part of the existing San Antonio Missions National 
Historical Park. Expanding the boundaries of the park will ensure that 
these cultural and archaeological resources are protected.

[[Page H2997]]

  Mr. Doggett has been involved with this legislation since the 
proposal first came before us several years ago--I'm not sure when. 
Though I know that he would have preferred a broader bill that included 
a study of the additional potential park areas, I thoroughly appreciate 
his efforts to work with our Republican colleagues to obtain a bill 
that they can support.
  It's a very unique place, and I can appreciate Mr. Doggett's 
commitment to getting this legislation approved, and I look forward to 
working with him on this.
  Again, this is a very important bill for Texans, and I urge your 
support.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. WITTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume 
to the sponsor of this piece of legislation, the gentleman from Texas 
(Mr. Lloyd Doggett).
  Mr. DOGGETT. Thank you to my colleague from California, who has ties 
directly to San Antonio and appreciates the importance of this 
legislation.
  I do rise in support of the San Antonio Missions National Historic 
Park Boundary Expansion Act, a measure that has enjoyed the support of 
all of the members of the Texas delegation who represent a part of 
Bexar County. The bill does expand the park by 137 acres.
  The Spanish Missions in San Antonio are truly a unique treasure--for 
us as Texans, and for all Americans. The Missions National Historic 
Park preserves the largest collection of Spanish colonial resources 
anywhere in the United States. It's an educational, historical, and 
cultural resource that each year is bringing over a million people to 
enjoy and learn from it.
  The park is important to the understanding of Texas and the 
development of the United States and, of course, it has a significant 
impact on San Antonio and Bexar County economically.
  In his famous ``San Antonio Rose,'' Bob Wills sung of the Alamo and 
``old San Antone.'' And most people do associate San Antonio with the 
Alamo, a landmark of Texas independence. But in addition to the Alamo, 
there are five remaining Spanish Missions in San Antonio.
  The Alamo lies just north of these four missions that compose the 
Missions National Historical Park. All of them date back to the 1600s, 
1700s, the oldest one to 1690, and they were built when the first of 
six flags flew over Texas, as Spanish colonialists settled San Antonio, 
then on the frontier with the Comanches and Apaches.
  The missions reached out to a number of local Native American tribes, 
teaching them trades and crafts. The missions do reflect the original 
``old San Antone.''
  Thanks to the leadership of Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff, there's 
now a great new Mission Reach Trail that connects from near the Alamo 
to all four missions within the park. It's possible to walk or cycle 
that trail along the San Antonio River, from the excitement of 
downtown, first to Mission Concepcion.
  Next up is the larger Mission San Jose, site of so many gatherings. 
Recently, I joined Father Tony Posadas, Andrew Anguiano, Neighborhood 
Association President Armando Cortez and thousands of people who 
gathered there for the annual Mission Fest.
  Nearby is Mission San Juan Capistrano, a very narrow white stucco 
building, beautiful with its simplicity. Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-
Siller, Father David Garcia and Father Jim Galvin recently reopened 
that mission after an impressive and complex restoration effort. Each 
of these missions is a working parish church, relying on their 
parishioners, and fully restored thanks to the leadership of Father 
Garcia.
  Working closely with him is a group called Los Compadres, a group of 
committed citizens who've raised over $1 million for the continued 
restoration and preservation of the missions, led by Pamela Bain and 
Executive Director Susan Chandoha. Their annual Music Under the Stars 
concert at Mission San Jose is a great way to experience the park.
  And thanks to the leadership of State Representative Joe Farias, park 
visitors also benefit now from a newly dedicated Veterans Memorial 
Bridge in the historic Bergs Mill area.
  The last of the missions, or the first when it comes to our 
colleague, Congressman Gallego, is Mission Espada, and he'll have more 
to say about it, a very important part of the park.
  Among the many community partners who've joined with us in the 
delegation for park expansion are Susan Snow, the World Heritage 
coordinator of the National Park Service; Suzanne Dixon, with the 
National Parks Conservation Association; Bexar County Commissioners 
Tommy Adkisson and Chico Rodriguez; Shannon Miller, with the city's 
Historic Preservation Office; Suzanne Scott, with the River Authority; 
and Marco Barros, with the San Antonio Tourism Council. They're making 
the missions even more accessible and enjoyable for both neighbors and 
tourists.
  One economic study has recently concluded that the park is already 
supporting almost $100 million in annual economic activity and over 
1,100 jobs. With the completion of initiatives associated with this 
park expansion, the missions can more than double their economic impact 
in San Antonio.
  In addition to the bill that we have here today, it is very important 
that we achieve our Quest for World Heritage Status for the missions. 
About a year ago this week, then-Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar 
announced that the Department of the Interior had officially authorized 
the Spanish Missions for nomination to the UNESCO World Heritage List.
  Another economic study has found that that World Heritage status for 
this expanded park could yield over $500 million for the San Antonio 
area within a decade of the World Heritage status.
  Unfortunately, because the United States is not paying its dues to 
UNESCO, which funds the World Heritage Committee, our application could 
be hampered. I hope that obstacle can be overcome by the time next year 
that there's a formal submission of this application.
  I'm hopeful that by passing this bill relatively early in this 
Congress that the Senate will finally be able to move it and have ample 
time to consider it.
  Frankly, as my colleague Mrs. Napolitano pointed out, I would have 
liked to have achieved more today. There are other lands in Bexar and 
Wilson County with historic ties to the mission that should really be a 
part of this park. I know the Wilson County part is of particular 
importance to Congressman Cuellar. But after so many years of failed 
attempts to secure this legislation, it's better to move forward 
together and achieve what is possible today.
  So together, I believe we are taking constructive steps forward to 
enhance a national treasure. Our action is not only about preserving 
culture but about promoting jobs. This park expansion provides another 
good reason for family vacations and national conventions to take the 
``road to San Antone.''
  Mr. WITTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, how much time is left?
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentlewoman from California has 12\1/2\ 
minutes remaining.
  Mrs. NAPOLITANO. I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. 
Gallego).

                              {time}  1720

  Mr. GALLEGO. I'd like to thank Chairman Hastings and the ranking 
member for their work on this vital piece of legislation.
  I'm proud to be an original cosponsor of the San Antonio Missions 
National Historical Park Boundary Expansion Act of 2013. This bill 
would expand the boundaries of the San Antonio Missions National 
Historical Park, including the Espada Mission in the 23rd District.
  Originally, the Espada Mission was the front door. It was the mission 
in San Antonio that grew the food that raised the cattle that fed the 
rest of the missions. It's the only mission that still retains its 
original property. This is a great opportunity for the redevelopment on 
the south side of San Antonio.
  Texas' missions are inextricably part of our culture, our heritage, 
and our history. Like the families of their founders, the missions can 
trace their history back to decades before the

[[Page H2998]]

United States ever claimed its independence. All four of the missions, 
as Congressman Doggett has said, are within several miles of each 
other. Individually, they're marvels of architecture and history. 
Together, they're an incomparable treasure, allowing each of us the 
opportunity to come face-to-face with our Nation's proud past. Enacting 
this legislation is critical to the completion of the world-famous San 
Antonio Mission Trail, which is a national example of public and 
private cooperation. The community needs the resources and the 
expertise of the National Park Service. Yet the National Park Service 
could not operate without the investment of time and money by the local 
community.
  As the Congressman who represents the Espada Mission--and as a 
personal fan of the missions and their history--I believe the National 
Park Service, the city of San Antonio, and the county of Bexar, will 
benefit historically and economically with the passage of this act. 
It's very rare that we can protect key areas, preserve history, and 
create jobs all at the same time. Expanding the mission boundaries will 
do all of that--and much more.
  I encourage my colleagues to support and pass this bill.
  Mr. WITTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. NAPOLITANO. I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. 
Cuellar).
  Mr. CUELLAR. I want to thank the gentlewoman from California and also 
the chairman.
  Mr. Speaker, I also rise to encourage my colleagues to support the 
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park Boundary Expansion Act. I 
want to thank in particular my colleague, Representative Lloyd Doggett, 
who's taken the leadership on this particular bill, along with the 
entire San Antonio delegation of Congressman Gallego, Congressman 
Castro, and Congressman Lamar Smith, all working in a bipartisan way to 
make sure that this legislation passes.
  The San Antonio Missions are a crucial piece of history to the State 
of Texas, and we have to make sure that the National Park Service has 
the ability to make needed improvements to the park and the ability to 
expand the areas under its protection. The lands operated by the 
National Park Service reflect our Nation's historical treasures and 
tell the story of our country, and it's important that Texas' history 
is preserved and included among them.
  The San Antonio Missions National Historical Park is the home to four 
Spanish frontier missions first established in the 1600s. The Park was 
established by the National Park Service in 1975. However, over the 
past 37 years, the needs and the scope of the park require this 
legislation.
  This bill would authorize the transfer of 137 acres by the San 
Antonio River Authority, Bexar County, and the city of San Antonio, to 
the National Park Service. This land transfer will allow for the 
expansion of Missions Park, which I used to represent some time ago. 
Again, it's needed to ensure that these parks are accessible and 
serving the public to the fullest extent possible.
  I'm proud to have this legislation considered today, as we must 
preserve our Nation's treasures for many years. I know the park missing 
is in Wilson County. We're hoping that we can continue to work to make 
sure that we include that sometime in the future, but we must continue 
working together now.
  I urge all my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this bill.
  Mr. WITTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to advise the gentlelady from 
California that I have no other speakers and am prepared to yield back 
the balance of my time if she is prepared to close.
  Mrs. NAPOLITANO. I do urge my colleagues to support this legislation. 
It is critical to help Texas preserve such a national treasure that all 
of us have seen in the movies and heard about and read about.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. WITTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate the bi-partisan 
effort that took place here today to resurrect a piece of legislation 
that is very important to San Antonio, Texas and to our national 
heritage.
  Last Congress my good friend and our former colleague, Mr. Canseco of 
San Antonio, worked diligently for over a year to craft this 
legislation only to see its success thwarted at the last minute by our 
colleagues in the United States Senate.
  I want to thank Mr. Doggett for not letting this issue go away and 
helping to fulfill Mr. Canseco's vision for San Antonio and for the 
protection of such a historical landmark in Texas.
  I am proud to stand today and support this bill, which most of us 
voted for last year, so that we may see through the vision Mr. Canseco 
had for the San Antonio Missions National Park.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Wittman) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 885, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  The title was amended so as to read: ``A bill to expand the boundary 
of the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, and for other 
purposes.''.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________