[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 143 (Thursday, October 1, 2015)]
[House]
[Page H6752]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HANFORD LAND TRANSFER

  (Mr. NEWHOUSE asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize a significant 
milestone in Richland, Kennewick, and Pasco, Washington.
  While the Tri-Cities led the way in ending World War II and the cold 
war and was very proud to do so, the Federal Government has a legal and 
moral obligation to clean up the legacy nuclear waste at Hanford. This 
week we celebrate a cleanup milestone and the transfer of more than 
1,600 acres of land back to these communities.
  This transfer represents the culmination of years of local efforts as 
well as bipartisan, bicameral cooperation. I commend the work of Doc 
Hastings and Senators Murray and Cantwell that laid the groundwork for 
this achievement.
  As Hanford's cleanup mission is completed, this unneeded Federal land 
should continue to be returned to the local community for the goals of 
conservation, preservation, public access, and economic development to 
be achieved.
  This long anticipated land transfer will be used for industrial and 
energy production and creates jobs and boosts economic development in 
the mid-Columbia region. This week's transfer is an exciting step for 
the post-Hanford future. I will continue to work with all parties to 
have more land returned to the community.

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