[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 29 (Wednesday, February 24, 2016)]
[House]
[Pages H875-H876]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
GULLAH/GEECHEE CULTURAL HERITAGE ACT AMENDMENT
Mr. McCLINTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 3004) to amend the Gullah/Geechee Cultural Heritage Act to
extend the authorization for the Gullah/Geechee Cultural Heritage
Corridor Commission.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 3004
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. EXTENSION OF THE AUTHORIZATION FOR THE GULLAH/
GEECHEE CULTURAL HERITAGE CORRIDOR COMMISSION.
Section 295D(d) of the Gullah/Geechee Cultural Heritage Act
(Public Law 109-338; 120 Stat. 1833; 16 U.S.C. 461 note) is
amended by striking ``10 years'' and inserting ``15 years''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
California (Mr. McClintock) and the gentlewoman from Massachusetts (Ms.
Tsongas) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.
General Leave
Mr. McCLINTOCK. 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 California?
There was no objection.
Mr. McCLINTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
H.R. 3004, introduced by the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr.
Clyburn), amends the Gullah/Geechee Cultural Heritage Act by extending
the authorization for the Gullah/Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor
Commission.
The corridor exists to preserve and foster the unique cultural
communities formed by Americans of African descent along the Atlantic
coastal islands of four States and that existed in relative isolation
for many generations.
During those years, a distinct and uniquely American culture evolved,
a culture that is gradually slipping from us in the march of the modern
world.
Although the heritage corridor was authorized through October 12,
2021, the Commission was only authorized through October 12, 2016.
Without any legislative change, the corridor will have to be managed by
a different, as yet unconstituted, entity.
I urge passage of the measure.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, this bill simply extends the authorization of the
Gullah/Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor Commission from 10 to 15
years.
Congress designated the Gullah/Geechee Heritage Corridor in 2006 to
promote and interpret the story of African Americans known as Gullah/
Geechee who settled along the coast of North Carolina, South Carolina,
Georgia, and Florida.
The enabling legislation for the corridor, while providing a 15-year
authority for technical and financial assistance, only gave the
identified local coordinating entity a 10-year authorization. This bill
matches up the two authorities so the Commission can continue its work.
I want to thank the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Clyburn) for
bringing this issue to our attention and all of his work on behalf of
the Gullah/Geechee Heritage Corridor.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. McCLINTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Carter).
Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R.
3004, which would extend authorization for the Gullah/Geechee Cultural
Heritage Corridor Commission through October of 2021.
The low country and sea islands of our southeastern States, including
the First Congressional District of Georgia, are home to some of our
Nation's most treasured cultures. One of the most unique is the Gullah/
Geechee people.
Over the past three centuries, the Gullah/Geechee people have
developed and preserved their own distinct language and culture that
retains many of their African traditions. The Gullah/Geechee Cultural
Heritage Corridor was created to recognize the cultural contributions
of the Gullah/Geechee and to assist in preserving and interpreting
their history, language, folklore, art, and music.
The Gullah/Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor Commission coordinates
with local officials and communities to preserve and honor the Gullah/
Geechee heritage for years to come.
H.R. 3004 would extend the Commission's authorization for an
additional 5 years so that they may continue their mission of
preserving the valuable contributions of the Gullah/Geechee culture.
I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the
gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Clyburn), my distinguished
colleague.
Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding me the
time.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3004, a bill that makes a
technical change to the Gullah/Geechee Cultural Heritage Act.
Gullah/Geechee is a blend of African and European language, culture,
and traditions found along the coast and sea islands of North Carolina,
South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida, where former slaves began their
freedom in isolated and remote communities and nurtured unique cultural
traditions.
The Gullah/Geechee Cultural Heritage Act, signed into law in 2006,
created the Gullah/Geechee Heritage Corridor to preserve and protect
the remaining vestiges of this living culture, which has been
threatened by development in these coastal communities.
Called Gullah in the Carolinas and Geechee in Georgia and Florida,
these enclaves of language and culture provide a significant link to
African American heritage. As a former history teacher and historic
preservation advocate, the establishment of the heritage corridor is
one of my proudest achievements in Congress.
This bill before us corrects a technical issue by extending the
authorization of the Commission created by the original legislation to
coincide with the heritage corridor, which runs to 2021. Without this
change, the heritage corridor would continue to exist but would need to
be managed by a new entity, eroding the progress the current Commission
has made toward implementing its management plan. Enacting this
legislation will ensure continuity in the management of the corridor so
that its mission is carried out as efficiently and effectively as
possible.
I want to thank the chairman and ranking members of the Committee on
Natural Resources and Subcommittee on Federal Lands for their support
of this bill and for moving it swiftly to the House floor today for
consideration.
Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to support its passage.
Mr. McCLINTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
South Carolina (Mr. Rice).
{time} 1400
Mr. RICE of South Carolina. I thank the distinguished gentleman for
yielding.
The Gullah/Geechee culture is infused throughout the low country of
South Carolina. In fact, it is a big part of what makes the low country
of South Carolina so unique. From Daufuskie on the southern end to
Little River Neck on the northern end, that culture permeates our
geography and our people.
My father's family, my grandfather's family, my brother, and myself
were raised in the midst of the Gullah/Geechee culture. In all of our
cities--again, from north to south; in Charleston, Myrtle Beach, and
Georgetown--you can see those traditions infused throughout those
communities.
[[Page H876]]
The traditions of the Gullah/Geechee arts, oral history, literature,
music, cuisine, and others, have made a distinctive impact on the
coastal Carolina culture. Growing up on the coast, I have fond memories
of the Gullah/Geechee people and their way of life.
Authorizing the Gullah/Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor Commission
is important to preserving and managing the uniqueness of their
important traditions. I support the reauthorization of the Commission
and the passage of H.R. 3004.
Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. McCLINTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of this measure, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from California (Mr. McClintock) that the House suspend the
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 3004.
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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