[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 158 (Tuesday, September 25, 2018)]
[House]
[Pages H8860-H8861]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
EXTENDING AUTHORIZATION FOR CAPE COD NATIONAL SEASHORE ADVISORY
COMMISSION
Mr. McCLINTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 5585) to extend the authorization for the Cape Cod National
Seashore Advisory Commission.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 5585
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. CAPE COD NATIONAL SEASHORE ADVISORY COMMISSION.
Effective September 26, 2018, section 8(a) of Public Law
87-126 (16 U.S.C. 459b-7(a)) is amended in the second
sentence by striking ``2018'' and inserting ``2028''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
California (Mr. McClintock) and the gentleman from California (Mr.
Huffman) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California (Mr. McClintock).
{time} 2115
General Leave
Mr. McCLINTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days in which 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, H.R. 5585 extends authorization of the
Cape Cod National Seashore Advisory Commission until 2028. The
commission provides valuable feedback to the Cape Cod National
Seashore, which helps to promote sound park management, improve public
access, and ensure that the National Park Service is a good neighbor to
the surrounding communities.
Mr. Speaker, I ask for adoption of the measure and am prepared to
close when my colleague is finished. I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the
gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Keating), my colleague and champion
of the Cape Cod National Seashore.
Mr. KEATING. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of my bill, H.R. 5585, to reauthorize
the Cape Cod National Seashore Advisory Commission for another decade.
One of President John F. Kennedy's first acts was to sign into law
the bill that created the Cape Cod National Seashore, a bill which he
himself had previously offered when he was a Senator from
Massachusetts.
This beautiful expanse of sand dunes, marshlands, highland woods,
lakes, rivers, streams, and pristine coastal estuaries stretches from
Chatham in the south to Provincetown in the north, and includes the six
towns that form the Outer Cape and spans over 43,000 acres.
Today, more than 4 million visitors from around the world come to my
district every year to experience the natural beauty and recreational
opportunities that the seashore offers. In this way, the seashore is
crucial for the many local businesses that depend on the cape's tourism
industry for their livelihoods.
Yet, even while hosting the millions of visitors each summer, the
seashore continues to protect dozens of threatened endangered species,
invests in important local science and education, expands cultural
arts, and hosts numerous environmental endeavors. One of these
projects, the Herring River Restoration Project, will be the largest
salt marsh restoration project in New England history.
It is important to note that, for many communities on the cape, the
parklands make up more than 75 percent of their land area. That is why
this regional board--the first of its kind in the National Park
System--is so important. It links Federal partners in the National Park
Service with their State and local partners to inform the public about
park matters; to problem-solve on numerous environmental, economic, and
public infrastructure issues; and to promote open lines of
communication with the National Park Service.
Think about it. Six small communities and a large Federal agency
drawing several million people into their towns each year, in solutions
rather than conflict.
Time and time again, this commission has proven itself to be an
important forum for the communities that make up the Outer Cape to have
productive discussions with their leadership on the Cape Cod National
Seashore about issues that affect not only the seashore but the broader
Outer Cape region as well.
For 60 years, the relationship that the commission has provided
between the National Seashore and its host communities represents the
best of what a partnership with local entities and Federal officials
can and should be.
The track record of success that the Cape Cod National Seashore
Advisory Commission has shown since its inception clearly demonstrates
the need for it to continue its exemplary work for the challenges of
the next decade.
I would like to thank the chairman of the committee and the ranking
member, my two colleagues from California, for their help in moving
this bill forward. I urge my colleagues, all my colleagues, to join me
in support of this legislation.
Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. McCLINTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I ask for adoption of the bill, 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. 5585.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
[[Page H8861]]
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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