[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 194 (Monday, December 10, 2018)]
[House]
[Pages H9776-H9777]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                GEORGE W. BUSH CHILDHOOD HOME STUDY ACT

  Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass 
the bill (H.R. 3008) to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to 
conduct a special resource study of the George W. Bush Childhood Home, 
located at 1412 West Ohio Avenue, Midland, Texas, and for other 
purposes.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows

                               H.R. 3008

       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 ``George W. Bush Childhood 
     Home Study Act''.

     SEC. 2. SPECIAL RESOURCE STUDY.

       (a) Study.--The Secretary of the Interior shall conduct a 
     special resource study of the George W. Bush Childhood Home, 
     located at 1412 West Ohio Avenue, Midland, Texas (referred to 
     in this section as the ``site'').
       (b) Contents.--In conducting the study under subsection 
     (a), the Secretary shall--
       (1) evaluate the national significance of the site;
       (2) determine the suitability and feasibility of 
     designating the site as a unit of the National Park System;
       (3) consider other alternatives for preservation, 
     protection, and interpretation of the site by Federal, State, 
     or local governmental entities, or private and nonprofit 
     organizations;
       (4) consult with interested Federal, State, or local 
     governmental entities, private and nonprofit organizations or 
     any other interested individuals;
       (5) determine the effect of the designation of the site as 
     a unit of the National Park System on existing commercial and 
     recreational uses, and the effect on State and local 
     governments to manage those activities;
       (6) identify any authorities, including condemnation, that 
     will compel or permit the Secretary to influence or 
     participate in local land use decisions (such as zoning) or 
     place restrictions on non-Federal land if the site is 
     designated a unit of the National Park System; and
       (7) identify cost estimates for any Federal acquisition, 
     development, interpretation, operation, and maintenance 
     associated with the alternatives.
       (c) Applicable Law.--The study required under subsection 
     (a) shall be conducted in accordance with section 100507 of 
     title 54, United States Code.
       (d) Study Results.--Not later than 3 years after the date 
     on which funds are first made available for the study under 
     subsection (a), the Secretary shall submit to the Committee 
     on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and the 
     Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate the 
     results of the study and any conclusions and recommendations 
     of the Secretary.


[[Page H9777]]


  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Utah (Mr. Bishop) and the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Gallego) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Utah.


                             General Leave

  Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members 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 Utah?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume 
to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Conaway), the sponsor of this bill, to 
explain the significance of this study.
  Mr. CONAWAY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me the 
time and bringing this bill forward.
  Mr. Speaker, as the title says, this bill authorizes the National 
Park Service to study the feasibility of maintaining the George W. Bush 
Childhood Home. It has already undergone a reconnaissance study, which 
says that the Service does believe that it meets these criteria, but 
this will be the final piece in that process.
  Mr. Speaker, last week, our Nation honored, mourned, and celebrated 
the life of George H.W. Bush, as we should. As a part of that, I think 
it is really timely that, this week, we have an opportunity to further 
that memorialization of the Bush family by pushing the National Park 
Service further in its responsibilities to maintain this home.
  We are reminded, as of last week, of the importance of preserving the 
visual imprints of our past for the benefit of our future. The Bush 
family is the epitome of the American Dream. They not only worked hard 
and achieved success, but built on their accomplishments and devoted 
their entire lives to public service. Personal success means nothing, 
Mr. Speaker, without the initiative to give back.
  The George W. Bush Childhood Home serves to educate its visitors and 
celebrate the strong work ethic and earned west Texas grit of the Bush 
legacy, of the home that tells the story of two Presidents, two 
Governors, and a remarkable First Lady.
  It was in this home that George H.W. Bush and Barbara jump-started 
their lives to west Texas, his career in the oil and gas business, and 
raised George W. Bush through the formative years of his childhood.
  This home was the backdrop for the quiet beginnings of a young family 
that found themselves moving West, like so many families before them, 
seeking their own opportunities and a path through life.
  Mr. Speaker, there are currently no National Park Service units 
relating to the George W. Bush childhood, career, or Presidency located 
within the Permian Basin or lower Panhandle region of Texas. I can 
think of no better first addition to the system than a structure that 
celebrates the Bush family, the pride of west Texas.
  Although the site is currently open to the public, oversight by the 
National Park Service will ensure that it is maintained and gives many 
more Americans access to the site to be inspired by one of America's 
and Midland's premier families.
  Mr. GALLEGO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, this bill authorizes a special resource study of the 
George W. Bush Childhood Home to determine the significance of the site 
and the feasibility of designating it as a unit of the National Park 
Service. The home in Midland, Texas, is where George W. Bush lived for 
4 years between the ages of 5 and 9, and not coincidentally, it is also 
where George H.W. Bush lived at the beginning of his political career.
  The structure is listed in the National Register of Historic Places 
and currently operates as a museum. I support the proposed study to 
consider designating this site a unit of the National Park Service and 
determine the appropriate management to ensure its preservation.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, once again, we have a situation here where there is 
already a museum that is run by a nonprofit entity in this area. What 
is being asked here is for a study to be done by the National Park 
Service to find the significance of including this as part of the 
National Park Service's portfolio of properties.
  It is fitting that we try to do this, for, indeed, in American 
history, there have been only two times when there has been both a 
father and a son who have served as President of the United States, 
once with the Adams and now with the Bushes.
  So having a home where they, as well as the future Governor of 
Florida, actually resided is one of those things that clearly is a 
unique sense of history. It is a unique property that provides that 
sense of history. So for a study to be done on whether it should be 
added to the National Park Service repertoire of sites is a proper 
thing to do.
  Mr. Speaker, I commend Congressman Conaway's efforts to recognize and 
honor two of our country's Presidents, and I urge my colleagues, once 
again, to adopt this bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Utah (Mr. Bishop) that the House suspend the rules and 
pass the bill, H.R. 3008.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further 
proceedings on this motion will be postponed.

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