[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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