[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 125 (Wednesday, July 24, 2019)]
[House]
[Pages H7290-H7291]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
RESTORE THE HARMONY WAY BRIDGE ACT
Mr. DeFAZIO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 3245) to transfer a bridge over the Wabash River to the New
Harmony River Bridge Authority and the New Harmony and Wabash River
Bridge Authority, and for other purposes.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 3245
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 ``Restore the Harmony Way
Bridge Act''.
SEC. 2. TRANSFER OF BRIDGE AND LAND.
Notwithstanding any provision of the Act of April 12, 1941
(55 Stat. 140, chapter 71), not later than 180 days after the
date of enactment of this Act, the White County Bridge
Commission shall convey, without consideration, to the New
Harmony River Bridge Authority and the New Harmony and Wabash
River Bridge Authority, any and all right, title, and
interest of such Commission in and to the bridge across the
Wabash River at or near New Harmony, Indiana, in the
approaches thereto, and in land underneath or adjacent to
such bridge and its approaches.
SEC. 3. REPEAL.
The Act of April 12, 1941 (55 Stat. 140, chapter 71) is
repealed effective on the date that the White County Bridge
Commission completes the conveyance described in section 2.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Oregon (Mr. DeFazio) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Rodney Davis)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Oregon.
General Leave
Mr. DeFAZIO. 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 material on H.R. 3245.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Oregon?
There was no objection.
Mr. DeFAZIO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3245, introduced by the
gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Bucshon).
The legislation is very similar to a bill, H.R. 6793, which passed
the House by unanimous consent during the 115th Congress but failed to
achieve the consideration of the United States Senate.
H.R. 3245 conveys the Harmony Way Bridge to the New Harmony River
Bridge Authority in Illinois and the New Harmony and Wabash River
Bridge Authority in Indiana.
The bridge currently remains owned by the Federal Government under
the White County Bridge Commission, but the commission is no longer
active.
The bridge, which was constructed in 1930, connects White County,
Illinois, with Posey County, Indiana, across the Wabash River. It was
placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2007 but has been
closed since 2012 when an engineer's inspection discovered structural
integrity issues, which made the bridge unsafe for vehicular traffic.
This legislation allows the States of Indiana and Illinois to jointly
work together to restore the Harmony Way Bridge and determine the
future of this historic landmark.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in passing this
legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time
as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman DeFazio for helping make this bill a
bipartisan success, and I rise in support of H.R. 3245.
I really want to thank my colleague, the ranking member of the
committee, Mr. Graves, and also our other colleague, my former boss,
Congressman John Shimkus, who allowed me to work on this project as
one of his staff members back in the early 2000s.
To be able to stand on the House floor and see this solution be put
forth by my other colleague from Indiana (Mr. Bucshon), with the
support of Mr. Shimkus, Mr. Graves, and the Illinois and Indiana
delegations in a very bipartisan way, it is a privilege for me to be
able to manage this bill today.
Who would have thought that two kids from Christian County, Illinois,
would one day stand here on the floor of the U.S. House of
Representatives and have a bipartisan bill that is going to help both
the constituents of Indiana and Illinois, but that is exactly where we
are today with my good friend Mr. Bucshon, who grew up about 8 miles
from where I grew up.
This bill is a long time coming. It is going to convey the Harmony
Way Bridge from the Federal Government to the designated entities
within the States of Illinois and Indiana. This is what the States of
Illinois and Indiana have asked us for.
The bridge is currently managed by the White County Bridge
Commission, which was created by Federal legislation in 1941. In 2012,
this bridge was closed because of the inability of that commission to
support its safety measures and to support the improvements that were
necessary.
By conveying this bridge and repealing the 1941 legislation, the two
States are going to work together for a new vision, which serves as a
very important link between Illinois and Indiana as it crosses the
Wabash River.
A companion bill has already been introduced by the four Senators
from Illinois and Indiana. Last week, that bill, S. 1833, was approved
by unanimous consent. Additionally, the House passed a similar bill
last Congress by unanimous consent.
Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 3245, and I
reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. DeFAZIO. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the
gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Graves), my good friend and the ranking
member.
Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R.
3245, and I thank Representative Bucshon for his hard work on this
important issue.
H.R. 3245 is going to enable entities within the States of Illinois
and Indiana to chart a whole new course for the Harmony Way Bridge,
which is closed currently.
The bridge is not only a critical link between these States, but it
is also representative of that strong bond between the people of
Illinois and Indiana. That connection is further demonstrated by the
fact that all members of the Indiana and Illinois delegations
cosponsored this bill.
Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 3245.
Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, again, this bill is a
bipartisan success story and a bistate success story.
Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr.
Pence).
Mr. PENCE. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3245,
legislation sponsored by my colleague, friend, and fellow Hoosier, Dr.
Larry Bucshon.
The Harmony Way Bridge connects Indiana to Illinois over the Wabash
River. The bridge is currently managed by the White County Bridge
Commission, which was created by Federal legislation in 1941.
The bridge closed in 2012 due to structural deficiencies, and current
Federal law blocks local officials from taking action to repair the
bridge.
I am proud to join my colleagues in both the Indiana and Illinois
delegations as a cosponsor on this critical legislation.
H.R. 3245 would allow the two States to determine the future of the
bridge.
Madam Speaker, supporting this bill is common sense.
A companion bill, S. 1833, was introduced by the four Senators from
Indiana and Illinois and passed by unanimous consent.
Last year, the House passed a similar bill overwhelmingly. In
addition, both Indiana and Illinois created State commissions to manage
the bridge, and now it is our responsibility to complete the transfer.
I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 3245 and allow the States of
Illinois and Indiana, and the community residents surrounding the
Harmony Way Bridge, to determine the future of this treasured landmark.
Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, again, I am proud to
stand here next to my good friend Dr. Bucshon, who was born in my
hometown of Taylorville, Illinois, raised in Kincaid, Illinois, and
went on to become a heart surgeon.
I don't know if I would trust him operating on me, but, hey, I know a
lot of patients in Indiana did.
[[Page H7291]]
This is a guy who promised to get things done. This project, I can
tell you firsthand, was not moving anywhere until Mr. Bucshon took the
lead. This is why I am proud to be able to recognize him now and thank
him very much for his support of this bill.
Madam Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr.
Bucshon).
Mr. BUCSHON. Madam Speaker, it is an honor to rise today in support
of H.R. 3245, the Restore the Harmony Way Bridge Act.
The Harmony Way Bridge is a local landmark and was an engineering
marvel when it opened in 1930. Throughout the 20th century, the bridge
connected Posey County, Indiana, and White County, Illinois, creating
an access point for commerce and recreation for Hoosiers from the New
Harmony and surrounding communities, as well as those from White
County, Illinois.
Unfortunately, in 2012, the bridge was permanently closed due to
safety concerns related to structural issues. While the community has
pushed to refurbish and reopen the bridge, until now, Federal law has
stood in the way.
That is why the Restore the Harmony Way Bridge Act is important. It
will convey the bridge to the Indiana and Illinois bridge authorities
and remove the Federal conditions set out on the bridge.
I am glad to see this bill on the floor today, and I want to give
thanks to all those who have helped in the effort. First, I thank Susie
Davis, from my staff, for her work on this bill. I thank Lora Arneberg
from the New Harmony, Indiana, community, whose hard work has been
invaluable in promoting the bridge restoration.
I also thank Indiana State Senator Jim Tomes and State Representative
Wendy McNamara for their efforts at the State level.
Furthermore, I thank my colleagues: Congressman Shimkus, Indiana
Senators Braun and Young, Illinois Senators Durbin and Duckworth, and
all the members of the Indiana and Illinois House delegations, who are
all cosponsors of this bill, for helping me lead this effort in
Congress and finally solving this problem.
The Restore the Harmony Way Bridge Act will breathe life once more
into the Harmony Way Bridge.
Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me on this monumental
occasion and support this bill.
Mr. DeFAZIO. Madam Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I reserve
the balance of my time to close.
Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I am prepared to close.
I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, again, this is a bipartisan success story. This is an
issue so many of us have worked hard on together. To see it pass today
with the support of Republicans and Democrats is something that I can
tell you a few years ago I didn't think would happen.
This is an opportunity, too, for me, again, to thank the hardworking
people in Congressman Shimkus' office.
I remember learning about this project from my fellow staffer who
lived right near the New Harmony Way Bridge, Holly Healy, who gave me
the lowdown on why it was important to pass this legislation. That was
back in 2003.
I am proud to thank Holly today for her dedication and the hard work
that she has done on behalf of Congressman Shimkus over the years.
Today is the day we finally get to make this happen so that bridge can
be repaired and that bridge can be reopened.
Madam Speaker, I urge a ``yes'' vote on this bill, and I yield back
the balance of my time.
Mr. DeFAZIO. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Madam Speaker, I urge that the House do support and pass this
legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. Torres of California). The question is
on the motion offered by the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. DeFazio) that
the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 3245.
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.
____________________