[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 38 (Wednesday, February 26, 2020)]
[House]
[Page H1204]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CHESAPEAKE BAY GATEWAYS AND WATERTRAILS NETWORK REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 
                                  2019

  Mr. NEGUSE. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 2427) to amend the Chesapeake Bay Initiative Act of 1998 to 
reauthorize the Chesapeake Bay Gateways and Watertrails Network, as 
amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 2427

       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 ``Chesapeake Bay Gateways and 
     Watertrails Network Reauthorization Act of 2019''.

     SEC. 2. REAUTHORIZATION OF CHESAPEAKE BAY GATEWAYS AND 
                   WATERTRAILS NETWORK.

       Section 502(c) of the Chesapeake Bay Initiative Act of 1998 
     (54 U.S.C. 320101 note; Public Law 105-312) is amended by 
     striking ``2019'' and inserting ``2025''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Colorado (Mr. Neguse) and the gentleman from California (Mr. 
McClintock) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Colorado.


                             General Leave

  Mr. NEGUSE. Madam 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 the measure under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Colorado?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. NEGUSE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, H.R. 2427, introduced by Representative Sarbanes, 
would reauthorize the Chesapeake Bay Gateways and Watertrails Network.
  The Chesapeake Bay Gateways and Watertrails Network is a State, 
local, and Federal partnership that helps the National Park Service and 
its partners connect people to the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.
  This system of more than 170 sites tells the story of the connection 
between people and nature throughout the region and has been critical 
for expanding public access to the Chesapeake Bay, supporting enhanced 
interpretation, education, youth employment, and recreation associated 
with the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.
  This program is a great example of collaboration and partnership, and 
I want to thank my colleague from Maryland for his hard work to ensure 
that it succeeds.
  The Chesapeake Bay Gateways and Watertrails Network deserves our 
support, and so I urge my colleagues to support this bill and authorize 
this program for an additional 5 years.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. McCLINTOCK. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  H.R. 2427 reauthorizes appropriations at current levels for the 
Chesapeake Bay Initiative Act of 1998 taking us through the year 2025.
  Much of the early history of our country was written on the 
Chesapeake Bay. Eight recognized American Indian Tribes maintain 
ancestral homes there. It is the site of Jamestown and the early 
English settlements. It was a center for the great Yankee trading 
ships, the birthplace of George Washington, the site of Fort McHenry, 
and the main line of the Underground Railroad which took so many to 
their freedom.
  The Chesapeake Bay Gateways and Watertrails Network, originally 
authorized through the Chesapeake Bay Initiative Act of 1998, set up a 
network of Chesapeake Bay-related sites such as parks, wildlife 
refuges, and trails. The program includes 160 sites in six States and 
the District of Columbia. The National Park Service provides matching 
grants for projects that enhance public education about and access to 
the Chesapeake Bay.
  At a time when so many are losing touch with our country's proud 
heritage--or even denigrating that heritage--it is all the more 
important to keep alive the memory of those great days that set the 
American Nation on its path to prosperity and freedom.
  Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. NEGUSE. Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague from California for 
his support of the bill.
  In closing, Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this 
legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Ms. Jackson Lee). The question is on the 
motion offered by the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Neguse) that the 
House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 2427, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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