[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 46 (Tuesday, March 15, 2022)]
[House]
[Pages H3725-H3726]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   GUAM NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA STUDY

  Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 2899) to direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a 
study to assess the suitability and feasibility of designating areas 
within the island of Guam as a National Heritage Area, and for other 
purposes.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 2899

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. THE GUAM NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA STUDY.

       (a) Study.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary, in consultation with 
     appropriate regional and local organizations or agencies, 
     shall conduct a study to assess the suitability and 
     feasibility of designating the study areas as National 
     Heritage Areas.
       (2) Requirements.--The study shall include analysis, 
     documentation, and determinations on whether the study 
     areas--
       (A) has an assemblage of natural, historic, and cultural 
     resources that--
       (i) represent distinctive aspects of the heritage of the 
     United States;
       (ii) are worthy of recognition, conservation, 
     interpretation, and continuing use by residents and visitors; 
     and
       (iii) would be best managed--

       (I) through partnerships among public and private entities; 
     and
       (II) by linking diverse and sometimes noncontiguous 
     resources and active communities that share a common 
     heritage;

       (B) reflects traditions, customs, beliefs, and folklife 
     that are a valuable part of the story of the United States;
       (C) provides--
       (i) outstanding opportunities to conserve natural, 
     historic, cultural, or scenic features; and
       (ii) outstanding recreational and educational and cultural 
     tourism opportunities;
       (D) contains resources that--
       (i) are important to any identified themes of the study 
     area; and
       (ii) retain a degree of integrity capable of supporting 
     interpretation;
       (E) includes residents, business interests, nonprofit 
     organizations, including museums and heritage organizations, 
     and State and local governments that--
       (i) are involved in the planning of the National Heritage 
     Area;
       (ii) have developed a conceptual financial plan that 
     outlines the roles of all participants in the Area, including 
     the Federal Government; and
       (iii) have demonstrated support for the designation of the 
     Area;
       (F) has a potential management entity to work in 
     partnership with the individuals and entities described in 
     subparagraph (E) to develop the Area while encouraging State 
     and local economic activity; and
       (G) has a conceptual boundary map that is supported by the 
     public.
       (b) Private Property Considerations.--In conducting the 
     study, the Secretary shall consider the potential impact that 
     designation of the study area as a national heritage area 
     would have on private property on Guam.
       (c) Report.--Not later than the end of the third fiscal 
     year after the date on which funds are first made available 
     for this section, 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 a 
     report that describes--
       (1) the findings of the study; and
       (2) any conclusions and recommendations of the Secretary.
       (d) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) Area.--The term ``Area'' means a National Heritage Area 
     located in Guam.
       (2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of the Interior.
       (3) Study area.--The term ``study area'' means the island 
     of Guam.

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


                             General Leave

  Mr. GRIJALVA. 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 the measure under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Arizona?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2899, introduced by my 
Committee on Natural Resources colleague, Delegate San Nicolas.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2899 authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to 
conduct a study to assess the suitability and feasibility of designated 
areas within the island of Guam as national heritage areas. The study 
would cover the entire island of Guam and identify areas of natural, 
historic, and cultural importance that reflect the traditions, customs, 
beliefs, and folklife that represent distinct and nationally 
significant aspects of the American story.
  I congratulate Delegate San Nicolas for his strong advocacy in 
promoting this legislation on behalf of his constituents, and I urge 
support from my colleagues on this legislation.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

[[Page H3726]]

  

  Mr. WESTERMAN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Madam Speaker, H.R. 2899, offered by Mr. San Nicolas of Guam, 
requires the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study to assess the 
suitability and feasibility of designating areas within the island of 
Guam as a national heritage area.
  Archaeological evidence indicates that the Mariana Islands were one 
of the first places settled by seafaring peoples. The last 400 years of 
Guam's history are marked by administrations of three different 
nations: Spain, the United States, and Japan. After the Spanish-
American War in 1898, Guam was ceded to the United States as an 
unincorporated territory.
  Guam's rich history and culture merit consideration for national 
heritage area status.
  I support Congressman San Nicolas' bill to study areas within the 
island of Guam to determine whether they merit designation as a 
national heritage area in the future.
  Madam Speaker, I urge adoption of the bill, and I reserve the balance 
of my time.
  Mr. GRIJALVA. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to 
the gentleman from Guam (Mr. San Nicolas), the sponsor of the 
legislation.
  Mr. SAN NICOLAS. Madam Speaker, Guam would like to begin by thanking 
the committee chairman for his leadership on this measure, as well as 
the ranking member, the gentleman from Arkansas, for the unanimous 
support of the committee for this legislation, H.R. 2899, and the 
majority leader for us being able to bring this measure to the floor 
today.
  Madam Speaker, this bill would authorize the National Park Service to 
conduct a study throughout the territory of Guam to identify sites that 
will be eligible for designation as national heritage areas.
  The first such designation occurred in 1984, signed into law by 
President Ronald Reagan. Since that time, 54 other sites throughout the 
country have been so designated as national heritage areas, enjoying 
the rightful support of this Federal Government to preserve, promote, 
and enhance the significance of these sites in the fabric of America.
  Madam Speaker, Guam, in relation to our capital, is our westernmost 
territory, situated closer to Asia than America. Our island possesses 
one of the largest contiguous coral reefs in the country; a deep 
history that includes sites of Imperial Japanese occupation, 
devastation, and decimation during World War II; over 300 years of 
Spanish colonization and subjugation; 124 years as a U.S. possession; 
and 3,000 years of present-day indigenous history carried on by the 
indigenous CHamoru people, who this month recognized CHamoru culture 
and history month with Mes CHamoru.
  Guam holds stories of resiliency, loyalty, triumph over struggle, and 
the struggle that is our present-day unreconciled relationship with 
these United States. It is the birthplace of patriots who gave their 
lives for this country; veterans who proudly served; and Americans 
through and through, who patiently yet persistently seek full inclusion 
in this great Nation.
  This legislation is but one of many steps we must take to fully 
acknowledge the fabric of the territory of Guam and all territories in 
the tapestry that is American democracy.
  Our national heritage is not contiguous to a single landmass, nor is 
it homogeneous to any single people. It is, in fact, everything and 
everyone we are today and the confluence of circumstances that have 
brought us to this day.
  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues throughout this Congress to join 
our colleagues on the committee to secure unanimous passage of H.R. 
2899 as symbolic of the unanimity of this great Nation, the United 
States, Tribes, and territories of America.
  Mr. WESTERMAN. Madam Speaker, again, I urge adoption of the bill, and 
I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. GRIJALVA. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the 
legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. JACKSON, LEE. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 
2899, ``To direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study to 
assess the suitability and feasibility of designating areas within the 
island of Guam as a National Heritage Area, and for other purposes.''
  Different from national parks, national heritage areas are community-
based efforts that preserve and share stories about a region's history 
and character. Heritage areas contain a mixture of public and private 
property, including towns, historic sites, parks, trails, commercial 
districts, and even working farms.
  National Heritage Areas are a grassroots, community-driven approach 
to heritage conservation and economic development. Through public-
private partnerships, NHA entities support historic preservation, 
natural resource conservation, recreation, heritage tourism, and 
educational projects. Leveraging funds and long-term support for 
projects, NHA partnerships foster pride of place and an enduring 
stewardship ethic.
  When an area is designated as an NHA, its inhabitants don't have to 
leave. An important aspect of NHAs is that they are intended as a 
celebration of a living environment, and they improve the local economy 
around them.
  The National Parks Service estimates NHAs average $5.50 for every 
$1.00 of federal investment, bolstering the local economies through 
their unique ``heritage tourism.''
  Not only are NHAs economically friendly, but they are also climate 
friendly. Many NHAs improve water and air quality in their regions 
through restoration projects and encourage people to enjoy natural and 
cultural sites by providing new recreational opportunities.
  Guam is much more than sun, sea, and sand. The island is awash with a 
history that dates back to the Latte Period of 2000BC, the period of 
Ancient Chamorro life before a Spanish expedition led by Portuguese 
explorer Ferdinand Magellan arrived on March 6, 1521.
  With 131 sites around the island listed on the National Register of 
Historic Places, these historical landmarks weave a fascinating tale of 
the island's struggles, resilience, and victories over thousands of 
years. Though the island's colorful history spans the Spanish era, the 
American period, and Japanese WWII occupation, today Guam is most 
widely celebrated for its native Chamorro culture and pride.
  Chamorros are the indigenous people of the Mariana Islands of which 
Guam is the largest and southernmost on an island chain. Archeological 
evidence identified civilization dating back 5,000 years.
  Their vernacular, called the Chamorro language, is interestingly not 
a Micronesian dialect but a distinct language with its own vocabulary 
and grammar.
  Therefore, considering the richness of Guam's land and its peoples, 
it brings me much joy to rise in strong support of H.R. 2899. I urge my 
colleagues to do the same.
  It is for that reason, Madam Speaker, that I urge my colleagues to 
support this legislation.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Ms. Jackson Lee). The question is on the 
motion offered by the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Grijalva) that the 
House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 2899.
  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.

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