[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 20 (Monday, February 5, 2024)]
[House]
[Pages H396-H397]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CHESAPEAKE AND OHIO CANAL NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK COMMISSION EXTENSION 
                                  ACT

  Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 1727) to amend the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Development Act 
to extend the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park 
Commission, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 1727

       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 and Ohio Canal 
     National Historical Park Commission Extension Act''.

     SEC. 2. CHESAPEAKE AND OHIO CANAL NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK 
                   COMMISSION.

       Section 6(g) of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Development 
     Act (16 U.S.C. 410y-4(g)) is amended by striking ``40'' and 
     all that follows through the period at the end and inserting 
     ``on October 1, 2031.''.

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


                             General Leave

  Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and 
include extraneous material on H.R. 1727, the bill now under 
consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Arkansas?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I support the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National 
Historical Park Commission Extension Act. This bill reauthorizes the 
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park Commission for 7 
years beyond the Commission's current expiration date of September 
2024.
  The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park, or C&O Canal, 
stretches over 184 miles from Georgetown in Washington, D.C., to 
Cumberland, Maryland. For nearly a century, the national historical 
park played a crucial role in the transportation of many agricultural 
products along the Potomac River.
  Today, the park offers numerous outdoor recreation opportunities 
while continuing to serve as a source of economic growth through 
tourism and employment opportunities. In 2021, the park attracted over 
5 million visitors, supported 1,360 jobs, and generated $104 million in 
economic output in local gateway communities surrounding the park.

[[Page H397]]

  The park's commission is comprised of 19 members who serve on a 
volunteer basis. By including the voices and unique perspective of 
various local stakeholders, the commission provides a critical link 
between the National Park Service and local communities with no cost to 
the American taxpayer.
  Mr. Speaker, I support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my 
time.
  Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1727, the Chesapeake and Ohio 
Canal National Historical Park Commission Extension Act, introduced by 
my colleague from Maryland, Representative Trone.
  Once a transportation route from Maryland to Washington, D.C., the 
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park now serves as an 
area full of recreational opportunities, while maintaining the 
historical structures of the old transportation route.
  The park is comprised of 184 miles along the Potomac River, hosting 
over 5 million visitors annually. The bill before us would reauthorize 
the park's advisory commission until 2031 to allow them to continue 
their leadership in working with their communities to enhance visitor 
experience and recreational opportunities.
  The advisory commission is key to ensuring that local communities 
have a voice in the operation, maintenance, and restoration of the 
park.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on the bill, and I 
reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time and 
continue to reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from 
Maryland (Mr. Trone).
  Mr. TRONE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today and urge a ``yes'' vote on my 
bill, the C&O Canal National Historical Park Commission Extension Act.
  Running from D.C. to Cumberland, Maryland, the park's 20,000 acres of 
land are home to history. George Washington himself spearheaded the 
efforts to navigate these waters and drive industry in our then-newly 
formed Republic. For nearly 100 years, the canal transported lumber, 
crops, and coal, crucial commerce for the many communities depending on 
it for their livelihoods.
  Now a national park, the C&O Canal is home to thousands of native 
species, over 100 of which are listed as rare and threatened or 
endangered by the State of Maryland, all of which must be fiercely 
protected.
  For more than 40 years, the advisory commission has served as a link 
between the surrounding communities and the National Park Service to 
manage and restore the park. The commission has a proven track record 
of ensuring the growth and maintenance of the land, as well as 
protection of the plants and animals living within it.
  Every 10 years, Congress must reauthorize this commission for it to 
continue the vital work, which brings us here today. I am proud to lead 
this effort with my dear friend, Senator Ben Cardin, to ensure 
Americans can enjoy, explore, and protect our park for generations to 
come.

                              {time}  1615

  I am honored to represent so many Marylanders who get to appreciate 
the beauty and rich history of the C&O Canal every day.
  By reauthorizing the commission, we are showing that Congress values 
the investments in our Nation's natural resources.
  I thank all Members from the C&O Canal region who support this 
legislation: Representatives Beyer, Connolly, Holmes Norton, Mooney, 
Raskin, and Wexton. I thank Natural Resources Committee Chair Westerman 
for moving this bill through committee with unanimous support and 
Chairwoman Dingell for her support.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge a ``yes'' vote.
  Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
am prepared to close.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the legislation, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, this is a commonsense bill that promotes 
collaboration between Federal agencies and local stakeholders. It 
achieves this without adding any burden on the American taxpayer.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of this bill, and I yield back the 
balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Westerman) that the House suspend the 
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 1727, as amended.
  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. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a 
quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not 
present.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further 
proceedings on this question will be postponed.
  The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.

                          ____________________