[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 178 (Tuesday, December 3, 2024)]
[House]
[Pages H6278-H6279]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              ATCHAFALAYA NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA EXPANSION

  Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 6843), to expand the boundaries of the Atchafalaya National 
Heritage Area to include Lafourche Parish, Louisiana.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 6843

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

     SECTION 1. ATCHAFALAYA NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA EXPANSION.

       Section 213 of the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area Act 
     (subtitle B of title II of Public Law 109-338) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (b), by striking ``and Ascension Parish'' 
     and inserting ``Ascension, and Lafourche Parish''; and
       (2) in subsection (c)(2), by striking ``14'' and inserting 
     ``15''.

  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 in which to revise and extend their remarks 
and include extraneous material on H.R. 6843, 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 rise to support Leader Scalise's bill, H.R. 6843, 
which will modestly expand an existing national heritage area located 
in his district.
  Currently encompassing 14 parishes in southern Louisiana's 
Atchafalaya Basin, this national heritage area promotes the region's 
unique traditions, language, culture, and landscape.
  The Atchafalaya is the Nation's largest river swamp, boasting 
abundant natural resources such as ancient live oaks, towering cypress, 
sugarcane, and cotton. The region is also home to residents of 
European, African, Caribbean, and Native-American descent who all 
contribute to the area's famous Cajun culture.
  By promoting heritage development and tourism, the Atchafalaya 
National Heritage Area protects the region's very cultural and physical 
resources, while contributing to the local economy.
  H.R. 6843 will build on that success by expanding the boundaries of 
the national heritage area to include nearby Lafourche Parish. This 
humble expansion will help create jobs and safeguard the region's 
natural and cultural resources.
  I want to commend Leader Scalise for leading this effort to help 
promote local natural and cultural resources without Federal management 
or ownership and empower local approaches and do not hinder economic 
development.
  Mr. Speaker, I support the bill, and I reserve the balance of my 
time.
  Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 6843, a bill 
introduced by our colleague and my friend from Louisiana (Mr. Scalise).
  The Atchafalaya National Heritage Area was established by Congress in 
2006. It is known for its rich cultures and ecologically varied 
regions. It stretches across 14 parishes in southern Louisiana, where 
it helps preserve and promote Cajun culture and the area's diverse 
abundance of wildlife and natural history.
  This bill would expand the current boundaries of the national 
heritage area to encompass the Lafourche Parish in southern Louisiana. 
The National Park Service studied and approved the expansion, making 
this an easy bill to support.
  National heritage areas preserve landscapes of significant importance 
to communities through natural, cultural, and historical resources. 
These areas also serve communities by providing recreational and 
economic opportunities.
  Expanding the boundary's areas will promote grassroots conservation 
efforts and expand economic opportunities in those regions. This is a 
win-win.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes,'' and I reserve the 
balance of my time.
  Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from 
Louisiana (Mr. Scalise), the lead sponsor of this bill and the majority 
leader,
  Mr. SCALISE. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Chairman Westerman, as well 
as the House Committee on Natural Resources for moving this bill 
forward. I thank my good friend, Mrs. Dingell, for her strong support 
as well, as she just expressed.
  I am honored to speak on behalf of my bill to update the boundaries 
of the existing Atchafalaya National Heritage Area to include Lafourche 
Parish which is in my district. Stretching across 14 parishes in 
Louisiana, the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area protects our region's 
storied culture and resources.
  From Cajun music, to zydeco, to our bayous and abundant natural 
resources, Louisiana has unparalleled culture and heritage and is home 
to some of the most unique and special landscapes in the world.
  The Atchafalaya National Heritage Area brings awareness to this 
region and tells the rich story of Louisiana's treasured culture and 
history.
  I am proud to lead the effort with my delegation colleagues to ensure 
that Lafourche Parish, the only parish in the historic boundary area 
that is left out of the original designation, is finally included in 
this national heritage area. This bill corrects a long-overdue 
oversight that will complete the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area.
  I would especially like to thank my fellow Louisiana delegation 
members, as well as the executive director of the Atchafalaya National 
Heritage Area, Justin Lemoine, the Lafourche Parish President, Archie 
Chaisson, the parishes originally included in the designation, and the 
other stakeholders for their support in this effort.
  I encourage all of my colleagues to join me in voting ``yes'' for 
this bill and in celebrating the great, unique heritage that we enjoy 
in south Louisiana.
  Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time. I 
reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, 
and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, this straightforward bill will help 
strengthen the economic development, resource protection, and cultural 
heritage of a unique part of the country, while keeping Federal 
involvement to a minimum.
  I thank the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Scalise) for leading this 
important effort and for his tireless work on behalf his constituents.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge the adoption of this legislation, and I yield 
back the balance of my time.

[[Page H6279]]

  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. 6843.
  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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