[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 144 (Monday, September 14, 2026)]
[House]
[Pages H5581-H5582]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
ESTABLISHMENT OF THE GENERAL GEORGE C. MARSHALL HOUSE AS AN AFFILIATED
AREA
Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (S. 603) to designate the General George C. Marshall House, in the
Commonwealth of Virginia, as an affiliated area of the National Park
System, and for other purposes.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
S. 603
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. ESTABLISHMENT OF THE GENERAL GEORGE C. MARSHALL
HOUSE AS AN AFFILIATED AREA.
(a) In General.--The General George C. Marshall House in
the Commonwealth of Virginia is established as an affiliated
area of the National Park System (referred to in this section
as the ``affiliated area'') to promote public appreciation of
the significant historic contributions made by United States
military leader and statesman George Catlett Marshall, Jr.
(b) Description of Affiliated Area.--The affiliated area
shall consist of the area generally depicted as the ``General
George C. Marshall House Property, Leesburg, Virginia'' on
the map entitled ``General George C. Marshall House, Proposed
Affiliated Area'', numbered 999/189,974, and dated September
2023.
(c) Administration.--The affiliated area shall be managed
in a manner consistent with--
(1) this section; and
(2) any law generally applicable to units of the National
Park System.
(d) Management Entity.--The George C. Marshall
International Center shall be the management entity for the
affiliated area.
(e) Agreements.--The Secretary of the Interior (referred to
in this section as the ``Secretary'')--
(1) may provide technical assistance and enter into
cooperative agreements with the management entity designated
by subsection (d) for the purpose of providing financial
assistance for the marketing, marking, interpretation, and
preservation of the affiliated area; and
(2) shall enter into an agreement with the management
entity designated by subsection (d) that describes the roles
and responsibilities for the management of the affiliated
area consistent with the policies and standards that apply to
units of the National Park System.
(f) Limited Role of the Secretary.--Nothing in this section
authorizes the Secretary--
(1) to acquire property at the affiliated area; or
(2) to assume overall financial responsibility for the
operation, maintenance, or management of the affiliated area.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Arkansas (Mr. Westerman) and the gentlewoman from Maryland (Ms.
Elfreth) 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 to
add extraneous material on S. 603, the bill under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Arkansas?
There was no objection.
Mr. WESTERMAN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 603, which would designate the
George C. Marshall House in Virginia as an affiliated area of the
National Park System.
[[Page H5582]]
General George C. Marshall was a war hero, statesman, master
strategist, and one of the most important figures in modern American
history. From his distinguished service in both World Wars to his
prominent role in shaping the postwar peace, he was the rare American
whose service touched every dimension of national strength.
This bill recognizes George Marshall's legacy and ensures that
Americans can continue to draw inspiration from his story by
designating his historic home and estate as an affiliated area of the
National Park System. This designation conveys honor and recognition
while keeping the estate's management and fiscal responsibilities
within the George C. Marshall International Center. This bill does not
put property under Federal management or add to the Federal estate.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this
legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. ELFRETH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, S. 603 would establish the General George C. Marshall
House, the home of one of America's most influential historical
figures, as an affiliated area of the National Park System.
This would provide a deserved national recognition and allow the
George Marshall House to receive technical assistance and limited
financial aid from the National Park Service.
General Marshall lived at the residence in Leesburg, Virginia,
between 1941 and 1959, critical years during his career.
He held an impressive resume, serving as Chief of Staff of the Army,
special envoy to China, Secretary of State, Secretary of Defense, and
president of the American Red Cross.
He was renowned for organizing the Allied victory in World War II and
for his dedication to rebuilding European economies and democracies
through the Marshall Plan, which earned him the Nobel Peace Prize.
His home was designated a historical landmark in 1996 for the
National Park Service, and then, after a 10-year, $7 million
restoration, it became a public museum on Veterans Day in 2005.
The home meets all requirements for designation as an affiliated area
of the National Park System, and the designation authorized by S. 603
will ensure that the contributions and values of George Marshall are
recognized and commemorated by all Americans. I cannot wait to visit.
Mr. Speaker, I would be remiss if I did not mention that this is the
second time that the House has passed this bill. Back in May of this
year, we sent the Senate H.R. 1352, the House companion introduced by
Representative Subramanyam. Instead of passing our bill and sending it
to the President for his signature, the Senate passed its own version
after a disconnect among Republican leadership. But we should not let
this infighting get in the way of a good thing.
Again, I thank Representative Subramanyam and all members of the
George C. Marshall International Center for their dedication to
preserving the history and legacy of General Marshall.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support S. 603, and I reserve
the balance of my time.
Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time. I am
prepared to close, and I join my colleague in her frustration with the
Senate. I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. ELFRETH. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I urge my colleagues, despite
the bureaucracy, to support the legislation, and I yield back the
balance of my time.
Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support S. 603,
and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Yakym). The question is on the motion
offered by the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Westerman) that the House
suspend the rules and pass the bill, S. 603.
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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