[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 15]
[House]
[Pages 20738-20739]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  DIRECTING THE SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR TO CONDUCT A BOUNDARY STUDY 
 EVALUATING THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE COLONEL JAMES BARRETT FARM IN THE 
                     COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS

  Mr. RENZI. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill 
(H.R. 394) to direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a 
boundary study to evaluate the significance of the Colonel James 
Barrett Farm in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the suitability 
and feasibility of its inclusion in the National Park System as part of 
the Minute Man National Historical Park, and for other purposes, as 
amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                                H.R. 394

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

     SECTION 1. BOUNDARY ADJUSTMENT STUDY.

       (a) Definitions.--For the purposes of this Act:
       (1) Barrett's farm.--The term ``Barrett's Farm'' means the 
     Colonel James Barrett Farm listed on the National Register of 
     Historic Places, including the house and buildings on the 
     approximately 6 acres of land in Concord, Massachusetts.
       (2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of the Interior.
       (b) Study.--Not later than 2 years after the date that 
     funds are made available for this section, the Secretary 
     shall conduct a boundary study to evaluate the significance 
     of Barrett's Farm in Concord, Massachusetts, as well as the 
     suitability and feasibility of its inclusion in the National 
     Park System as part of Minute Man National Historical Park.
       (c) Content of Study.--The study shall include an analysis 
     of the following:
       (1) The significance of Barrett's Farm in relation to the 
     Revolutionary War.
       (2) Opportunities for public enjoyment of the site as part 
     of the Minute Man National Historical Park.
       (3) Any operational, management, and private property 
     issues that need to be considered if Barrett's Farm were 
     added to the Minute Man National Historical Park.
       (4) A determination of the feasibility of administering 
     Barrett's Farm considering its size, configuration, 
     ownership, costs, and other factors, as part of Minute Man 
     National Historical Park.
       (5) An evaluation of the adequacy of other alternatives for 
     management and resource protection of Barrett's Farm.
       (d) Submission of Report.--Upon completion of the study, 
     the Secretary shall submit a report on the findings of the 
     study to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the 
     Senate and the Committee on Resources of the House of 
     Representatives.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Arizona (Mr. Renzi) and the gentlewoman from Guam (Ms. Bordallo) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Renzi).


                             General Leave

  Mr. RENZI. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks 
and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Arizona?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. RENZI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker H.R. 394, introduced by the gentleman from Massachusetts 
(Mr. Meehan) and amended by the Committee on Resources, would direct 
the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a boundary study to determine 
the significance of the Colonel James Barrett Farm in the Commonwealth 
of Massachusetts and its feasibility for inclusion as part of the 
Minute Man National Historical Park. During the Revolutionary War, the 
5-acre farm was instrumental for its role as a storage station for 
cannons, gunpowder, and other munitions.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of the bill, and I reserve the balance 
of my time.
  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, the majority has already explained the purpose of H.R. 
394, which was introduced by the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. 
Meehan). Barrett's Farm is a significant historical resource, as 
evidenced by its previous designation on the National Register of 
Historic Places.
  The British marched out of Boston in April of 1775 looking for 
munitions stored by colonists at Barrett's Farm. They found neither the 
munitions nor the farmer's owner, James Barrett, leader of the 
Middlesex militia, who was to soon meet the British at North Bridge 
where, as Emerson wrote, ``The embattled farmers stood and fired the 
shot heard around the world.''
  The gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Meehan) is to be commended for 
his leadership on H.R. 394. Many individuals and organizations 
recognize the historical importance of Barrett's Farm and support this 
legislation. It is our hope that this study authorized by H.R. 394 will 
determine the most appropriate means to preserve and interpret this 
important aspect of our Nation's history.
  Mr. Speaker, with that, we support H.R. 394 as a means to help 
preserve the history of Barrett's Farm and its role in the start of the 
American revolution, and urge adoption of the legislation by the House 
today.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman 
from Massachusetts (Mr. Meehan).
  Mr. MEEHAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Guam for 
yielding me this time. I also thank the gentleman from Arizona for his 
comments on this legislation. This legislation begins the process of 
further protecting an important part of American history.

[[Page 20739]]

  Colonel James Barrett's farm, located in the town of Concord, 
Massachusetts, is already listed on the National Register for Historic 
Places for its significance. My legislation calls for a boundary study 
to evaluate adding Barrett's Farm to the Minute Man National Historic 
Park, which would forever protect it from development.
  As the gentlewoman from Guam has indicated, a brief history of 
Barrett's Farm explains why its addition to the Minute Man National 
Historic Park would be appropriate.
  Colonel James Barrett was the commander of the militia in Middlesex 
during the Revolutionary War. His farm was a central depot where the 
American revolutionaries stored cannons, gunpowder, and other 
munitions.
  On April 19, 1775, General Thomas Gage, the commander of all British 
forces in North America, ordered 700 of his troops to march to 
Barrett's Farm to destroy the supplies stored there. We all know the 
story of what happened next.
  The colonists learned of the British plot ahead of time and sent a 
Boston silversmith, Paul Revere, into the night to call his countrymen 
to arms. Immediately, the citizens of Concord started hiding the town's 
supplies. Colonel Barrett's sons plowed his fields and hid munitions in 
the furrows. By the time the British reached the farm, the colonial 
militia had taken up position, ready to strike at the British Army.
  Ultimately, the colonists and the British came to blows at the North 
Bridge in Concord, where ``the shot heard around the world'' was fired, 
launching our war for independence.
  The citizens of Concord knew the area, had the manpower and weapons, 
and sent the Redcoats running, dealing a harsh blow to the British 
Army.
  Thirty years ago, Barrett's Farm was listed on the National Register 
of Historic Places. Even in Massachusetts, where most places can be 
called historic, Barrett's Farm stands out as an icon of American 
history.
  Minute Man National Historic Park encompasses 967 acres, including 
the North Bridge, Lexington Green, and the Battle Road Trail, where the 
British traveled and advanced and retreated.
  Including Barrett's Farm within the boundaries of Minute Man Park 
would add an integral part of this storied battle. Barrett's Farm was 
the impetus for the British advance and vigorous work of Colonel 
Barrett, and his militia was a reason why the British retreated.
  This battle has become iconic of American history and every piece of 
that story should be preserved. By adding the farm to the Minute Man 
National Historic Park and placing it in the able oversight of the 
National Park Service, we can ensure that this important piece of our 
history will be enjoyed for generations to come.
  Passing today's legislation, which authorizes a study to this end, is 
the first step towards reaching the goal.
  We would not have the opportunity to pass the bill today if it were 
not for the hard work of many people who have ensured the story of 
Colonel James Barrett be told. First and foremost is Anna Winter, the 
director of Save Our Heritage, a nonprofit group dedicated to 
preserving the grand history of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Anna 
and her colleagues are the driving force behind the effort to protect 
places like Walden Pond and Barrett's Farm.
  I would also like to recognize the efforts of Nancy Nelson, the 
superintendent of Minute Man National Park. Nancy's tireless efforts to 
maximize the impact of the park have created not only a spot of 
extraordinary beauty, but also have preserved the land in which our 
freedom was won. Because of Nancy and her colleagues at the National 
Park Service, our children can learn the history of our Nation while 
walking the same steps as those patriots did centuries ago.
  I would also like to thank the staff of the Trust for Public Land, a 
hardworking group of people that highly values the conservation of all 
lands for historical sites and community parks to wilderness areas. For 
over 30 years, the Trust has helped more than 2,700 conservation 
projects come to fruition, each project representing a community like 
Concord, trying to beautify and protect its natural history.
  Finally I would like to thank the gentleman from California (Chairman 
Pombo) and the gentleman from West Virginia (Ranking Member Rahall) for 
bringing this important bill to the floor, and I deeply appreciate the 
effort of my colleagues.
  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. RENZI. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Renzi) that the House suspend the rules and 
pass the bill, H.R. 394, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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