[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 7]
[House]
[Pages 9610-9611]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  CELEBRATING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MACKINAC ISLAND STATE PARK 
        COMMISSION'S HISTORICAL PRESERVATION AND MUSEUM PROGRAM

  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 325) celebrating the 50th 
Anniversary of the Mackinac Island State Park Commission's Historical 
Preservation and Museum Program, which began on June 15, 1958, and for 
other purposes.
  The Clerk read the title of the concurrent resolution.
  The text of the concurrent resolution is as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 325

       Whereas the Mackinac Island State Park Commission was 
     created, in 1895, to care for and manage Mackinac Island 
     State Park;
       Whereas Michilimackinac State Park and Mill Creek State 
     Park were later added to the family of parks and historic 
     sites under the authority of the Commission;
       Whereas, in 1958, Michigan granted authority to the 
     Commission to restore and interpret Fort Mackinac and other 
     historical properties at the Straits of Mackinac;
       Whereas, in 1958, the Commission began restoration, 
     installed exhibits, and opened Fort Mackinac to the public;
       Whereas, in 1959, the Commission began archaeological 
     excavation of Colonial Michilimackinac and opened it to the 
     public one year later;
       Whereas, in 1984, the Commission opened Historic Mill Creek 
     Discovery Park;
       Whereas, in 2004, after 14 years of being closed, Old 
     Mackinac Point Lighthouse was reopened with an ongoing 
     restoration program;
       Whereas, for 50 years, the Commission has professionally 
     and successfully developed, promoted, and improved the 
     Mackinac State Historic Parks complex, which has been 
     continuously recognized by the American Association of 
     Museums; and
       Whereas the Mackinac State Historic Parks complex has 
     hosted more than 10,000,000 visitors since 1958, making it 
     one of the most successful historic site complexes in North 
     America and an important contributor to the tourism economy 
     of northern Michigan: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring), That Congress--
       (1) celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Mackinac Island 
     State Park Commission's Historical Preservation and Museum 
     Program; and
       (2) respectfully requests the Clerk of the House of 
     Representatives to transmit an enrolled copy of this 
     resolution to the Mackinac Island State Park Commission as 
     evidence of the Commission successfully fulfilling its 
     mission to protect, preserve, and present the historical and 
     natural wonders of Mackinac Island.

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


                             General Leave

  Ms. BORDALLO. 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 the resolution under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Guam?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  House Concurrent Resolution 325, introduced by our colleague, 
Representative Bart Stupak, celebrates the 50th anniversary of the 
Mackinac Island State Park Commission's Historical Preservation and 
Museum Program.
  Mackinac Island was originally named our Nation's second national 
park in 1875. But it was turned over to the State of Michigan in 1895 
when it became Michigan's first State park, and the Mackinac Island 
State Park Commission was created to care for and manage the park. 
Eighty percent of the island is still managed as a State park to 
preserve its geological wonders, wildlife, and wooded areas.
  In 1958 Michigan granted authority to the commission to restore and 
interpret historical properties in the park. And so today we are 
celebrating the 50th anniversary of those efforts.
  Our colleague Mr. Stupak is to be commended for his efforts on this 
measure.
  Mr. Speaker, I support House Concurrent Resolution 325, and I urge 
its adoption today.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I rise in support of this resolution and commend the gentleman from 
Michigan for offering this resolution that recognizes the 50th 
anniversary of the Mackinac Island State Park Commission's Historical 
Preservation and Museum Program.
  It is very clear that in America we do care about our natural 
resources, our natural beauty, and we find ways to show that. In the 
case of Michigan, this recognizes 50 years of, in fact, applauding and 
preserving the kinds of beauty that exist, I won't say only in 
Michigan, as a native Ohioan, but throughout the Midwest.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support 
of H. Con. Res. 325, celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Mackinac 
Island State Park Commission's Historical Preservation and Museum 
Program. This program is of special importance to the people of my 
state as it has preserved Mackinac's valuable history for generations 
to come.
  From Mackinac's roots as an American Revolutionary War post, a 
battleground during the War of 1812, and a Civil War prison, Mackinac 
has been an important site in shaping American history. It was the 
Historical Preservation and Museum Program which restored the 
remarkable treasure of Fort Mackinac and opened its doors to eager and 
interested tourists in 1958. Now for 50 years, visitors have been able 
to step back in time and experience the setting of the old Northwest 
and frontier.
  In addition to the undeniable preservation undertaken by the Mackinac 
Island State Park Commission's Historical Preservation and Museum 
Program, I value the strong impact the program provides the tourism 
economy of Michigan. Mackinac is a tourist destination because of its 
beautiful scenery and captivating history, and has welcomed more than 
10 million visitors to the Mackinac State Historic Parks since 1958.
  The people of Michigan are blessed to continue to share stories from 
our state that

[[Page 9611]]

shaped the nation. We recognize the vital role the Mackinac Island 
State Park Commission's Historical Preservation and Museum Program has 
played in preserving our noteworthy history and conveying it in such an 
exciting way. The Commission's restoration and reopening of Old 
Mackinac Point Lighthouse in 2004, which further added to the rich 
traditions enjoyed on Michigan's waterways, is another example of 
history coming alive.
  For these reasons and more the Mackinac Island State Park 
Commission's Historical Preservation and Museum Program deserves 
recognition for 50 years of preserving Michigan history while working 
to make history accessible and engaging.
  I urge my colleagues to support the passage of this legislation.
  Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to support H. Con. Res. 325, 
Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Mackinac Island State Park 
Commission's Historical Preservation and Museum Program, which began on 
June 15, 1958.
  In 1958, the State of Michigan granted authority to the Mackinac 
Island State Park Commission to restore and interpret Fort Mackinac and 
other historical properties at the Straits of Mackinac.
  The Mackinac State Historic Parks complex is one of the most 
successful historic site complexes in North America. The Mackinac 
Island State Park Commission helps bring tourism to the Upper Peninsula 
of Michigan and aids the local economy. This resolution commemorates 
the restoration and opening of Fort Mackinac to the public in 1958.
  As a native Michigander, I have always enjoyed the beautiful and 
abundant natural resource that is Mackinac Island. All of my visits to 
Mackinac Island have been rewarding and fulfilling.
  I join my fellow colleagues, in honoring the accomplishments and 
creation of the Mackinac Island State Park Commission's Historical 
Preservation and Museum Program, and to commemorate the 50th 
anniversary by supporting this resolution.
  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I again urge Members to support this 
resolution, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from Guam (Ms. Bordallo) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 325.
  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. ISSA. 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 and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.
  The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.

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