[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 12]
[House]
[Pages 16913-16914]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




       SMITHSONIAN CONSERVATION BIOLOGY INSTITUTE ENHANCEMENT ACT

  Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules 
and pass the bill (H.R. 5717) to authorize the Board of Regents of the 
Smithsonian Institution to plan, design, and construct a facility and 
to enter into agreements relating to education programs at the National 
Zoological Park facility in Front Royal, Virginia, and for other 
purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 5717

       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 ``Smithsonian Conservation 
     Biology Institute Enhancement Act''.

     SEC. 2. FACILITY FOR RESEARCH AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS.

       (a) In General.--The Board of Regents of the Smithsonian 
     Institution is authorized to plan, design, and construct a 
     facility on National Zoological Park property in Front Royal, 
     Virginia for the purpose of conducting research and 
     educational programs.
       (b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated to carry out subsection (a)--
       (1) $1,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2010 and 2011; and
       (2) $3,000,000 in the aggregate for all succeeding fiscal 
     years.

     SEC. 3. AGREEMENTS FOR HOUSING AND OTHER SERVICES.

       (a) In General.--The Board of Regents of the Smithsonian 
     Institution is authorized to enter into agreements for the 
     provision of housing and other services to the participants 
     in the programs referenced in section 2.
       (b) Costs.--The housing and other services described in 
     subsection (a) shall be provided at no cost to the 
     Smithsonian Institution.

     SEC. 4. ANIMAL HOLDING FACILITY.

       The Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution is 
     authorized to plan, design, and construct animal holding and 
     related program facilities on National Zoological Park 
     property in Front Royal, Virginia, to be funded from 
     nonfederal sources.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
California (Mrs. Davis) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Daniel 
E. Lungren) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from California.


                             General Leave

  Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that 
all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks 
in the Record and to include extraneous matter on this legislation.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 5717 would upgrade the Smithsonian Institution's 
scientific and educational activities at its unique animal conservation 
facility, the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute at Front 
Royal, Virginia.
  Mr. Speaker, in the interest of time, I understand that there is a 
consensus on this legislation.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. DANIEL E. LUNGREN of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such 
time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure to rise in support of H.R. 5717. Once 
again, we are back in a bipartisan state supporting this bill.
  Mr. Speaker, the Smithsonian Institution is an invaluable part of our 
national heritage and our ongoing commitment to historical preservation 
and scientific advancement. I am pleased to support this legislation 
sponsored by our friend and colleague, Congressman Sam Johnson, and the 
congressional members of the Smithsonian Board of Regents. This 
legislation will help further the institution's founding mission, which 
is to support and increase the diffusion of knowledge.
  This authorizing legislation supports the Smithsonian's important 
biological conservation work conducted at the National Zoological Park 
located in Front Royal, Virginia, and strengthens their collaborative 
partnership with George Mason University in these efforts. The planned 
renovation and construction, which leverages a very modest Federal 
investment with significant non-Federal funds, will enhance the 
education and professional training programs currently underway.

                              {time}  2040

  The Smithsonian is truly a unique part of our American culture. I am 
pleased to support this authorization

[[Page 16914]]

which helps the Smithsonian maintain its well-deserved international 
reputation for excellence in scientific discovery and advancement and 
its continued commitment to the environment that we must steward.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 5717.
  Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5717, the 
``Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute Enhancement Act''.
  H.R. 5717, as amended, authorizes the Smithsonian Institution to 
expand the National Zoological Park facility in Front Royal, Virginia, 
in furtherance of conservation biology research, education and 
training.
  Specifically, this legislation will authorize the Smithsonian to: 
renovate a building to be used primarily for classroom and laboratory 
space; enter into agreements that will enable third party strategic 
partners to construct and operate housing and food service facilities 
on Smithsonian property; and plan, design, and construct animal holding 
facilities--all at the Front Royal property.
  The building renovation project is to be funded equally by Federal 
appropriation, in the amount of $5 million, and by Smithsonian trust 
sources. The housing and food service facilities are to be funded 
entirely by third-party financing. The animal holding facility is to be 
funded entirely from Smithsonian trust sources (i.e., non-Federal 
sources).
  The plans and cost estimates for the building renovation project, for 
which Federal funding is sought, have been carefully reviewed by the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The Committee finds the 
plans and estimates to be reasonable and in consonance with the 
Smithsonian mission to increase the diffusion of knowledge. Further, 
the Smithsonian's plans to partner with a third party, in this 
particular case, George Mason University, to shoulder the capital and 
operating costs of the residential and food service facilities, is a 
sensible and business-savvy way to further the Smithsonian's scientific 
and educational reach.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 5717.
  Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 5717 would upgrade the 
Smithsonian Institution's scientific and educational activities at its 
unique animal conservation facility, the Smithsonian Conservation 
Biology Institute at Front Royal, Virginia. The SCBI, a part of the 
National Zoo, is renowned worldwide for its work preserving and 
breeding endangered species, and is a magnet for prominent researchers 
and students starting careers in related fields. The bill will provide 
additional modern facilities to conduct programs and house students at 
the site, and relocate animal holding facilities for endangered red 
pandas and clouded leopards.
  H.R. 5717 contains three elements. First, the bill would authorize $1 
million in Federal funds in fiscal 2010 which has already been 
appropriated; $1 million in fiscal 2011; and $3 million in later fiscal 
years, to plan, design, and construct a facility which would include 
laboratories and offices to conduct research and educational programs. 
This aggregate authorization of $5 million constitutes the only Federal 
funds provided in the bill. The Smithsonian would supply an additional 
$5 million out of its own privately-raised trust funds to complete the 
project.
  The bill would also authorize the Smithsonian Board of Regents to 
enter into agreements for the provision of housing and dining services 
to participants in the programs, at no cost to the Smithsonian. George 
Mason University, located in northern Virginia, plans to use $20 
million in state revenue bonds to construct a dormitory and cafeteria 
facility at the site. There would not be any cost to the Federal 
government or to the Smithsonian. In October, 2008, the Smithsonian and 
GMU signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish the 
``Smithsonian-Mason Global Conservation Studies Program'', and GMU will 
give course credit to participants.
  The Smithsonian Institution has frequently entered into cooperative 
agreements with other institutions, including universities, though this 
is the first time that it would allow an outside entity to construct a 
building on property it controls. After 30 years, ownership of the GMU-
constructed facilities will pass to the Smithsonian. This no-cost 
feature makes the project an especially attractive addition to the 
Smithsonian's infrastructure.
  Finally, the bill would authorize the Smithsonian to plan, design and 
construct animal holding and related program facilities at Front Royal, 
but without any Federal funding. The cost, estimated to be between $1 
to 2 million, would be paid for entirely by the Smithsonian's 
privately-raised trust funds.
  Mr. Speaker, this legislation was introduced by the three House 
Members who serve on the Smithsonian Board of Regents--Representatives 
Becerra, Matsui and Sam Johnson--and by Rep. Wolf of Virginia, in whose 
district the facility is located. It was considered and reported by 
voice vote both by the primary committee of jurisdiction, the Committee 
on House Administration, and by the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure. I know of no controversy and I urge Members to support 
H.R. 5717.
  Mr. DANIEL E. LUNGREN of California. I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I certainly support the 
Smithsonian in this effort, and I look forward to passage of this 
important legislation.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Davis) that the House suspend the 
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 5717, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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