[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 2]
[House]
[Pages 2072-2074]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




             GULLAH/GEECHEE CULTURAL HERITAGE ACT AMENDMENT

  Mr. McCLINTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 3004) to amend the Gullah/Geechee Cultural Heritage Act to 
extend the authorization for the Gullah/Geechee Cultural Heritage 
Corridor Commission.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 3004

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

     SECTION 1. EXTENSION OF THE AUTHORIZATION FOR THE GULLAH/
                   GEECHEE CULTURAL HERITAGE CORRIDOR COMMISSION.

       Section 295D(d) of the Gullah/Geechee Cultural Heritage Act 
     (Public Law 109-338; 120 Stat. 1833; 16 U.S.C. 461 note) is 
     amended by striking ``10 years'' and inserting ``15 years''.

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


                             General Leave

  Mr. McCLINTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and 
include extraneous materials on the bill under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. McCLINTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  H.R. 3004, introduced by the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. 
Clyburn), amends the Gullah/Geechee Cultural Heritage Act by extending 
the authorization for the Gullah/Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor 
Commission.
  The corridor exists to preserve and foster the unique cultural 
communities formed by Americans of African descent along the Atlantic 
coastal islands of four States and that existed in relative isolation 
for many generations.
  During those years, a distinct and uniquely American culture evolved, 
a culture that is gradually slipping from us in the march of the modern 
world.
  Although the heritage corridor was authorized through October 12, 
2021, the Commission was only authorized through October 12, 2016. 
Without any legislative change, the corridor will have to be managed by 
a different, as yet unconstituted, entity.
  I urge passage of the measure.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, this bill simply extends the authorization of the 
Gullah/Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor Commission from 10 to 15 
years.
  Congress designated the Gullah/Geechee Heritage Corridor in 2006 to 
promote and interpret the story of African Americans known as Gullah/
Geechee who settled along the coast of North Carolina, South Carolina, 
Georgia, and Florida.
  The enabling legislation for the corridor, while providing a 15-year 
authority for technical and financial assistance, only gave the 
identified local coordinating entity a 10-year authorization. This bill 
matches up the two authorities so the Commission can continue its work.
  I want to thank the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Clyburn) for 
bringing this issue to our attention and all of his work on behalf of 
the Gullah/Geechee Heritage Corridor.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. McCLINTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the 
gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Carter).
  Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 
3004,

[[Page 2073]]

which would extend authorization for the Gullah/Geechee Cultural 
Heritage Corridor Commission through October of 2021.
  The low country and sea islands of our southeastern States, including 
the First Congressional District of Georgia, are home to some of our 
Nation's most treasured cultures. One of the most unique is the Gullah/
Geechee people.
  Over the past three centuries, the Gullah/Geechee people have 
developed and preserved their own distinct language and culture that 
retains many of their African traditions. The Gullah/Geechee Cultural 
Heritage Corridor was created to recognize the cultural contributions 
of the Gullah/Geechee and to assist in preserving and interpreting 
their history, language, folklore, art, and music.
  The Gullah/Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor Commission coordinates 
with local officials and communities to preserve and honor the Gullah/
Geechee heritage for years to come.
  H.R. 3004 would extend the Commission's authorization for an 
additional 5 years so that they may continue their mission of 
preserving the valuable contributions of the Gullah/Geechee culture.
  I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
  Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Clyburn), my distinguished 
colleague.
  Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding me the 
time.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3004, a bill that makes a 
technical change to the Gullah/Geechee Cultural Heritage Act.
  Gullah/Geechee is a blend of African and European language, culture, 
and traditions found along the coast and sea islands of North Carolina, 
South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida, where former slaves began their 
freedom in isolated and remote communities and nurtured unique cultural 
traditions.
  The Gullah/Geechee Cultural Heritage Act, signed into law in 2006, 
created the Gullah/Geechee Heritage Corridor to preserve and protect 
the remaining vestiges of this living culture, which has been 
threatened by development in these coastal communities.
  Called Gullah in the Carolinas and Geechee in Georgia and Florida, 
these enclaves of language and culture provide a significant link to 
African American heritage. As a former history teacher and historic 
preservation advocate, the establishment of the heritage corridor is 
one of my proudest achievements in Congress.
  This bill before us corrects a technical issue by extending the 
authorization of the Commission created by the original legislation to 
coincide with the heritage corridor, which runs to 2021. Without this 
change, the heritage corridor would continue to exist but would need to 
be managed by a new entity, eroding the progress the current Commission 
has made toward implementing its management plan. Enacting this 
legislation will ensure continuity in the management of the corridor so 
that its mission is carried out as efficiently and effectively as 
possible.
  I want to thank the chairman and ranking members of the Committee on 
Natural Resources and Subcommittee on Federal Lands for their support 
of this bill and for moving it swiftly to the House floor today for 
consideration.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to support its passage.
  Mr. McCLINTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
South Carolina (Mr. Rice).

                              {time}  1400

  Mr. RICE of South Carolina. I thank the distinguished gentleman for 
yielding.
  The Gullah/Geechee culture is infused throughout the low country of 
South Carolina. In fact, it is a big part of what makes the low country 
of South Carolina so unique. From Daufuskie on the southern end to 
Little River Neck on the northern end, that culture permeates our 
geography and our people.
  My father's family, my grandfather's family, my brother, and myself 
were raised in the midst of the Gullah/Geechee culture. In all of our 
cities--again, from north to south; in Charleston, Myrtle Beach, and 
Georgetown--you can see those traditions infused throughout those 
communities.
  The traditions of the Gullah/Geechee arts, oral history, literature, 
music, cuisine, and others, have made a distinctive impact on the 
coastal Carolina culture. Growing up on the coast, I have fond memories 
of the Gullah/Geechee people and their way of life.
  Authorizing the Gullah/Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor Commission 
is important to preserving and managing the uniqueness of their 
important traditions. I support the reauthorization of the Commission 
and the passage of H.R. 3004.
  Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. McCLINTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of this measure, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3004, 
to amend the Gullah/Geechee Cultural Heritage Act to extend the 
authorization for the Gullah/Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor 
Commission.
  In 2005, Congress passed legislation--H.R. 694, preserving the 
Gullah/Geechee Cultural Heritage.
  This law also established a Commission, nominated and appointed by 
the Secretary of Interior.
  At the passage of the original Gullah/Geechee Cultural Heritage Act, 
the membership of the commission was limited to a 3 year term.
  The Commission is comprised of 15 members who are recognized experts 
in historic preservation, anthropology, and folklore.
  The Commissioners assist in identifying and preserving sites, 
historical data, artifacts, and objects associated with the Gullah/
Geechee for the benefit and education of the public.
  The purpose of the Gullah/Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor 
Commission is to assist Federal, State, and local authorities in the 
development and implementation of a management plan for those land and 
waters of the Gullah/Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor.
  H.R. 3004 would ensure the continued protection and preservation of 
the history and contributions of the Gullah/Geechee people of Georgia, 
North Carolina, South Carolina, and Florida.
  Lastly, the law stated that the Commission should be terminated after 
10 years.
  H.R. 3004 will extend the authorization of the Gullah/Geechee 
Commission from ``10 years'' to ``15 years''.
  This Black History, the work of the Commission is imperative in 
facilitating the enhancement and preservation of the Gulla/Geechee 
cultural heritage.
  It also continues to facilitate highlighting the important history of 
African Americans with Gullah/Geechee heritage.
  Indeed, the original Act, H.R. 694 as passed was intended to 
recognize the seminal contribution of African American Gullah/Geechee 
made to American culture and history.
  These African Americans settled in the coastal states of South 
Carolina, Georgia, North Carolina, and Florida.
  Since its passage, the Act has facilitated efforts in these 
identified coastal states in interpreting the story and role of the 
Gullah/Geechee.
  Additionally, through the work of the Commission, efforts are now 
underway to preserve the Gullah/Geechee folklore, arts, crafts, and 
music.
  Most critically, the Act and extension of the authorization of the 
tenure of the Commission will further support the work of continued 
identification and preservation of sites, gathering of historical data, 
protection of artifacts, and objects associated with the Gullah/
Geechee.
  The extension of the work of the Commission under the original Act 
and this current legislation will yield benefits of education of the 
general public on the important contribution of the Gullah/Geechee.
  Through the educational outreach work alone, our nation will learn 
about the Heritage Corridor which comprises those lands and waters 
generally depicted on a map entitled ``Gullah/Geechee Cultural Heritage 
Corridor.''
  This is just one prime example of the benefit of the original Act and 
this current extension of the tenure of the Commission, which I rise in 
support of.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from California (Mr. McClintock) that the House suspend the 
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 3004.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the

[[Page 2074]]

rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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