[House Report 107-407]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]




107th Congress                                                   Report
                        HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
 2d Session                                                     107-407

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          HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF AQUIA SANDSTONE QUARRIES

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   April 15, 2002.--Referred to the House Calendar and ordered to be 
                                printed

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  Mr. Hansen, from the Committee on Resources, submitted the following

                              R E P O R T

                       [To accompany H. Res. 261]

    The Committee on Resources, to whom was referred the 
resolution (H. Res. 261) recognizing the historical 
significance of the Aquia sandstone quarries of Government 
Island in Stafford Country, Virginia, for their contributions 
to the construction of the Capital of the United States, having 
considered the same report favorably thereon without amendment 
and recommend that the resolution be agreed to.

                          PURPOSE OF THE BILL

    The purpose of H. Res. 261 is to recognize the historical 
significance of the Aquia sandstone quarries of Government 
Island in Stafford County, Virginia, for their contributions to 
the construction of the Capital of the United States.

                  BACKGROUND AND NEED FOR LEGISLATION

    Our nation's first president, George Washington, a boyhood 
resident of Stafford County, Virginia, chose the county's Aquia 
sandstone quarries from which to build the United States 
Capital. His intent was to have a capital city that was equal 
to or exceeded the beauty and majesty of the capitals of 
Europe. H. Res 261 would also honor George Washington's boyhood 
home in Stafford County, Virginia. Early slaves mined the 
quarry from which giant blocks were removed by oxen and 
transported on sailing ships up the Potomac to Washington, DC. 
This stone was used on the Capitol, the White House and 
numerous other public buildings in the District of Columbia. 
The land was later named Government Island and is now 
surrounded by the local community of Aquia Harbor. Currently, 
new trails have made the island more accessible and two fall 
festivals have been held, commemorating its historic, 
educational and recreational value.

                            COMMITTEE ACTION

    H. Res 261 was introduced on October 11, 2001 by 
Congresswoman Jo Ann Davis (R-VA). The bill was referred to the 
Committee on Resources, and within the Committee to the 
Subcommittee on National Parks, Recreation, and Public Lands. 
On February 7, 2002, the Subcommittee held a hearing on the 
bill. On March 7, 2002, the Subcommittee met to mark up the 
bill. The resolution was adopted and forwarded to the Full 
Committee by voice vote. On March 20, 2002, the Full Resources 
Committee met to consider the bill. The bill was ordered 
favorably reported to the House of Representatives by voice 
vote.

            COMMITTEE OVERSIGHT FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

    Regarding clause 2(b)(1) of rule X and clause 3(c)(1) of 
rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the 
Committee on Resources' oversight findings and recommendations 
are reflected in the body of this report.

                   CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY STATEMENT

    Article I, section 8 of the Constitution of the United 
States grants Congress the authority to enact this bill.

                    COMPLIANCE WITH HOUSE RULE XIII

    1. Cost of Legislation. Clause 3(d)(2) of rule XIII of the 
Rules of the House of Representatives requires an estimate and 
a comparison by the Committee of the costs which would be 
incurred in carrying out this bill. The Committee has 
determined that this House Resolution entails no costs to the 
federal government.
    2. Congressional Budget Act. As required by clause 3(c)(2) 
of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives and 
section 308(a) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, this 
bill does not contain any new budget authority, spending 
authority, credit authority, or an increase or decrease in 
revenues or tax expenditures.
    3. General Performance Goals and Objectives. This bill does 
not authorize funding and therefore, clause 3(c)(4) of rule 
XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives does not 
apply.
    4. Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate. The Committee 
has determined that H. Res. 261 entails no costs to the federal 
government and therefore, no cost estimate was requested from 
the Congressional Budget Office.

                    COMPLIANCE WITH PUBLIC LAW 104-4

    This bill contains no unfunded mandates.

                PREEMPTION OF STATE, LOCAL OR TRIBAL LAW

    This bill is not intended to preempt any State, local or 
tribal law.

                        CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW

    If enacted, this bill would make no changes in existing 
law.

                                

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