[House Report 108-161]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]



108th Congress                                                   Report
                        HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
 1st Session                                                    108-161

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        COMMEMORATING THE BICENTENNIAL OF THE LOUISIANA PURCHASE

                                _______
                                

   June 18, 2003.--Referred to the House Calendar and ordered to be 
                                printed

                                _______
                                

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

                              R E P O R T

                             together with

                            ADDITIONAL VIEWS

                     [To accompany H. Con. Res. 21]

    The Committee on Resources, to whom was referred the 
concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 21) commemorating the 
Bicentennial of the Louisiana Purchase, having considered the 
same, report favorably thereon without amendment and recommend 
that the concurrent resolution be agreed to.

                          PURPOSE OF THE BILL

    The purpose of House Concurrent Resolution 21 is to 
commemorate the Bicentennial of the Louisiana Purchase.

                  BACKGROUND AND NEED FOR LEGISLATION

    In 1803, the United States acquired the Louisiana Purchase 
for $15 million, which doubled the size of the country 
overnight (totally 827,987 square miles or nearly 600,000,000 
acres) and brought vast natural resources that had been as yet 
untapped. To quote Tallyrand, ``You have made a noble bargain 
for yourselves and I suppose you will make the most of it.'' 
For the United States, it was only the beginning of an 
expansion that would stretch from the Atlantic Ocean to the 
Pacific Ocean. All or part of fifteen States were created from 
the land acquired in this purchase. It made possible the 
travels of Lewis and Clark, whose invaluable insight into the 
peoples and land beyond the Mississippi River emboldened many 
Americans to search for a new life out West. Around the world, 
the American Frontier became synonymous with the search for 
spiritual, economic, and political freedom. The Louisiana 
Purchase helped shape the American destiny. Commemoration of 
the Louisiana Purchase and the related opening of the West can 
enhance public understanding of the impact of the democratic 
westward expansion on American society.

                            COMMITTEE ACTION

    H. Con. Res. 21 was introduced on January 28, 2003, by 
Congressman David Vitter (R-LA). The bill was referred to the 
Committee on Resources and within the Committee to the 
Subcommittee on National Parks, Recreation and Public Lands. On 
June 11, 2003, the Full Resources Committee met to consider the 
bill. The Subcommittee on National Parks, Recreation and Public 
Lands was discharged from further consideration of the bill by 
unanimous consent. No amendments were offered and the bill was 
then ordered favorably reported to the House of Representatives 
by unanimous consent.

            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 and Article IV, section 3 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. H. Con. Res. 21 is merely a 
bill commemorating the Bicentennial of the Louisiana Purchase 
and no cost is involved.
    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. Con. Res. 21 entails no cost 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.

                            ADDITIONAL VIEWS

                     Congress of the United States,
                                  House of Representatives,
                                     Washington, DC, June 17, 2003.
Chairman Richard Pombo,
Committee on Resources, Longworth House Office Building,
Washington, DC.
    Dear Chairman Pombo: Please accept my statement concerning 
H. Con. Res. 21, Commemorating the Bicentennial of the 
Louisiana Purchase, which was consideration and accepted by 
unanimous consent during the Full Committee Resources Mark-up 
Session held on July 11, 2003.

         It is my pleasure to support H. Con. Res. 21, a 
        resolution Commemorating the Bicentennial of the 
        Louisiana Purchase. Two hundred years ago Thomas 
        Jefferson peacefully purchased the largest land 
        acquisition in American history, which inevitably 
        developed into a prosperous and culturally diverse 
        portion of the heartland of the United States. A 
        significant part of the Louisiana Purchase, the mighty 
        Mississippi River--the lifeline of the nation--plays a 
        pivotal part in the U.S. economy and vital role in the 
        lives and heritage of our people. The people of the 
        great state of Louisiana salute Mr. Jefferson's work 
        and the momentous role of the Louisiana Purchase in our 
        nation's history. May the great spirit and diplomatic 
        altruism of the Louisiana Purchase continue.

    Thank you for your cooperation. With warm regards, I am.
            Very truly yours,
                                              Billy Tauzin,
                                                Member of Congress.

                                
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