Wilson's Creek National Battlefield Boundary Adjustment Act of 2004

I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of this legislation. H.R. 4481, the Wilson's Creek National Battlefield Boundary Adjustment Act of 2004, will expand the park boundaries at the site of one of our Nation's most significant Civil War battles. H.R. 4481 has garnered the bipartisan support of the entire Missouri delegation and has received the bipartisan support of the entire House Resources Committee.

On August 10, 1861, just 20 days after the first battle of Bull Run, about 20,000 Union and Confederate soldiers met just west of Springfield, Missouri on the banks of Wilson's Creek. The fight that ensued became the second major engagement of the Civil War, the first major battle west of the Mississippi River, and the first battle where a Union general was killed. Most importantly, however, the battle of Wilson's Creek dealt a decisive blow to the secessionist movement in Missouri and preserved Union control of the State.

When the National Park Service set aside 1,750 acres for the Wilson's Creek National Battlefield in 1960, not all of the land upon which the battle occurred was included nor was all the land that the Park Service recommended to be included put within the boundaries of the park. In fact, only about two-thirds of the battle site currently falls within the park's boundaries. At the time, the land surrounding the park had changed little since the battle took place and still has not had significant development around the park. Today, however, this land is becoming more attractive to developers. The southern portion of the park is located in the fastest growing county in Missouri and pressure to further develop the area will only increase.

With this bill, we have the opportunity to protect an additional 615 acres of this important battle site by authorizing the National Park Service to acquire specific parcels of land surrounding Wilson's Creek through donation, through purchase or exchange with willing landowners. With the acquisition of these parcels, the Wilson's Creek National Battlefield will contain 99 percent of the battle site.

H.R. 4481 will allow the National Park Service also to obtain one of the most valuable and distinctive Civil War collections ever assembled. General Sweeney's Museum of Civil War History, which is located on one of the parcels identified for acquisition, is a privately owned collection of artifacts related to the Civil War in Missouri and Arkansas, and the owners have indicated their eagerness to sell. By the way, those owners have been big supporters of the park in every way for a long time. This collection currently houses approximately 15,000 pieces, including Civil War documents, photographs, letters and diaries. The National Park Service's chief curator, the museum curator at Gettysburg National Park and the staff curator at Harper's Ferry Center have all visited the Sweeney museum. These experts have praised the nature of the collection and confirmed its historical significance. The acquisition of the Sweeney museum, along with the John K. and Ruth Hulston Civil War Research Library, which was established at the park in 1985, will truly make Wilson's Creek National Battlefield an essential spot for historians and others.

H.R. 4481 will add priceless new assets to the Wilson's Creek National Battlefield, preserve the battle site and allow future generations to experience the park just as Americans would have seen it more than 140 years ago. Madam Speaker, on behalf of our delegation and with appreciation to the Committee on Resources, I certainly ask the House to support this important legislation to protect the Wilson's Creek Battlefield and authorize the early addition of this property to the park.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

(Ms. BORDALLO asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Madam Speaker, the majority has already explained the purpose of H.R. 4481. The battle at Wilson's Creek was the first major engagement of the Civil War west of the Mississippi and was important in keeping Missouri in the Union. The National Park Service supports the acquisitions authorized by the bill. The expansion of the national battlefield also has the support of the local community and Civil War historians.

The bill was amended to make several changes that while unnecessary do not undermine the overall purpose of the legislation. As such, we do not object to passage of H.R. 4481 by the House today.

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4481) to amend Public Law 86-434 establishing Wilson's Creek National Battlefield in the State of Missouri to expand the boundaries of the park, and for other purposes, as amended.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may be given 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Blunt), the majority whip.

I thank the gentleman from Missouri and I urge adoption of the bill.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Energy Committee be discharged from the following bills, en bloc: H.R. 3819, S. 1466, H.R. 4481, H.R. 2400, S. 2656, and S. 1433, and the Senate proceed to their immediate consideration, en bloc.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the amendments at the desk be agreed to, the bills, as amended, be read a third time and passed, and the motions to reconsider be laid upon the table, en bloc, and that any statements related to the bills be printed in the Record.