To amend the National Trails System Act to update the feasibility and suitability study originally prepared for the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail and provide for the inclusion of new trail segments, land components, and campgrounds associated with that trail, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank both gentlemen, the gentleman from Arizona and the gentleman from West Virginia, certainly the chairman of the full committee, Mr. Pombo, the subcommittee chairman, the ranking member of the subcommittee as well, and everyone who has worked on this bill. I am very proud to be the lead sponsor of H.R. 3085. I think it is a very important issue for the Congress to take up, and I urge all of my colleagues to vote for it.

H.R. 3085, the Trail of Tears Study Act, is cosponsored by 20 of my colleagues, all from districts and States in which the additional components are located. I would also like to add that S. 1970, the Senate companion bill, is sponsored by Senator Tom Coburn and cosponsored by the majority leader, Bill Frist, and Senator Lamar Alexander.

As a consequence of the Indian Removal Act of 1830, a detachment led by John Benge traveled 734 miles starting at Fort Payne, Alabama, and continuing through Tennessee, Kentucky, Missouri, Arkansas and Oklahoma.

The treaty party group, led by John A. Bell, traveled 765 miles, starting at Charleston, Tennessee, traveling through 10 counties in Tennessee, passing through Arkansas, and on to Oklahoma. Also included are 29 forts and immigration depots located near Fort Payne, Alabama; Ross's Landing, present-day Chattanooga; and Fort Cass, present-day Charleston, Tennessee, where the Cherokee initially were taken after being rounded up from their homes.

Consequently, the intent of H.R. 3085 is to study an expansion of the current Trail of Tears National Historic Trail, which Congress designated in 1987, to include these additional documented components into the National Trails System Act.

The proposed additions have been documented by the National Park Service historians, military journals and newspaper accounts. The bill directs the Secretary of the Interior to complete within 6 months the remaining criteria necessary to determine the designation of additional routes to the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail.

Even today, many interpretation activities along the Trail of Tears seek to remember the historic routes taken by the Benge detachment and the Bell Treaty party as we are considering inclusion in the National Trails System.

I want to be very clear that it is my intent that this legislation respect private property rights absolutely. I believe the National Park Service has demonstrated strong partnerships geared toward respecting the private property of citizens and administration of the current Trail of Tears National Historic Trail and will continue to do so upon the addition of these routes.

The designation and interpretation of the sites and trails associated with the Cherokee removal will enhance public understanding of American history. Our greatness as a Nation is our ability to look at our own history objectively and in proper perspective, being mindful of the errors of the past in order not to repeat them.

Through this legislation, we will honor the historic footsteps taken by the Cherokee, document their courage, and highlight their character as a great tribe of strong people.

Finally, because of historical significance, H.R. 3085 enjoys broad support not only within Congress, but also with the Cherokee Nation, the Eastern Band of Cherokee and associated trail organizations such as the Trail of Tears Association. This legislation is a wonderful example of how Congress can better understand a national event through commemoration of the Cherokee story.

I believe the Secretary of Interior will find that the additional routes meet the historical significance, suitability, and feasibility required by the National Park Service for designation as part of the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail.

On June 29 of last year, I introduced H.R. 3085 at a press conference with Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation Chadwick Smith, the Vice Chief of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Nation Larry Blythe, the Trail of Tears Association, and many of the original cosponsors like Congressmen Charles Taylor, Jimmy Duncan, Tom Cole, Marion Berry and Lincoln Davis.

I would like to thank Rob Howarth and the entire National Park Service staff, the staff of the House Resources Committee and the subcommittee, and my legislative director, Melissa Chapman, for a job very well done.

I would also like to say anecdotally, in east Tennessee we are claiming the Trail of Tears as part of our heritage, as part of our strength. On the Tennessee River, we have the Moccasin Bend National Archeological District now being implemented by the National Park Service. We have the passage at Ross's Landing, which is an extraordinary waterfall leading down to the Tennessee River, which in Cherokee art tells the story of the Trail of Tears. Up river at Blythe Ferry we have the Cherokee Memorial Park under construction, where 8,000 Cherokee all crossed the Tennessee River at the same time, and now the Trail of Tears Documentation Act. So we are very grateful for the cooperation and participation we have had.

Mr. Speaker, I urge passage

Mr. Speaker, I just want to thank Chairman Pombo, Chairman Radanovich, Ranking Member Herseth, all of the staffs involved for their work through the Resources Committee and subcommittees on this bill. I would also like to thank my Senate cosponsors, Senator Coburn, Senator Frist, and majority leader Senator Alexander for their involvement as well. I am very proud to be the lead sponsor of H.R. 3085. Completing the story of the Cherokee removal is an important issue for Congress to address. I urge all of my colleagues to vote for it.

I understand we are going to have a recorded vote on this. We are under suspensions, and I am going to need the votes. I am going to ask everyone to come and vote for this.

It has been cosponsored by 20 of my colleagues, all from districts and States in which the additional components are located. I would also like to add that S. 1970, the Senate companion bill, was sponsored by Coburn, Frist, and Alexander.

As a consequence of the Indian Removal Act of 1830, a detachment led by John Benge traveled 734 miles starting at Fort Payne, Alabama, continuing through Tennessee, Kentucky, Missouri, Arkansas, and Oklahoma.

The treaty party group led by John A. Bell traveled 765 miles starting at Charleston, Tennessee, traveling through Arkansas, collectively passing through 10 counties in Tennessee eventually.

Also included are 29 forts and the emigration depots located near Fort Payne, Alabama; Ross' Landing, present-day Chattanooga, Tennessee; and Fort Cass, present-day Charleston, Tennessee, where the Cherokee initially were taken after being rounded up from their homes.

Consequently, the intent of H.R. 3085 is to study an expansion of the current Trail of Tears National Historic Trail, which Congress designated in 1987, to include these additional documented components in the National Trails System Act. The proposed additions have been documented by National Park Service historians, military journals, and newspaper accounts.

The bill directs the Secretary of the Interior to complete within 6 months the remaining criteria necessary to determine the designation of additional routes to the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail.

Even today, many interpretation activities along the Trail of Tears seek to remember the historic routes taken by the Benge detachment and the Bell Treaty Party as we are considering inclusion in the National Trails System.

I want to be very clear that it is my intent that this legislation respect private property rights absolutely. I believe the National Park Service has demonstrated strong partnerships geared towards respecting the private property of citizens in its administering of the current Trail of Tears National Historic Trail and will continue to do so upon the addition of the routes.

The designation and interpretation of the sites and trails associated with the Cherokee removal will enhance public understanding of American history. Our greatness as a Nation is our ability to look at our own history objectively and in proper perspective, being mindful of the errors of the past in order to not repeat them. Through this legislation we will honor the historic footsteps taken by the Cherokee and celebrate our future as we remember the past.

Finally, because of historical significance, H.R. 3085 enjoys broad support not only within Congress but also within the Cherokee Nation, Eastern Band of Cherokee and associated trail organizations such as the Trail of Tears Association. The legislation is a wonderful example of how we can better understand a national event through commemoration of the Cherokees' story.

I want to thank principle chief of the Cherokee Nation, Chad Smith; principle chief of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Nation, Michell Hicks; and everyone at the National and State Trail of Tears Associations, especially Dr. Duane King and Jack Baker.

In closing, Mr. Speaker, let me say that basically in the last 20 years, we have been missing a big piece of the Trail of Tears. It was enacted by statute 20 years ago, but it was very incomplete. Two major trails were never added, and now that we have that documentation, it is important for history, it is important for the Cherokee Nation, it is important for the future of our country to understand what happened and where this happened, where we forcibly removed thousands upon thousands of Cherokee and forced them to their new land in Oklahoma, many dying along the way.

It is a tragic story, but it is one that cannot be swept under the rug. The Cherokee are a proud people, and I am very proud of the Cherokee blood in my veins, and I urge all of my colleagues to join me today in honoring the Cherokee Nation in this great story of Native Americans who were forced from their homeland but have survived and are even stronger today because of the challenges they have been through and to make this wrong right in the history of America.

Mr. Speaker, I am so pleased that the U.S. House of Representatives is considering H.R. 3085, the Trail of Tears Documentation Act, which I introduced last year with my friend, Representative Zach Wamp. This important legislation has 20 cosponsors from 8 different states and works to preserve an important chapter of our history so others can learn from our past.

The lessons that lie along the Trail of Tears are more than a chapter in a history book. They are the lessons that teach future generations to celebrate diversity rather than to push it into the farthest corners of our country. Only by experiencing this tragedy can we begin to understand why so many Native Americans died along this trail.

The Trail of Tears Documentation Act would encourage the Secretary of the Interior to complete the National Historic Trail of Tears from North Carolina to Oklahoma. The proposed routes include two trails in Arkansas where close to 2,000 Cherokee traveled after the U.S. government forced them to find new land in Indian Territory. The Bell route heads up the Arkansas River from Tennessee through Little Rock and Fort Smith, and the Benge route extends west from Randolph County to Washington County.

Our legislation asks the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a feasibility study of the additional trail segments, emigration depot, and land components currently missing along the historic trail. Once complete, individuals will be able to travel the entire length of the trail and experience interpretations of that period in American history.

It is unacceptable that such a critical part of our history remains a patchwork of missing pieces. As Americans, we need to capture this part of history so we never forget the stories of families torn apart at the hands of our country. By preserving this trail, we will give our children and grandchildren the opportunity to experience this tragedy firsthand and develop a better understanding of what happened to Native Americans in this country.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3085) to amend the National Trails System Act to update the feasibility and suitability study originally prepared for the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail and provide for the inclusion of new trail segments, land components, and campgrounds associated with that trail, and for other purposes, as amended.

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

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

H.R. 3085, introduced by Congressman Zack Wamp of Tennessee and amended by the House Resources Committee, would amend the National Trails System Act to update the feasibility and suitability study originally prepared for the Trail of Tears in 1987 to provide for the inclusion of new trail segments, land components, and campgrounds associated with the trail, particularly the Bell and Benge segments.

As my colleagues are aware, the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail encompasses the primary water route and northern land route used during the forced removal of the Cherokee Nation from its homelands in the Southeast United States to Indian Territory, which is present-day Oklahoma.

I urge adoption of this bill

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Tennessee, Mr. Zack Wamp, the author of the bill.

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

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and concur in the Senate amendment to the bill (H.R. 3085) to amend the National Trails System Act to update the feasibility and suitability study originally prepared for the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail and provide for the inclusion of new trail segments, land components, and campgrounds associated with that trail, and for other purposes.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3085, introduced by Congressman Zach Wamp of Tennessee and amended by the Senate, would amend the National Trails System Act to update a feasibility study originally prepared for the Trail of Tears in 1987.

This new study would examine new trail segments, land components and campgrounds associated with the trail, particularly Bell and Benge Segments.

As my colleagues are aware, the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail encompasses the primary water route and northern land route used during the forced removal of the Cherokee Nation from its homelands in the southeast United States to Indian Territory, which is present-day Oklahoma.

Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of the bill.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Wamp).

Mr. Speaker, I have no other speakers, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.