To direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a boundary study to evaluate the significance of the Colonel James Barrett Farm in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the suitability and feasibility of its inclusion in the National Park System as part of the Minute Man National Historical Park, and for other purposes.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Finance be authorized to meet during the session on Thursday, April 6, 2006, at 10:30 a.m., in 215 Dirksen Senate Office Building, to hear testimony on ``Health Care Coverage for Small Business: Challenges and Opportunities.''

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Finance be authorized to meet during the session on Thursday, April 6, 2006, at 2:30 p.m., in 215 Dirksen Senate Office Building, to hear testimony on ``Saving for the 21st Century: Is America Saving Enough to be Competitive in the Global Marketplace?''.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Foreign Relations be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Thursday, April 6, 2006, at 2 p.m. to hold a hearing on Nominations.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on the Judiciary be authorized to meet to conduct a markup on Thursday, April 6, 2006, at 10 a.m. in the Dirksen Senate Office Building Room 226.

I. Nominations

Norman Randy Smith, to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit; Steven G. Bradbury, to be an Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Legal Counsel; Timothy Anthony Junker, to be United States Marshal for the Northern District of Iowa.

II. Bills

S. 489, Federal Consent Decree Fairness Act, Alexander, Kyl, Cornyn, Graham, Hatcher;

S. 2039, Prosecutors and Defenders Incentive Act of 2005, Durbin, Specter, DeWine, Leahy, Kennedy, Feinstein, Feingold, Schumer;

S. 2292, A bill to provide relief for the Federal judiciary from excessive rent charges, Specter, Leahy, Cornyn, Feinstein, Biden;

S. 2453, National Security Surveillance Act of 2006, Specter;

S. 2455, Terrorist Surveillance Act of 2006, DeWine, Graham;

S. 2468, A bill to provide standing for civil actions for declaratory and injunctive relief to persons who refrain from electronic communications through fear of being subject to warrantless electronic surveillance for foreign intelligence purposes, and for other purposes, Schumer.

III. Matters

S.J. Res. 1, Marriage Protection Amendment, Allard, Sessions, Kyl, Hatch, Cornyn, Coburn, Brownback;

S. Res. 398, A resolution relating to the censure of George W. Bush, Feingold.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on the Judiciary be authorized to meet to conduct a hearing on ``Orphan Works: Proposals for a Legislative Solution'' on Thursday, April 6, 2006, at 2 p.m. in Room 226 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building.

Panel I: Jule L. Sigall, Associate Register for Policy & International Affairs, U.S. Copyright Office, Washington, DC; Victor S. Perlman, Managing Director and General Counsel, American Society of Media Photographers, Inc., Philadelphia, PA; June Cross, Documentary Filmmaker, Visiting Professor, Columbia University, New York, NY; Brad Holland, Founding Board Member, Illustrators' Partnership of America, Marshfield, MA; Maria Pallante-Hyun, Associate General Counsel and Director of Licensing, The Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation (Guggenheim Museum), New York, NY; Thomas C. Rubin, Associate General Counsel, Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, VA; Rick Prelinger, Board President, Internet Archive, San Francisco, CA.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Veterans' Affairs be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Thursday, April 6, 2006, for a committee hearing to examine the VA's 5-year capital construction plan. The hearing will take place in room 418 of the Russell Senate Office Building at 2 p.m.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Select Committee on Intelligence be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on April 6, 2006, at 2:30 p.m. to hold a closed briefing.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Special Committee on Aging be authorized to meet tomorrow, April 6, 2006, from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. in Dirksen 106 for the purpose of conducting a hearing.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, and International Security be authorized to meet on Thursday, April 6, 2006, at 2:30 p.m. for a hearing regarding ``The Effectiveness of the Small Business Administration.''

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Subcommittee on National Parks be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Thursday, April 6 at 2:30 p.m.

The purpose of the hearing is to recent testimony on the following bills: S. 1510, a bill to designate as wilderness certain lands within the Rocky Mountain National Park in the State of Colorado; S. 1719 and H.R. 1492, bills to provide for the preservation of the historic confinement sites where Japanese Americans were detained during World War II, and for other purposes; S. 1957, a bill to authorize the Secretary of Interior to convey to the Missouri River Basin Lewis and Clark Interpretive Trail and Visitor Center Foundation, Inc. certain Federal land associated with the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail in Nebraska, to be used as an historical interpretive site along the trail; S. 2024 and H.R. 394, bills to direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study to evaluate the significance of the Colonel James Barrett Farm in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and assess the suitability and feasibility of including the farm in the National Park System as part of the Minute Man National Historic Park, and for other purposes; S. 2252, a bill to designate the National Museum of Wildlife Art, located at 2820 Rungius Road, Jackson, WY, as the National Museum of Wildlife Art of the United States; and S. 2403, a bill to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to include in the boundaries of the Grand Teton National Park land and interests in land of the Grand Teton Park subdivision, and for other purposes.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Subcommittee on Seapower be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on April 6, 2006, at 2:30 p.m., in open session to receive testimony on Navy shipbuilding in review of the defense authorization request for fiscal year 2007.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Subcommittee on Strategic Forces be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on April 6, 2006, at 3:30 p.m., in open session to receive testimony on military space programs in review of the defense authorization request for fiscal year 2007.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the National Ocean Policy Study be authorized to meet on Thursday, April 6, 2006, at 10 a.m., on Offshore Aquaculture.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Guam for yielding me this time. I also thank the gentleman from Arizona for his comments on this legislation. This legislation begins the process of further protecting an important part of American history.

Colonel James Barrett's farm, located in the town of Concord, Massachusetts, is already listed on the National Register for Historic Places for its significance. My legislation calls for a boundary study to evaluate adding Barrett's Farm to the Minute Man National Historic Park, which would forever protect it from development.

As the gentlewoman from Guam has indicated, a brief history of Barrett's Farm explains why its addition to the Minute Man National Historic Park would be appropriate.

Colonel James Barrett was the commander of the militia in Middlesex during the Revolutionary War. His farm was a central depot where the American revolutionaries stored cannons, gunpowder, and other munitions.

On April 19, 1775, General Thomas Gage, the commander of all British forces in North America, ordered 700 of his troops to march to Barrett's Farm to destroy the supplies stored there. We all know the story of what happened next.

The colonists learned of the British plot ahead of time and sent a Boston silversmith, Paul Revere, into the night to call his countrymen to arms. Immediately, the citizens of Concord started hiding the town's supplies. Colonel Barrett's sons plowed his fields and hid munitions in the furrows. By the time the British reached the farm, the colonial militia had taken up position, ready to strike at the British Army.

Ultimately, the colonists and the British came to blows at the North Bridge in Concord, where ``the shot heard around the world'' was fired, launching our war for independence.

The citizens of Concord knew the area, had the manpower and weapons, and sent the Redcoats running, dealing a harsh blow to the British Army.

Thirty years ago, Barrett's Farm was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Even in Massachusetts, where most places can be called historic, Barrett's Farm stands out as an icon of American history.

Minute Man National Historic Park encompasses 967 acres, including the North Bridge, Lexington Green, and the Battle Road Trail, where the British traveled and advanced and retreated.

Including Barrett's Farm within the boundaries of Minute Man Park would add an integral part of this storied battle. Barrett's Farm was the impetus for the British advance and vigorous work of Colonel Barrett, and his militia was a reason why the British retreated.

This battle has become iconic of American history and every piece of that story should be preserved. By adding the farm to the Minute Man National Historic Park and placing it in the able oversight of the National Park Service, we can ensure that this important piece of our history will be enjoyed for generations to come.

Passing today's legislation, which authorizes a study to this end, is the first step towards reaching the goal.

We would not have the opportunity to pass the bill today if it were not for the hard work of many people who have ensured the story of Colonel James Barrett be told. First and foremost is Anna Winter, the director of Save Our Heritage, a nonprofit group dedicated to preserving the grand history of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Anna and her colleagues are the driving force behind the effort to protect places like Walden Pond and Barrett's Farm.

I would also like to recognize the efforts of Nancy Nelson, the superintendent of Minute Man National Park. Nancy's tireless efforts to maximize the impact of the park have created not only a spot of extraordinary beauty, but also have preserved the land in which our freedom was won. Because of Nancy and her colleagues at the National Park Service, our children can learn the history of our Nation while walking the same steps as those patriots did centuries ago.

I would also like to thank the staff of the Trust for Public Land, a hardworking group of people that highly values the conservation of all lands for historical sites and community parks to wilderness areas. For over 30 years, the Trust has helped more than 2,700 conservation projects come to fruition, each project representing a community like Concord, trying to beautify and protect its natural history.

Finally I would like to thank the gentleman from California (Chairman Pombo) and the gentleman from West Virginia (Ranking Member Rahall) for bringing this important bill to the floor, and I deeply appreciate the effort of my colleagues.

Mr. President, I would like to announce for the information of the Senate and the public that a hearing has been scheduled before the Subcommittee on National Parks of the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

The hearing will be held on Thursday, April 6, 2006, at 2:30 p.m. in room SD-366 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building in Washington, DC.

The purpose of the hearing is to receive testimony on the following bills: S. 1510, a bill to designate as wilderness certain lands within the Rocky Mountain National Park in the State of Colorado; S. 1719 and H.R. 1492, bills to provide for the preservation of the historic confinement sites where Japanese Americans were detained during World War II, and for other purposes; S. 1957, a bill to authorize the Secretary of Interior to convey to The Missouri River Basin Lewis and Clark Interpretive Trail and Visitor Center Foundation, Inc. certain Federal land associated with the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail in Nebraska, to be used as

an historical interpretive site along the trail; S. 2034 and H.R. 394, bills to direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study to evaluate the significance of the Colonel James Barnett Farm in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and assess the suitability and feasibility of including the farm in the National Park System as part of the Minute Man National Historical Park, and for other purposes; S. 2252, a bill to designate the National Museum of Wildlife Art, located at 2820 Rungius Road, Jackson, Wyoming, as the National Museum of Wildlife Art of the United States; and S. 2403, a bill to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to include in the boundaries of the Grand Teton National Park land and interests in land of the Grand Teton Park Subdivision, and for other purposes.

Because of the limited time available for the hearing, witnesses may testify by invitation only. However, those wishing to submit written testimony for the hearing record should send two copies of their testimony to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, United States Senate, SD-364 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510-6150.

For further information, please contact Tom Lillie, David Szymanski, or Sara Zecher.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, the majority has already explained the

purpose of H.R. 394, which was introduced by the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Meehan). Barrett's Farm is a significant historical resource, as evidenced by its previous designation on the National Register of Historic Places.

The British marched out of Boston in April of 1775 looking for munitions stored by colonists at Barrett's Farm. They found neither the munitions nor the farmer's owner, James Barrett, leader of the Middlesex militia, who was to soon meet the British at North Bridge where, as Emerson wrote, ``The embattled farmers stood and fired the shot heard around the world.''

The gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Meehan) is to be commended for his leadership on H.R. 394. Many individuals and organizations recognize the historical importance of Barrett's Farm and support this legislation. It is our hope that this study authorized by H.R. 394 will determine the most appropriate means to preserve and interpret this important aspect of our Nation's history.

Mr. Speaker, with that, we support H.R. 394 as a means to help preserve the history of Barrett's Farm and its role in the start of the American revolution, and urge adoption of the legislation by the House today.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Meehan).

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 394) to direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a boundary study to evaluate the significance of the Colonel James Barrett Farm in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the suitability and feasibility of its inclusion in the National Park System as part of the Minute Man National Historical Park, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which 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. 394, introduced by the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Meehan) and amended by the Committee on Resources, would direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a boundary study to determine the significance of the Colonel James Barrett Farm in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and its feasibility for inclusion as part of the Minute Man National Historical Park. During the Revolutionary War, the 5-acre farm was instrumental for its role as a storage station for cannons, gunpowder, and other munitions.

Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of the bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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