Lake Mattamuskeet Lodge Preservation Act

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5094) to require the conveyance of Mattamuskeet Lodge and surrounding property, including the Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge headquarters, to the State of North Carolina to permit the State to use the property as a public facility dedicated to the conservation of the natural and cultural resources of North Carolina.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 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. 5094 will transfer title to Mattamuskeet Lodge from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to the State of North Carolina.

This historic facility, built by the WPA in 1937, is on the National Registry of Historic Places and is located on the Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge in Hyde County, North Carolina. For years, the lodge served as a cultural focal point in eastern North Carolina, as local residents gathered at the facility for high school proms, weddings, and other community events. Duke University, East Carolina University, and Notre Dame and other universities also used the lodge as a research center to study the area's pristine coastal ecology wildlife. Sadly, 5 years ago the lodge was closed to the public because of dangerous structural problems.

In response, Senator Jesse Helms and I repeatedly urged the Fish and Wildlife Service to budget money for restoration of the lodge. When that effort failed, we obtained $4.1 million in Federal funds to fix the problem. Regrettably, the Interior Department took most of the money to fight wildfires out west, and then refused to replace it.

As a result, North Carolina State Senate President Marc Basnight and I began to work on the idea of transferring the lodge to the State of North Carolina so it could be restored and reopened. We worked with the State administration and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and H.R. 5094 represents an agreement between all parties. In fact, in the Resources Committee hearing on the bill, the Fish and Wildlife Service testified in support of the bill, saying: ``This legislation removes a significant obligation for the Service.''

It is unfortunate that the lodge was allowed to deteriorate. H.R. 5094 is essential because, until the title is conveyed to the State of North Carolina, the process of restoring this landmark facility cannot begin.

I urge an ``aye'' vote on this bill.

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

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

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

(Mr. GRIJALVA asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. Speaker, we on this side of the aisle have no objection to this legislation which has been adequately explained by the majority. I would add that this conveyance comes at no cost to the Federal taxpayer. Furthermore, this legislation will remove a costly maintenance burden from the budget of this particular national wildlife refuge, and will ensure that this historic structure remains a public landmark benefiting the people of the region.

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

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate en bloc consideration of five bills received from the House: H.R. 5539, H.R. 138, H.R. 479, H.R. 5094, and H.R. 5381.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the bills be read the third time and passed, a motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, and any statements relating to the bills be printed in the Record, all en bloc.