To expand the boundary of the Jimmy Carter National Historic Site in the State of Georgia, to redesignate the unit as a National Historical Park, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1471, which will expand and revitalize the Jimmy Carter National Historic Site, which is located in Plains, Georgia.

My Congressional District in Southwest Georgia includes Plains. Therefore I am pleased to sponsor this bipartisan legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives which, if passed, will bolster the local economy, enhance tourism, and provide people from around the world with a new insight into the life and career of the 39th President of the United States.

H.R. 1471 will expand the national historic site's authorized boundaries from 15 acres to 18 acres and would allow the National Park Service to acquire several additional properties for the park, including a house that the Carter family lived in from 1956-1961. Additionally, the legislation will redesignate the park from a national historic site to a national historical park. It also would direct that the park service preserves, and interprets, a southern agricultural- based rural community during the early to middle years of the 20th century.

Last August, I took my whole staff on a visit to the Jimmy Carter National Historic Site, including his boyhood home and school, so they could get a better feel and understanding of the values that shaped this great Georgian. We listened to the messages recorded by the former President that tell visitors of his experiences as a child and young man and how they influenced his views and values. After touring the Depression-era farm, home and school where he grew into manhood, every one of my staff members, including a number from Georgia and several who are not, told me they were inspired by what they learned about the life of Jimmy Carter, just as I have been.

The eventual passage of this bill will ensure that the Jimmy Carter National Historic Site has the resources it needs to continue to inspire generation after generation of visitors. Additionally, the investments made in this property will positively impact the economic development of Plains and the surrounding Sumter County by providing increased opportunities for tourism.

The Jimmy Carter National Historic Site already does a remarkable job of helping people to understand the values that shaped this great Georgian. This bill will ensure that the site will continue to inspire generations of visitors, as well as grow and positively impact the economies of Plains. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1471.

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

(Mr. YOUNG of Alaska asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. Speaker, it is my understanding that President Carter is heavily involved in the land acquisition and park expansion authorized in this legislation. We have been made aware that one of the properties included in the expansion is a haunted house. This is no Halloween trick. The currently dilapidated structure will be rehabilitated by the National Park Service and eventually be made available to show the public where President Carter lived before his current estate was constructed.

I am also aware that President Carter is an avid hunter. He likes to stalk deer, dove, quail, turkey, and even the occasional squirrel. Fortunately, with the passage of an important Republican gun rights amendment to the Credit Card Reform Act last spring, President Carter will be able to legally transport his firearms to and from his home and clean and load his firearms on his compound within the national park without fear of violating Federal law when this provision goes into effect in February 2010.

Right now, other Americans and the other 391 National Park units would be subject to criminal penalties for these actions.

President Carter has an excellent relationship with the National Park Service, which should be preserved. After all, the agency has the duty to preserve the legacy of his 4 years as President through the conservation of his high school, boyhood home and even his current residence within the park. The National Park Service dutifully handles many important tasks, including the day-to-day maintenance of his property and even of mowing his lawn.

Finally, it has been said that these new acquisitions will complete the story of Mr. Carters life. This is a noble goal. I can only assume that is why the legislation also includes the Federal takeover of Billy Carter's gas station.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1471) to expand the boundary of the Jimmy Carter National Historic Site in the State of Georgia, to redesignate the unit as a National Historical Park, and for other purposes, as amended.

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

Mr. Speaker, the Jimmy Carter National Historic Site in Plains, Georgia, was established in 1987 to preserve the boyhood home and current residence of our 39th President. The former President and his wife have a lifetime tenancy in their home and are actively involved in the work of the park.

The pending measure would expand the current boyhood homesite from 15 acres to 18 acres and allow the National Park Service to acquire several additional properties. The bill would also redesignate the park from a national historic site to a national historic park.

Mr. Speaker, the sponsor of this legislation, Representative Sanford Bishop, is to be commended for his commitment to preserving this important piece of Presidential history. This is an excellent piece of legislation, and I urge Members to support it.

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

Mr. Speaker, I again urge Members to support the bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.