To provide for the release of the reversionary interest held by the United States in certain land conveyed by the United States in 1950 for the establishment of an airport in Cook County, Minnesota.

I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2947.

This straightforward, commonsense bill will remedy an unintentional consequence of the restrictive language of the original deed set in Cook County, Minnesota.

In the 1950s, the Secretary of Agriculture granted a deed to the State of Minnesota to build an airport in Cook County. The deed only allowed the land to be used for airport purposes. That made sense at the time, but it now precludes the county from building a connector road on a sliver of the land. The connector project enjoys broad support throughout the community. H.R. 2947 does not seek any appropriation of Federal funds, nor does it authorize the project. It merely only proposes to remove a clause placed in the deed when the land was originally granted. This bill allows Cook County, Minnesota, to manage their own land as they see fit. The bill enjoys bipartisan support of Minnesota Senators and Minnesota State representatives.

I've reached out to the United States Forest Service, and they have responded by saying they have no objections and support this legislation moving forward. I look forward to quickly remedying this problem so that Cook County can create jobs and improve

the lives of its residents and businesses.

I ask for my colleagues to please join me in supporting this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2947) to provide for the release of the reversionary interest held by the United States in certain land conveyed by the United States in 1950 for the establishment of an airport in Cook County, Minnesota.

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.

Once again, we have a problem that should easily be corrected and a bill that does that.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to yield as much time as he may consume to the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Cravaack) to explain his particular piece of legislation.

This is another great solution to a problem that should have been solved at some other level. I appreciate the gentleman for bringing it back.

I urge its adoption, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2947 releases a reversionary interest held by the United States to a parcel of land in Cook County, Minnesota. The release of this interest will allow Cook County to use this land for a local highway.

We have no objections to this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Agriculture Committee be discharged from further consideration of H.R. 2947 and the Senate proceed to its consideration.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the bill be read the third time and passed, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, with no intervening action or debate, and any related statements be printed in the Record.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that H.R. 2947 be discharged from the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and be referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.