Black Hills Cemetery Act

Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for his work on these important issues. I appreciate it.

Today I rise in support of H.R. 291, the Black Hills Cemetery Act. This bill is of great importance to the communities of the Black Hills area of South Dakota. The Black Hills of South Dakota are home to a number of historic cemeteries. Many of these originated in old mining towns dating back to the 1800s, and they have unique significance to the communities surrounding them. These include the Englewood, Galena, Hayward, Mountain Meadows, Roubaix, Nemo, Rockerville, Silver City, and the Cold Springs cemeteries.

These cemeteries are currently being managed by local cemetery associations and community groups in the

surrounding areas, but have been technically owned by the U.S. Forest Service since the 1900s. This causes unnecessary liability for the U.S. Forest Service because of the responsibility for upkeep and dealing with possible vandalism or damage to property in these cemeteries.

At almost no cost to taxpayers, the Black Hills Cemetery Act would simply transfer ownership of these cemeteries and up to 2 acres of adjacent land to the caretaking communities. They have managed them for generations under special use permits issued by the Forest Service. It also makes clear that these cemeteries will continue to be used for the same purpose as they always have been in the past.

I sponsored this bill at the request of these communities and the current caretakers of the cemeteries, and in consultation with the U.S. Forest Service. In fact, this bill was introduced and passed last year by the House with broad, bipartisan support. I look forward to seeing this bill pass again this year, and pass through the Senate this time so we can resolve this matter for the communities in South Dakota.

I would like to thank the communities and local residents for their help in working with my office and for advocating for this bill. I would also like to thank Chairmen Hastings and Bishop and their staffs for pushing this bill forward for the second time. These communities have been asking for a solution to this situation for a number of years, and as their Representative, I'm glad that we have the opportunity to pass this bill again in the House today.

I want to thank Chairman Young for his leadership as well, and I urge my colleagues to support and pass this bill for these communities in South Dakota.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 291) to provide for the conveyance of certain cemeteries that are located on National Forest System land in Black Hills National Forest, South Dakota.

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 materials on the bill under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from South Dakota (Mrs. Noem), the author of the bill, to explain the bill.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers.

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

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the energy committee be discharged from further consideration of H.R. 291 and H.R. 356; that the Senate proceed to their consideration and the consideration of the following calendar number items en bloc: Calendar No. 256, H.R. 255; Calendar No. 226, H.R. 330; Calendar No. 359, H.R. 507; Calendar No. 353, H.R. 697; Calendar No. 361, H.R. 876; Calendar No. 362, H.R. 1158; Calendar No. 399, H.R. 2337; Calendar No. 369, H.R. 3110; Calendar No. 54, S. 247; Calendar No. 57, S. 311; Calendar No. 60, S. 354; Calendar No. 129, S. 363; Calendar No. 118, S. 476; and Calendar No. 120, S. 609.

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

H.R. 291 conveys cemeteries, currently on Forest Service lands, to communities in South Dakota. These local communities already manage and maintain these cemeteries and the legislation requires that these lands continue to be used for cemetery purposes. We have no objections to the legislation.

With that, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 129 on H.R. 588, I am not recorded because of flight delays. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye.''

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 130 on H.R. 291, I am not recorded because of flight delays. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye.''

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 131 on H.R. 507, I am not recorded because of flight delays. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye.''