A bill to remove restrictions from a parcel of land in Paducah, Kentucky.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1276) to remove restrictions from a parcel of land in Paducah, Kentucky, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 1276, the bill now under consideration.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this legislation offered by my good friend and the chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, Representative Comer. This legislation would remove Federal deed restrictions from a building and the surrounding parcel of land in Paducah, Kentucky.

For more than six decades, the Oscar Cross Boys & Girls Club of Paducah has provided a safe place for young people in McCracken County, Kentucky, to learn, grow, and thrive. The club is a model of community service, offering affordable mentorship, recreation, and educational opportunities to hundreds of children each year.

Today, the club is ready to make long-overdue improvements, including renovating and expanding its building, adding new classrooms, and refurbishing its gymnasium so that it can serve even more children and bolster its educational and recreational programming.

To do so, the Boys & Girls Club is hoping to acquire the current building and surrounding land from the city of Paducah. However, these plans are stalled by an outdated Federal deed restriction put in place by the National Park Service on the land where the Boys & Girls Club currently operates.

H.R. 1276 removes that restriction, which would, in turn, allow the city of Paducah to transfer the parcel directly to the club.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Comer for working with the Natural Resources Committee to amend this bill during our committee's markup to ensure that this area remains dedicated to public and recreational purposes in perpetuity. This is a commonsense bill that cuts red tape, empowers local leaders, and strengthens a vital community institution. Chairman Comer has played a vital role in leading and representing his community.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1276, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Comer), the lead sponsor of the bill.

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

As has been noted, for more than 60 years, the Oscar Cross Boys and Girls Club of Paducah has provided dedicated service to their community.

H.R. 1276 is a straightforward bill that will enhance this legacy of service by removing an unnecessary Federal deed restriction and allowing the city of Paducah to transfer land directly to the club. This will pave the way for long-planned improvements that will directly benefit Kentucky children and families.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support Chairman Comer's legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of my bill, H.R. 1276, to remove restrictions from a parcel of land in Paducah, Kentucky.

It is an honor to serve the people of Paducah and McCracken County in Congress. One of their community's most impactful institutions, the Oscar Cross Boys & Girls Club has been a cornerstone of support and opportunity for local youth for over 60 years.

The club is located on land currently owned by the city of Paducah, which has held the property since 2012. For over 60 years, the Oscar Cross Boys & Girls Club has been a force for good in Paducah and has had a positive impact on thousands of children who have come through its doors.

Today, the club is facing unprecedented demand. More than 100 children are currently on the waiting list due to space constraints in the existing facility.

Unfortunately, lingering Federal interest in the property dating back to the city's involvement in the Federal Lands to Parks Program decades ago has impeded progress on an exciting renovation project for the local Boys & Girls Club.

Despite strong local support from the city of Paducah and community members, this Federal restriction has hampered efforts to raise funds and begin the renovation process.

H.R. 1276 is a straightforward, commonsense bill that would lift this outdated restriction and allow the city to fully transfer the land to the Oscar Cross Boys and Girls Club. There is no time to waste in making this commonsense fix to enable this project to move forward.

I was proud to collaborate with the city of Paducah, the National Park

Service, and local stakeholders to develop a legislative solution to this issue. It ensures that the Federal Government's unnecessary involvement no longer stands in the way of progress for the children of Paducah and McCracken County.

I thank Senator Paul for introducing the Senate companion bill, S. 601, and Senator McConnell for being an original cosponsor of that legislation. I look forward to working with them to get this bill across the finish line and onto President Trump's desk.

I also thank Chairman Westerman for his support and I urge passage of

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

Mr. Speaker, in 2012, the National Park Service conveyed this 3.62- acre parcel of land in Kentucky to the city of Paducah through the Federal Lands to Parks Program.

This program allows States, counties, and local governments to acquire surplus land for public recreational purposes, an incredibly impactful alternative to the Trump administration's public lands selloff scheme.

Although the land was conveyed to the city, the National Park Service still retains a deed restriction. Today, the parcel is utilized, as you heard, by the Oscar Cross Boys & Girls Club, which provides programming for youth in the community. The club is a central part of the community but faces challenges in accepting new members and a growing wait list due to the need for renovations and expansion of facilities.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1276 would remove the National Park Service's deed restriction, allowing the city of Paducah to transfer the parcel to the club so that they can move forward with the renovations and improvements needed to increase capacity, expand programming, and better serve youth in the community.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the majority for working with us in the markup to add language that ensures that this property continues to serve a public purpose by the Boys & Girls Club. This is an important assurance and guarantee.

Mr. Speaker, I urge support for this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.