[Pages H10123-H10127]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

PATRIOT ACT

Mr. DOOLITTLE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and concur in
the Senate amendments to the bill (H.R. 659) to authorize
appropriations for the protection of Paoli and Brandywine Battlefields
in Pennsylvania, to direct the National Park Service to conduct a
special resource study of Paoli and Brandywine Battlefields, to
authorize the Valley Forge Museum of the American Revolution at Valley
Forge National Historical Park, and for other purposes.
The Clerk read as follows:

Senate amendments:
Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert:

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Pennsylvania Battlefields
Protection Act of 1999''.

TITLE I--PAOLI AND BRANDYWINE BATTLEFIELDS

SEC. 101. PAOLI BATTLEFIELD PROTECTION.

(a) Paoli Battlefield.--The Secretary of the Interior
(hereinafter referred to as the ``Secretary'') is authorized
to provide funds to the borough of Malvern, Pennsylvania, for
the acquisition of the area known as the ``Paoli
Battlefield'', located in the borough of Malvern,
Pennsylvania, as generally depicted on the map entitled
``Paoli Battlefield'' numbered 80,000 and dated April 1999
(referred to in this title as the ``Paoli Battlefield''). The
map shall be on file and available for public inspection in
the appropriate offices of the National Park Service.
(b) Cooperative Agreement and Technical Assistance.--The
Secretary shall enter into a cooperative agreement with the
borough of Malvern, Pennsylvania, for the management by the
borough of the Paoli Battlefield. The Secretary may provide
technical assistance to the borough of Malvern to assure the
preservation and interpretation of the Paoli Battlefield's
resources.
(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized
to be appropriated $1,250,000 to carry out this section. Such
funds shall be expended in the ratio of one dollar of

[[Page H10124]]

Federal funds for each dollar of funds contributed by non-
Federal sources. Any funds provided by the Secretary shall be
subject to an agreement that provides for the protection of
the Paoli Battlefield's resources.

SEC. 102. BRANDYWINE BATTLEFIELD PROTECTION.

(a) Brandywine Battlefield.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary is authorized to provide
funds to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, a political
subdivision of the Commonwealth, or the Brandywine
Conservancy, for the acquisition, protection, and
preservation of land in an area generally known as the
Meetinghouse Road Corridor, located in Chester County,
Pennsylvania, as depicted on a map entitled ``Brandywine
Battlefield--Meetinghouse Road Corridor'', numbered 80,000
and dated April 1999 (referred to in this title as the
``Brandywine Battlefield''). The map shall be on file and
available for public inspection in the appropriate offices of
the National Park Service.
(2) Willing sellers or donors.--Lands and interests in land
may be acquired pursuant to this section only with the
consent of the owner thereof.
(b) Cooperative Agreement and Technical Assistance.--The
Secretary shall enter into a cooperative agreement with the
same entity that is provided funds under subsection (a) for
the management by the entity of the Brandywine Battlefield.
The Secretary may also provide technical assistance to the
entity to assure the preservation and interpretation of the
Brandywine Battlefield's resources.
(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized
to be appropriated $3,000,000 to carry out this section. Such
funds shall be expended in the ratio of one dollar of Federal
funds for each dollar of funds contributed by non-Federal
sources. Any funds provided by the Secretary shall be subject
to an agreement that provides for the protection of the
battlefield's resources.

TITLE II--VALLEY FORGE NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK

SEC. 201. PURPOSE.

The purpose of this title is to authorize the Secretary of
the Interior to enter into an agreement with the Valley Forge
Historical Society (hereinafter referred to as the
``Society''), to construct and operate a museum within the
boundary of Valley Forge National Historical Park in
cooperation with the Secretary.

SEC. 202. VALLEY FORGE MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
AUTHORIZATION.

(a) Agreement Authorized.--The Secretary of the Interior,
in administering the Valley Forge National Historical Park,
is authorized to enter into an agreement under appropriate
terms and conditions with the Society to facilitate the
planning, construction, and operation of the Valley Forge
Museum of the American Revolution on Federal land within the
boundary of Valley Forge National Historical Park.
(b) Contents and Implementation of Agreement.--An agreement
entered into under subsection (a) shall--
(1) authorize the Society to develop and operate the museum
pursuant to plans developed by the Secretary and to provide
at the museum appropriate and necessary programs and services
to visitors to Valley Forge National Historical Park related
to the story of Valley Forge and the American Revolution;
(2) only be carried out in a manner consistent with the
General Management Plan and other plans for the preservation
and interpretation of the resources and values of Valley
Forge National Historical Park;
(3) authorize the Secretary to undertake at the museum
activities related to the management of Valley Forge National
Historical Park, including, but not limited to, provision of
appropriate visitor information and interpretive facilities
and programs related to Valley Forge National Historical
Park;
(4) authorize the Society, acting as a private nonprofit
organization, to engage in activities appropriate for
operation of the museum that may include, but are not limited
to, charging appropriate fees, conducting events, and selling
merchandise, tickets, and food to visitors to the museum;
(5) provide that the Society's revenues from the museum's
facilities and services shall be used to offset the expenses
of the museum's operation; and
(6) authorize the Society to occupy the museum so
constructed for the term specified in the Agreement and
subject to the following terms and conditions:
(A) The conveyance by the Society to the United States of
all right, title, and interest in the museum to be
constructed at Valley Forge National Historical Park.
(B) The Society's right to occupy and use the museum shall
be for the exhibition, preservation, and interpretation of
artifacts associated with the Valley Forge story and the
American Revolution, to enhance the visitor experience of
Valley Forge National Historical Park, and to conduct
appropriately related activities of the society consistent
with its mission and with the purposes for which the Valley
Forge National Historical Park was established. Such right
shall not be transferred or conveyed without the express
consent of the Secretary.
(C) Any other terms and conditions the Secretary determines
to be necessary.

SEC. 203. PRESERVATION AND PROTECTION.

Nothing in this title authorizes the Secretary or the
Society to take any actions in derogation of the preservation
and protection of the values and resources of Valley Forge
National Historical Park. An agreement entered into under
section 202 shall be construed and implemented in light of
the high public value and integrity of the Valley Forge
National Historical Park and the National Park System.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
California (Mr. Doolittle) and the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Kildee)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California (Mr. Doolittle).
Mr. DOOLITTLE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
I rise in strong support of H.R. 659, introduced by the gentleman
from Pennsylvania (Mr. Weldon). H.R. 659 is a very important bill. It
is necessary to protect two significant battlefields of the
Revolutionary War and begin the process of developing a much needed new
visitors' center at Valley Forge National Historical Park. The
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Weldon) deserves credit for developing
this bill, which protects some of our most treasured Revolutionary War
sites.
Madam Speaker, H.R. 659 authorizes appropriations for the protection
of the Paoli and Brandywine Battlefields in Pennsylvania.
Appropriations for these battlefields must be matched dollar for dollar
by non-Federal sources.
This bill also authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to enter into
an agreement with the Valley Forge Historical Society to construct and
operate a museum within the boundaries of the Valley Forge National
Historical Park. After the museum has been built, all rights, title and
interests would be conveyed to the Federal Government; however, the
society would continue to operate the facility.
Madam Speaker, this bill was passed earlier by the House and sent to
the Senate where they amended the bill to eliminate a provision that
directed the National Park Service to conduct a special resource study
of both the Paoli and Brandywine Battlefields. We have agreement on
this item now, on this amendment; and we now have a bill with full
bipartisan support.
Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. KILDEE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
(Mr. KILDEE asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. KILDEE. Madam Speaker, H.R. 659 is a comprehensive measure which
provides assistance for the preservation of two Revolutionary War
battlefields in Pennsylvania. In addition, the bill authorizes a
public-private partnership agreement for the construction of a museum
on Federal land within the Valley Forge National Historic Park.
The legislation originally passed the House on June 22, 1999. The
Senate considered the measure on October 14 and returned a bill with
several minor changes.
Title I of H.R. 659 authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to
provide up to $1.25 million to assist in the protection and
preservation of the area known as the Paoli Battlefield. It also
authorizes up to $3 million to assist in the protection and
preservation of the area known as the Meeting House Corridor, part of
the Brandywine Battlefield.
In both instances the funds provided are for land acquisition only,
and all funds provided by the Secretary are to be matched dollar for
dollar by non-Federal sources. The Secretary is also authorized to
provide technical assistance and to enter into cooperative agreements
to provide for ownership and management of the battlefields by the non-
Federal partners.
Madam Speaker, Title II of H.R. 659 deals with the Valley Forge
National Historic Park, which is so ably represented by the gentleman
from Pennsylvania (Mr. Hoeffel). The bill authorizes the Secretary to
enter into an agreement under appropriate terms and conditions with the
Valley Forge Historical Society, construct the Valley Forge Museum of
the American Revolution on park property. The gentleman from
Pennsylvania (Mr. Hoeffel) has been a strong supporter of this
provision and for that he is to be commended.
The Senate amendments to H.R. 659 changed the title of the
legislation and deleted the provisions for a special resource study of
the Paoli and Brandywine Battlefields. These changes do not alter the
primary purpose of the legislation. As such, we have no objections to
H.R. 659, as amended.
Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

[[Page H10125]]

Mr. DOOLITTLE. Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from
Pennsylvania (Mr. Weldon), the author of the legislation.
(Mr. WELDON of Pennsylvania asked and was given permission to revise
and extend his remarks, and include extraneous material.)
Mr. WELDON of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of this
final act to support this legislation, and I thank the gentleman from
Pennsylvania (Mr. Doolittle), my good friend; and I thank the gentleman
from Michigan (Mr. Kildee) for his support. I also thank the chairman
of the full committee and subcommittee, and the ranking members.
Madam Speaker, 222 years ago last month the cry, ``Remember Paoli,''
sounded through the ranks of the patriots who at that time were
fighting in the Philadelphia campaign to protect the beginnings of this
Nation. It was an unbelievable battle that occurred at Paoli that
resulted in that cry. I remember Paoli because 53 young Americans had
been butchered by the British. They were butchered by the British with
their bayonets because the British did not want to fire their guns to
send the signal that they were on the attack. Fifty-three brave young
Americans ended up lying on the ground at Paoli where they are at this
day buried because they were fighting for the independence of this
great Nation.
Madam Speaker, 222 years later, we remember Paoli. We remember Paoli
by this legislation, setting aside the 40 acres of that great battle;
that battle where America lost, where young Americans were massacred.
But the rallying cry became the call for the patriots at Valley Forge,
and before that at Brandywine to go on to defeat the British and to
allow this Nation to achieve its independence. This, in fact, was one
of the most historic campaigns in the Revolutionary War; and today we
take action, the final action before this bill goes to the President
for his signature to preserve the 40-acre site which is about to be
developed.
In fact, it is interesting, Madam Speaker. The deadline for
development of this site was the end of October, so we are just a few
short weeks away from being able to say that we have saved this site
from having been developed. Secretary Babbitt was up at the site not
long ago. He lent his personal support, and support from Democrats and
Republicans in both this body and the other body have allowed us to
move this legislation forward.
The gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Pitts), who has been a tireless
champion of the Brandywine site which is in his district and the Paoli
site which abuts his district and in my district, and the Valley Forge
site which is in my district but abuts the district of the gentleman
from Pennsylvania (Mr. Hoeffel), who is not with us today, all were
instrumental in moving this forward. Senator Santorum did a remarkable
effort in the Senate, and we thank everyone who played a major role in
getting us here today.
I thank all of my colleagues. At this time I would ask to insert in
the Congressional Record a letter from a fourth grader signifying the
over 4,000 letters and correspondence and phone calls we received from
young children asking us to save this site, and I further include the
chronology of our battle to save the Paoli and Brandywine Battlefields.

February 5, 1999.
Dear Congressman Weldon: I wrote this letter because we
need to save Paoli Battlefield. We can't develop Paoli
Battlefield because we would love to share the battlefield
with generations. We can't stop honoring the fallen soldiers.
If we do will lose another battle.
Thank you for helping us save Paoli Battlefield. We know
how important Paoli Battlefield is, and it is very nice of
you to be a part of remembering Paoli.
Sincerely,
Emily Murray.
____

Congressman Curt Weldon's Chronology of Battle To Preserve Paoli and
Brandywine Battlefields

April 95: Malvern Preparatory School challenges the local
community to raise the $2.5 million necessary to save the 40-
acre Paoli Battlefield site.
October 95: A non-profit organization headed by Pat
McGuigan, borough manager of Malvern, is formed--The Paoli
Battlefield Preservation Fund.
September 96: Fundraising begins.
October 97: Chester County pledges $250,000 in matching
funds to save the battlefield.
March 98: The Paoli Battlefield Preservation Fund
approaches Congressman Curt Weldon to ask for his help.
April 28, 1998: Congressman Weldon introduces H.R. 3746
which would authorize $2,500,000 and add the Paoli
Battlefield site to the Valley Forge National Historical
Park.
July 3, 1998: NBC's Today Show Features Paoli Battlefield.
July 31, 1998: Congressman Weldon seeks help from Senator
Arlen Specter. Senator Specter introduces companion
legislation, S. 2401, in the Senate.
August 6, 1998: The House National Parks and Public Lands
Subcommittee passes H.R. 3746.
September 15, 1998: Weldon's language is included in H.R.
4570, the House Omnibus Parks and Public Lands bill.
September 23, 1998: During consideration of S. 2401 by the
Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, S. 2401 is
stripped and language is added to authorize only a study of
the battlefield.
October 5, 1998: The Clinton/Gore Administration issues a
veto threat for H.R. 4570, citing the addition of the Paoli
Battlefield to the Valley Forge National Historical Park as a
provision of H.R. 4570 which would ``cause grave harm to the
Nation's resources.''
October 7, 1998: H.R. 4570 fails in the House by a vote of
123-302 due to environmental objections.
October 9, 1998: Despite the disastrous Committee
amendment, Senator Specter is able to pass the original
legislation to save the Paoli Battlefield on the Senate
floor. Due to political gamesmanship and controversy,
legislation is not brought up in the House.
October 21, 1998: Legislative business of the 105th
Congress concludes.
January 6, 1999: The 106th Congress Convenes.
February 8, 1999: Congressman Weldon visits the Exton
Elementary School to applaud the school's efforts to raise
``Pennies for Paoli''. During this visit, the Congressman
announces his intention to reintroduce legislation to save
the Paoli Battlefield. This legislation is known as the
PATRIOT Act--Preserve America's Treasures of the Revolution
for Independence for Our Tomorrow. The PATRIOT Act also
includes provisions to save portions of the Brandywine
Battlefield, and to authorize a new museum of the American
Revolution at Valley Forge National Historical Park.
February 9, 1999: Congressman Weldon introduces H.R. 659,
the PATRIOT Act.
March 10, 1999: Senator Arlen Specter introduces companion
legislation in the Senate, S. 581.
March 11, 1999: Hearings are held by the House National
Parks and Public Lands Subcommittee on the PATRIOT Act. Fifty
Chester County Grade School students travel to Washington, DC
to express their support for saving the lands. Congressmen
Weldon, Pitts, and Hoeffel, along with Senator Specter,
participate in the hearings. General George Washington
(a.k.a. Jim Gallagher of Newtown Square, PA) also testifies
about the need to save this sacred land.
March 18, 1999: The PATRIOT Act clears the House
Subcommittee.
April 22, 1999: Hearings are held by the Senate
Subcommittee.
April 28, 1999: The PATRIOT Act clears the House Resources
Committee.
May 1999: The PATRIOT Act is ready for consideration on the
House Floor, but Representative George Miller, engaged in
another act of political gamesmanship, refuses to allow any
public lands legislation sponsored by a Republican to reach
the House floor.
May 26, 1999: Governor Ridge and the State of Pennsylvania
pledge $500,000 from the Department of Community and Economic
Development.
June 8, 1999: Congressman Weldon approaches House
Leadership to request their assistance in scheduling a vote
for the PATRIOT Act. House Majority Leader Dick Armey, Rules
Committee Chairman David Dreier and House Resources Committee
Chairman Don Young, and House National Parks and Public Lands
Subcommittee Chairman Jim Hansen all agree to help.
June 16, 1999: The PATRIOT Act is cleared by the House
Rules Committee to be considered on the House Floor.
June 22, 1999: The PATRIOT Act passes the House of
Representatives by a vote of 418-4.
June 29, 1999: Congressman Weldon announces that funding
for Paoli Battlefield is included in the House Interior
Appropriations bill.
July 1999: Senator Craig Thomas (R-WY), Chairman of the
Senate Subcommittee on Parks and Public Lands, holds up the
progress of the Senate Legislation.
July 14, 1999: The House Interior Appropriations Bill,
containing $1.25 million in matching funds for the
Battlefield purchase, passes the House of Representatives.
July 29, 1999: Congressmen Weldon and Pitts meet with
Senator Thomas and learn that he was misinformed about the
intent of the PATRIOT Act. They clear up the
misunderstandings, and Senator Thomas agrees to move the bill
to the floor.
August 1999: Senator Frank Murkowski (R-AK), Chairman of
the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, places a
hold on all public lands bills in order to force an agreement
on a controversial Alaskan lands bill.
August 27, 1999: Secretary Bruce Babbitt visits Paoli
Battlefield and pledges the support of the Administration to
save the endangered land.

[[Page H10126]]

September 1999: Representatives Weldon, Pitts and Hoeffel,
and Senators Santorum and Specter work aggressively to
convince Senator Murkowski of the time sensitivity and
importance of passing the PATRIOT Act. Senator Murkowski
finally relents and puts together a package of four lands
bills which will be moved in the Senate. Senator Jeff
Bingaman, ranking Member of Murkowski's Committee, wants more
proposals offered by Senate Democrats included in the package
and refuses the package offered by Senator Murkowski.
October 1999: Senator Santorum continues to work
aggressively to convince Senator Bingaman of the need to move
the PATRIOT Act. Senator Bingaman finally agrees to the
package, but Senate Minority Leadership will not agree to the
package proposed by Senator Murkowski. Even support from
Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt does not convince them.
October 14, 1999: Senator Santorum finally achieves a
breakthrough. The legislation is agreed to on the Senate
floor by Unanimous Consent, but with a slight amendment. The
legislation is returned to the House for final consideration.
October 31, 1999: The final deadline for the Paoli
Battlefield Preservation Fund set by Malvern Preparatory
School looms.

Madam Speaker, as the distinguished chairman outlined, this bill sets
aside matching funds for Paoli which have almost entirely been raised.
It sets aside similar funds for Brandywine. We are in the midst of
raising that money now with the help of the Brandywine Conservancy, and
it allows the Park Service to develop a new plan and a contract to
develop a new visitors' center at Valley Forge National Park.
There are many people I would like to thank, Madam Speaker, too many
to mention by name. I will include a listing of those individuals at
this point in the Record.

thank yous!

Senator Rick Santorum and Staff: Jill Hershey, Mike
Hershey, and Zack Moore.
Senator Frank Murkowski, Senator Jeff Bingaman, Senator
Craig Thomas, and Jim O'Toole, staffer on Thomas'
subcommittee.
Specter staff: Pam Muha (no longer with Specter, but was
the driving force over there), and Kevin Mathis.
Chairman Don Young, Chairman Jim Hansen, and Resources
Staff: Tod Hull (he is the one with the dark hair who gave
you the book), Allen Freemyer (he is the staff director of
the subcommittee), and Rick Healy (Democrat).
Chairman Ralph Regula and Appropriations Committee: Debbie
Weatherly, Congressman John Peterson, and Troy Tidwell of his
staff, and Congressman George Nethercutt and Glenda Becker of
his staff.
Representative Joe Pitts and Representative Joe Hoeffel,
Ken Miller with Joe Pitts, and Don Grace with Joe Hoeffel.
State of Pennsylvania: State Representative Bob Flick,
State Senator Bob Thompson, and Governor Tom Ridge.
Witnesses at our Hearing: Jim Gallagher of Newtown Square,
General George Washington, Dr. Ed Barrs, Historian Emeritus
at the Department of Interior, and Students of Exton
Elementary, Sugartown Elementary.
Paoli Battlefield Preservation Fund: Pat McGuigan, Mike
Steinberger (replaced Pat when he retired), Sandra Kelly
(works for Malvern Borough), Henry Briggs, Tip O'Neill (the
one with the famous name that we couldn't remember last
time), and Tom Maguire (historian at Malvern Prep).
Valley Forge Historical Society: Jean-Pierre Bouvel and Ann
Brown.
National Park Service: Secretary Bruce Babbitt, Arthur
Stewart, Jim Pepper, and Don Barry.
Chester County Commissioners: Colin Hanna, Karen Martynick,
and Andrew Dinniman.
School Children: Sugartown Elementary School and the
``Footsteps for Paoli'', Exton Elementary School and the
``Pennies for Paoli'', and all of the students from all over
the county who wrote letters.
Members from the First Time Round on the Floor: David
Dreier, Doc Hastings, and Ralph Hall who helped us obtain a
rule, Majority Leader Dick Armey, Jim Traficant for reminding
us to Buy American!, Joe Hoeffel, and Joe Pitts.
Madam Speaker, I would also like to thank the appropriators,
especially the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Regula) and his staff, and
particularly Debbie Weatherley and the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr.
Peterson) and the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Nethercutt), who
helped us secure the appropriation so that when this bill is being
passed today the appropriation is also in the appropriation measure
soon to come to the House floor.
So today we complete the final chapter of the battle to remember the
cry of saving Paoli, and today I join with my colleagues in supporting
the passage of this measure, and I thank everyone who made this day
possible.

{time} 1415

The gentleman from Utah (Mr. Hansen) was an invaluable supporter. His
staff Todd Hall, who is here with us today, I thank him for all of his
efforts; Senator Specter and Senator Murkowski on the Senate side. The
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Pitts); the State of Pennsylvania,
Governor Ridge who put $500,000 up from State funds; the county
commissioners of Chester County; the Paoli Battlefield Preservation
Fund, its leaders, Pat McGuigan and Mike Steinberger; the Valley Forge
Historical Society, Jean-Pierre Bouvel and Ann Brown; the National Park
Service headed up by Secretary Bruce Babbitt; the school children of
Sugartown Elementary School and all the children who sent letters and
raised over 40,000 pennies to save the Paoli site; and finally those
other Members who have been supportive of this effort.
Finally, I would be remiss, Madam Speaker, if I did not mention the
last time we had this bill on the floor and it passed the House
overwhelmingly, when I was thanking everyone who was involved, in a
lapse of memory, which from time to time Members of Congress have, at
least this Member does, I gave my key staffer who worked this issue the
wrong last name.
So as a final goodwill gesture, I want to thank Aaron for all the
work that was done to get the Paoli bill through. The Patriot Act
passed, and this time I got Aaron's name right.
Mr. KILDEE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, I would like to commend my good friend, the gentleman
from Pennsylvania (Mr. Weldon) for his very, very hard work and
tenacious work on this bill. I know this is a happy day for him.
Mr. DOOLITTLE. Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from
Pennsylvania (Mr. Pitts).
Mr. PITTS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 659,
the Patriot Act. I also want to thank my colleague and friend, the
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Weldon), for introducing this
legislation and taking the lead in protecting these treasures, the
Paoli and Brandywine battlefields. He has done a magnificent job of
shepherding, of birddogging the bill through the legislative process
and it was because of his able leadership that we are here today. This
bill first came to the floor in June, and it passed overwhelmingly.
Today the bill is before us again for the House to adopt a Senate
amendment which I also hope the House will support overwhelmingly.
The passage of the Patriot Act is essential for the preservation of
two revolutionary war battlefields, Brandywine and Paoli. If we do not
preserve these battlefields this year, we will lose both to the rapid
development that is taking place in the region. Preserving America's
historic treasures is essential if we as a Nation are to remember our
past and our rich cultural heritage. It is particularly important to
remember the sacrifices that our forefathers made to secure our
independence from Great Britain and to build a new country that is
today the world leader in freedom and democracy. Brandywine and Paoli
battlefields are among the few Revolutionary War battlefields that
remain unprotected.
I have visited the Brandywine battlefield in my district, on numerous
occasion, and with each visit I am more concerned that America may lose
this important piece of our heritage to sprawling housing developments.
The Patriot Act will help preserve a portion of the Brandywine
battlefield where the most intense conflict and loss of life took
place. The battle of the Brandywine was the largest battle of the
Revolutionary War in terms of number of participants. Approximately
26,000 British and American troops gathered there. All of the generals
were at that battle. It was also a major conflict in the British
campaign of 1777, that conquered Philadelphia. While the British
eventually took Philadelphia, the battle of the Brandywine was
significant in delaying the British campaign and allowing the Congress
to abandon the city and to move to Lancaster, also in my district, and
then to York, to escape before the British takeover.
History connects people and nurtures identity and community, and I
think it is our responsibility to ensure that historical landmarks such
as the Brandywine and Paoli battlefields are preserved for future
generations. Preserving these battlefields will ensure

[[Page H10127]]

that our children and our grandchildren will be able to enjoy and
experience how these battles unfolded.
In closing, I want to extend my thanks to the local communities in
Chester County, near the Paoli and the Brandywine battlefields, for
their unrelenting quest to save these monuments. This has been a
grassroots effort, and it is now time for us to help them reach that
goal. So I urge support the Patriot Act and concur in the Senate
amendments.
Mr. DOOLITTLE. Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from
Pennsylvania (Mr. Gekas).
(Mr. GEKAS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. GEKAS. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from California (Mr.
Doolittle) for yielding me this time.
Madam Speaker, it is appropriate that this debate is being conducted
at a time in 1999 when 200 years prior, in 1799, George Washington was
living out his life at Mount Vernon in the last 80 days of that
magnificent life. What we do here today is not only go forward with a
project that brings pride and will bring additional historic value to
Pennsylvania itself and to our Nation as a whole, but also to recall
that George Washington was omnipresent at all of these events. He was
at Valley Forge, making sure that our stalwarts remained stalwart
during that winter. He was at Brandywine defending Pennsylvania and
Philadelphia and the Nation, the new Nation yet to be born. He was then
destined to become the victor of the Revolutionary War, of course, as
Commander-in-Chief. He was the presiding officer of the Constitutional
Convention of 1787 in Philadelphia, and then became the first President
of the United States and for 8 years set the tone and the tradition and
the standard for the presidency of the United States.
We here today, in doing something so valuable to our heritage, are in
a separate way expressing our gratitude again to George Washington. He
died on December 14, 1799. So we are coming to the memorization of that
as well, but in the meantime his life was one that is inextricably
interwoven with the life of every American, and that extra dividend is
being paid to us today when the Congress is making certain that one
piece of the Washington legacy, that of Brandywine and Valley Forge and
Paoli, that that not only remains in the Congressional Record but in
the annals of history and in the minds and hearts of our people as he
was first in the hearts of the American people.
Mr. HOEFFEL. Madam Speaker, I would like to start by thanking the
gentleman from Pennsylvania, Mr. Weldon for his extraordinary effort to
bring this matter forward. The day this bill is signed into law will be
a great day in celebrating American revolutionary history, and this is
due to the gentleman from Pennsylvania and his efforts here on the
floor.
I would also like to thank and congratulate Jean-Pierre Bouvel of the
Valley Forge Historical Society for his leadership in marshalling local
support for this public-private partnership. Also thanks to Paul
Decker, the Executive Director of the Valley Forge Convention and
Visitor Bureau and a number of Montgomery County officials who have
given their strong support for this public-private partnership at
Valley Forge.
I also want to thank the gentleman from Pennsylvania, Mr. Pitts, for
his cooperation and efforts on this legislation as well.
The events that occurred on both the Brandywine Battlefield and the
Paoli Battlefield were key to the American revolutionary fight for
freedom. The American forces lost at Brandywine, although they did buy
additional time to protect the city of Philadelphia a little while
longer from the British invasion. At Paoli, Americans were massacred at
night and it truly was another disastrous defeat for America. Those two
military operations forged the beginning of the winning spirit. We are
all familiar with the history of the Valley Forge encampment. As far as
I am concerned, that is where the American Revolution was truly won. No
shots were fired. But the American army that arrived there tired,
hungry, ill-clothed, ill-trained and ill-equipped, survived and
trained. Six months later, with the tremendous leadership of George
Washington, in June of 1778 an effective fighting force went on to win
our independence.
So we are saving and preserving the two battlefields that led to the
encampment at Valley Forge. We are offering an opportunity to provide a
far more impressive visitor experience at Valley Forge. We are
providing a greatly improved opportunity for historical artifacts to be
presented through a Valley Forge Museum of the American Revolution. We
will offer better education about the valor, determination, courage and
resolve that Americans showed at both those battle sites and the 6
months where they survived a bitter winter at Valley Forge and emerged
as an effective fighting army. We will preserve those battlefields so
that future generations can appreciate the sacrifices that were made
there.
I urge all my colleagues to support this legislation.
Mr. KILDEE. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. DOOLITTLE. Madam Speaker, I urge an aye vote, and I yield back
the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. Biggert). The question is on the motion
offered by the gentleman from California (Mr. Doolittle) that the House
suspend the rules and concur in the Senate amendments to the bill, H.R.
659.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor
thereof) the rules were suspended and the Senate amendments were
concurred in.
The title of the bill was amended so as to read:

``An Act to authorize appropriations for the protection of
Paoli and Brandywine Battlefields in Pennsylvania, to
authorize the Valley Forge Museum of the American Revolution
at Valley Forge National Historical Park, and for other
purposes.''.

A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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