Statements on Introduced Bills and Joint Resolutions

Floor Speech

STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS -- (Senate - August 01, 2008)

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By Ms. LANDRIEU:

S. 3438. A bill to prohibit the use of funds for the establishment of National Marine Monuments unless certain requirements are met; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Ms. LANDRIEU. Mr. President, I introduce this bill today to prevent misuse of the Antiquities. Act of 1906 to create very large marine monuments. The Antiquities Act was intended to protect landmarks, not create the largest protected areas in the United States unilaterally without congressional assent.

The Bush administration acted covertly to convey protected status to 139,000 square miles of the northwestern Hawaiian Islands. In so doing, the administration short-circuited the extensive Marine Sanctuaries process that was already underway and notified the delegation only after the press conference. Now they have turned their attention to the Gulf of Mexico.

We learned that the President, with mixed support from his top advisors, is considering using his authorities under the Antiquities Act to unilaterally and permanently declare ``marine monuments'' in various locations of the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone. Some of these areas are in my backyard--in the Gulf of Mexico--but other areas of the Atlantic and Pacific are also under consideration.

I certainly understand the need to conserve and appropriately manage our most sensitive and vulnerable marine areas, which can serve as nurseries for fish stocks and provide critical habitat for other important species. That is why I support the processes Congress established in the National Marine Sanctuaries Act. But any declarations of new or additional protected status to marine areas should continue to follow the scientific and public processes outlined in the Sanctuaries Act. This is a good process that allows all affected parties--from the environmental community to recreational fishermen to the oil and gas industries--to have a say.

By Ms. LANDRIEU:

S. 3447. A bill to reprogram $15,000,000 in savings in the Jackson Barracks military construction to the Department of the Interior for the Historic Preservation Fund of the National Park Service for the purpose of restoring Jackson Barracks to its pre-Hurricane Katrina status as a national historic treasure; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Ms. LANDRIEU. Mr. President, I introduce this bill today to restore historic Jackson Barracks in New Orleans to its pre-Hurricane Katrina status as a national historic treasure. Jackson Barracks represents the rich military history of New Orleans, and indeed our great State. However, the rebuilding of the structures on this significant garrison has been hindered by bureaucratic roadblocks and gaps in funding. This bill directly addresses those challenges.

As you know, Hurricane Katrina brought torrential floods and driving winds to New Orleans and the surrounding region. The devastation from the storm touched every structure at Jackson Barracks. The original Jackson Barracks consists of 14 Antebellum Garrison Structures built between 1834 and 1835. These historic buildings were not spared and suffered tremendous damage.

There is a pressing need to complete the restoration and renovation of the barracks. Jackson Barracks requires additional renovations and restorations that are not within the scope of the Federal Emergency Management Agency hurricane restoration funding. With the agreement of the Chief, National Guard Bureau and the Secretary of the Interior, this bill would reprogram the savings from several military construction projects elsewhere on Jackson Barracks to assist in the completion of historic preservation at the post.

I ask the support of my colleagues in enabling the National Park Service to aid in the restoration of Jackson Barracks through the Historic Preservation Fund. I am not asking for additional dollars, but rather that the money that was saved on previous projects be recommitted and used for this vital need.

By Ms. LANDRIEU:

S. 3448. A bill to reauthorize the Cane River National Heritage Area Commission and expand the boundaries of the Cane River National Heritage Area in the State of Louisiana; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Ms. LANDRIEU. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce legislation to reauthorize the Cane River National Heritage Area Commission and modify the boundaries of the heritage area. In 1994, Congress recognized this area as one of the nation's cultural and historic treasures. In the 1700s, Creole culture flowered across the stunning landscapes of the Cane River, and the Creole culture continues to enliven the region to this day. In terms of beauty, it is not only the landscape but the Creole architecture from that time period that charms visitors. Today, the 35 mile region includes the Cane River Creole National Historical Park, seven national historic landmarks, three state historic sites, and 24 properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Anchored by the city of Natchitoches, which traces its history to a French colonial settlement established in 1714 near the Natchitoches Indian village on the Red River, the region's colonial forts, Creole plantations, churches, cemeteries, archeological sites, historic transportation routes, and commercial centers provide a unique view into Louisiana's past.

I am proud to represent the people of Louisiana by asking the 110th Congress to reauthorize this National Heritage Area and reaffirm the importance of the Cane River Creole culture as a nationally significant element of American heritage.

This should not be a difficult task. Congress has once before agreed to establish a Cane River Creole National Historical Park to serve as the focus of interpretive and educational programs on the history of the Cane River area and to assist in the preservation of certain historic sites along the river. Now, I ask this Congress to do it again by reauthorizing the Cane River National Heritage Area.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the RECORD.

There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be printed in the RECORD, as follows:

S. 3448

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By Ms. LANDRIEU:

S. 3449. A bill to direct the Secretary of the Interior to study the suitability and feasibility of designating sites in the Lower Mississippi River Area in the State of Louisiana as a unit of the National Park System, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Ms. LANDRIEU. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce legislation entitled the Lower Mississippi River National Historic Site Study Act. This bill will direct the Secretary of the Interior to study the suitability and feasibility of designating sites in Plaquemines Parish along the Lower Mississippi River Area as a unit of the National Park System. To be eligible for favorable consideration as a unit of the National Park System, an area must possess nationally significant natural, cultural or recreational resources. The Lower Mississippi River area in Plaquemines Parish meets and exceeds these criteria.

I am proud to come to the floor today to introduce this bill. Anyone who has visited Plaquemines Parish knows that it is one of the Nation's unique treasures. The natural beauty there at the mouth of the Mississippi is impossible to describe, but impossible not to love. The area is rich in history, and it is a preserve for one of the nation's most unique cultural mélanges.

That mix began after the Native Americans in the region began to intermingle with the Spanish explorers who traveled along the banks of the river in the 1500s. In 1682, René-Robert Cavelier de LaSalle claimed all the land drained by the Mississippi for France area. In 1699, the area became the site of the first fortification on the Lower Mississippi River, known as Fort Mississippi. Since then, it has been the home to 10 different fortifications, including Fort St. Philip and Fort Jackson.

Fort St. Philip, originally built in 1749, proved to be instrumental during the Battle of New Orleans by blocking the British Navy from going up river. Fort Jackson was built at the request of General Andrew Jackson and partially constructed by famous local Civil War General P.G.T. Beauregard. This fort was the site of the famous Civil War battle know as the ``Battle of Forts'' which is also referred to as the ``night the war was lost.''

As this glimpse of the region's military history shows, the Lower Plaquemines region is of national cultural and historical significance.

There are also many other important and unique attributes to this area. This area is home to the longest continuous river road and levee system in the U.S. It is also home to the ancient Head of Passes site, Plaquemines Bend, geological features and two national wildlife refuges.

Finally, the area has a rich cultural heritage. Over the years, many different cultures have made this area home including Creoles, Europeans, Indians, Yugoslavs, African-Americans and Vietnamese. These cultures have worked together to create the infrastructure for transportation of our Nation's energy which is being produced by these same people out in the Gulf of Mexico off our shores. They have also created a fishing industry that contributes to Louisiana's economy.

I think it is easy to see why this area would make an excellent addition to the National Park Service. I hope that my colleagues will join me in supporting this bill which simply allows the National Park Service to study the suitability and feasibility of bringing this area into the system. I look forward to working with my colleagues to quickly enact this bill.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.

There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be printed in the Record, as follows:

S. 3449

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