Yucca House National Monument Expansion Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. NEGUSE. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1492) to update the map of, and modify the maximum acreage available for inclusion in, the Yucca House National Monument, as amended.

The Clerk read the title of the bill.

The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 1492

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SEC. 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Yucca House National Monument Expansion Act''. SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

In this Act:

(1) National monument.--The term ``National Monument'' means the Yucca House National Monument in Cortez, Colorado, established by Presidential Proclamation 1549.

(2) Map.--The term ``map'' means the map entitled ``Yucca House National Monument Proposed Boundary Addition'', numbered 318/105,085A, and dated February 27, 2019.

(3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of the Interior. SEC. 3. YUCCA HOUSE NATIONAL MONUMENT LAND ACQUISITION.

(a) Acquisition.--The Secretary may acquire by donation the approximately 160 acres of land and any interests in the land that is identified on the map.

(b) Boundary.--On the acquisition of the land authorized under subsection (a), the Secretary shall adjust the boundaries of the National Monument to include the acquired land.

(c) Administration.--The land and any interests in land acquired under subsection (a) shall be administered as part of the National Monument.
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Mr. NEGUSE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1492, sponsored by my friend and fellow Coloradan, Representative Tipton. This bill would support access to one of the most significant cultural and archaeological sites in southwest Colorado, the Yucca House National Monument.

Yucca House was an important community center for the ancestral Puebloan people and serves as an enduring example of the history of these lands. H.R. 1492 would add 160 acres of donated land to the monument, quintupling the size of the site and guaranteeing permanent public access.

The addition would also allow the National Park Service to build a new public entrance to the monument, including parking, visitor services, and interpretive facilities. This new access will allow more Americans to utilize and learn about the exceptional ancestral Puebloan sites protected at the monument.

I congratulate my colleague on his efforts to support access with respect to this monument and to help enhance our appreciation for the Native American history enshrined in the kivas, towers, and plazas of the Yucca House National Monument.

As a fellow lover of Colorado's public lands and public land heritage, I again thank the gentleman for his leadership on this bill and certainly urge my colleagues to support it.
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Mr. NEGUSE. Madam Speaker, again, I thank my colleague, friend, and neighbor, Mr. Tipton, for his leadership on this bill. I certainly urge my colleagues to support it.

I also want to make sure we take a moment to take stock and reflect on the benefits of the Antiquities Act of 1906, that bedrock law signed into law by President Teddy Roosevelt so long ago that has enabled us to move forward with protecting monuments like the one included in the bill that is before the House today.

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

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