Valley Forge Park Realignment Permit and Promise Act

Floor Speech

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Ms. DEAN. Madam Speaker, I thank the chairman for the bipartisan support.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of my bill, H.R. 7952, Valley Forge Park Realignment Permit and Promise Act.

Valley Forge National Historical Park is an important, extraordinarily historical landmark and natural space spanning 3,500 acres of Chester and Montgomery counties; my home.

As the site of the 1777 and 1778 winter encampment of General George Washington and the Continental Army, Valley Forge is a living monument to our national story, where former Prussian officer Baron van Steuben trained the Continental Army, transforming them into a more cohesive, unified, and modern fighting force.

It is a symbol of our Nation's resilience and revolutionary spirit.

As part of a broader effort to develop and enhance the area around Valley Forge National Historical Park, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is working to reassign and repave a road that runs through the Park's entrance. And part of the project involves moving the current utilities under the current roadbed to the new roadbed.

Unfortunately, while the park can permit the movement of other utilities, like electric and broadband, they are barred by statute from permitting the movement of the segment of natural gas pipeline also under the current roadbed. Without Federal intervention, the project could be further delayed, costing the American people time and resources.

That is why this bill is in front of you today. It will allow the Secretary of the Interior to permit the movement of a small piece of approximately 2,400 feet or a half a mile of natural gas pipeline to a new roadbed. Importantly, the bill does not allow for expansion, upgrades, or improvements to the pipeline. It is simply allowing the movement to better facilitate the current construction.

In addition to the straightforward benefits of moving the pipeline segment to ensure it remains with all the other utilities, the move will also allow for the creation of a trail connection. This will better allow people to reach and enjoy this historic park, America's park, further developing the area as a landmark of our past and a place of recreation and community today.

This bipartisan bill, which I introduced with Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan and Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick, and Senators Casey and Toomey introducing the same companion bill on the Senate side, it is a straightforward fix to a technical but important issue facing Valley Forge National Historical Park.

Simply, it is commonsense legislation.

Madam Speaker, I thank the chairman and the ranking member for their support of this bill and for moving it swiftly through the Natural Resources Committee and to the House floor.

I also thank my fellow Congress Members from the delegation: Houlahan, Fitzpatrick, Senators Casey and Toomey for being strong allies and supporters and co-leads for America's park.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

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