Maurice D. Hinchey Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area Enhancement Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 390) to amend the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-333; 54 U.S.C. 320101 note) to include all of Saratoga and Washington Counties in the boundaries of the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area, as amended.

The Clerk read the title of the bill.

The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 390

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

This Act may be cited as the ``Maurice D. Hinchey Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area Enhancement Act''. SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

In this Act:

(1) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of the Interior.

(2) State.--The term ``State'' means the State of New York.

(3) Study area.--The term ``study area'' means Saratoga and Washington Counties in the State. SEC. 3. HUDSON RIVER VALLEY NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA STUDY.

The Secretary, in consultation with State and local historic preservation officers, State and local historical societies, State and local tourism offices, and other appropriate organizations and governmental agencies, shall carry out, in accordance with section 120103(a) of title 54, United States Code, a study to assess the suitability and feasibility of designating the study area as part of the Maurice D. Hinchey Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area established under the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-333; 54 U.S.C. 320101 note).

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Mr. WESTERMAN. 390, the bill now under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of Representative Stefanik's bill, the Maurice D. Hinchey Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area Enhancement Act. Established in 1996, the Maurice D. Hinchey Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area was among the earliest national heritage areas designated by Congress.

It follows the Hudson River for roughly 150 miles through New York State covering 10 counties, 250 communities, and 107 distinct heritage sites.

These sites reflect the Hudson River Valley's natural, historic, and cultural contributions to the Nation. Many of these sites, for example, have important ties to the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, and the Underground Railroad.

Recognizing this region's importance to American history, this legislation will direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study assessing the suitability and feasibility of expanding the boundaries of the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area to include all of Saratoga and Washington Counties.

This change would bring the Federal boundaries of the national heritage area in line with the State's boundaries. Such an expansion could increase opportunities for Saratoga and Washington Counties to attract more tourism and support local economic development without adding to the Federal estate.

I praise Representative Stefanik for her leadership on this issue and for her work this Congress advocating on behalf of her constituents. The Committee on Natural Resources has passed three pieces of her legislation this year by unanimous consent, no small feat, and each of these bills directly benefit her constituents.

We will all certainly miss Representative Stefanik next year, but in the meantime, I look forward to working with her to advance this bill in Congress.

Mr. Speaker, this is a simple, bipartisan bill that will assess promising opportunities to empower local voices, bolster economic development, and protect cultural resources in a very important region.

Once again, Representative Stefanik has worked hard to deliver sound policies for her constituents. I urge adoption of this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

The yeas and nays were ordered.

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