Removing Restrictions From A Parcel of Land in Paducah, Kentucky

Floor Speech

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Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1276) to remove restrictions from a parcel of land in Paducah, Kentucky, as amended.

The Clerk read the title of the bill.

The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 1276

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

(a) In General.--The Secretary of the Interior (referred to in this section as the ``Secretary'') shall execute such instruments as may be necessary to remove all deed restrictions from the parcel of land described in subsection (d), subject to the conditions in subsection (c).

(b) Deed Restrictions.--The deed restrictions referred to in subsection (a) are those restrictions, including easements, exceptions, reservations, terms, conditions, and covenants described in the quitclaim deed from the United States to the City of Paducah, Kentucky, executed on April 27, 2012, and recorded by the Clerk of the County Court of McCracken County, Kentucky, on pages 247 through 260 of Deed Book 1229.

(c) Conditions of Extinguishment.--In removing the deed restrictions under subsection (a), the Secretary shall include a reservation requiring that--

(1) the City of Paducah, Kentucky, not transfer or sell the parcel of land to any other entity, except the Oscar Cross Boys & Girls Club of Paducah;

(2) if the City of Paducah, Kentucky, transfers or sells such parcel to the Oscar Cross Boys & Girls Club of Paducah, that the Oscar Cross Boys & Girls Club of Paducah offers to convey the parcel of land to the Secretary, without consideration, prior to conveying the property to any other entity; and

(3) any new use or development of the parcel of land continue to be compatible with public use or recreation purposes.

(d) Land Description.--The parcel of land referred to in subsection (a) is the parcel--

(1) comprised of approximately 3.62 acres located at 2956 Park Avenue, on the Paducah Memorial Army Reserve Center, Paducah, McCracken County, Kentucky, including the improvements thereon; and

(2) conveyed by the Secretary to the City of Paducah, Kentucky.

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Mr. WESTERMAN. 1276, the bill now under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this legislation offered by my good friend and the chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, Representative Comer. This legislation would remove Federal deed restrictions from a building and the surrounding parcel of land in Paducah, Kentucky.

For more than six decades, the Oscar Cross Boys & Girls Club of Paducah has provided a safe place for young people in McCracken County, Kentucky, to learn, grow, and thrive. The club is a model of community service, offering affordable mentorship, recreation, and educational opportunities to hundreds of children each year.

Today, the club is ready to make long-overdue improvements, including renovating and expanding its building, adding new classrooms, and refurbishing its gymnasium so that it can serve even more children and bolster its educational and recreational programming.

To do so, the Boys & Girls Club is hoping to acquire the current building and surrounding land from the city of Paducah. However, these plans are stalled by an outdated Federal deed restriction put in place by the National Park Service on the land where the Boys & Girls Club currently operates.

H.R. 1276 removes that restriction, which would, in turn, allow the city of Paducah to transfer the parcel directly to the club.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Comer for working with the Natural Resources Committee to amend this bill during our committee's markup to ensure that this area remains dedicated to public and recreational purposes in perpetuity. This is a commonsense bill that cuts red tape, empowers local leaders, and strengthens a vital community institution. Chairman Comer has played a vital role in leading and representing his community.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1276, and I reserve the balance of my time.

As has been noted, for more than 60 years, the Oscar Cross Boys and Girls Club of Paducah has provided dedicated service to their community.

H.R. 1276 is a straightforward bill that will enhance this legacy of service by removing an unnecessary Federal deed restriction and allowing the city of Paducah to transfer land directly to the club. This will pave the way for long-planned improvements that will directly benefit Kentucky children and families.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support Chairman Comer's legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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