National Defense Authorization Act

Floor Speech

Mr. DOGGETT. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the public lands provisions in the National Defense Authorization Act that we are considering this morning. This is important to the security of all of our country, even if there are some provisions with which I have significant disagreement.

I am pleased, while the focus is on our national security--important, especially, to families in San Antonio, whom I represent in what we know as ``Military City''--that with this bill we are joining another aspect that is very important to Bexar County, which is the Alamo part of Bexar County, the Alamo City as well. This bill includes a provision that I passed here in the House on June 3 of last year to expand the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. San Antonio has a unique collection of Spanish colonial resources, the largest of any place in the United States.

Since the House passed this legislation, it has lingered in the Senate; and now, through bipartisan agreement, we have included it in this particular piece of legislation, along with some other parks and natural resource matters. The legislation will now allow us to move forward with our World Heritage status for the Missions, and it will protect our cultural heritage and advance our economic future in San Antonio.

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