Press Releases
Rep. Roscoe Bartlett Speaks Against and Votes No on Big Government, Big Spending Democratic Bill
Washington, Oct 24, 2007 -
Congressman Roscoe Bartlett spoke in Congress today against H.R. 1483, “a big government, big spending Democratic substitute bill that would create the Journey Through Hallowed Ground,” a National Heritage Area that would bisect the Sixth District of Maryland along Rt. 15. The designated management entity for the Journey Through Hallowed Ground intends to utilize up to $15 million in federal funds matched by local, state and private donations to influence land use decisions potentially limiting economic and population growth and infrastructure modernization and private property values along a 175-mile corridor between the Gettysburg National Civil War Battlefield in Pennsylvania and Thomas Jefferson’s home Monticello in Virginia.
Congressman Bartlett said, “All of our nation's founders knew of the intimate connection between personal liberty, taxpayers’ interests and property rights. H.R. 1483 tramples over rather than honors these hallowed principles.”
Congressman Bartlett’s prepared floor remarks are attached along with a link to his statement recorded on C-SPAN and links to other background materials about H.R. 1483. The bill was approved by a vote of 291-122. 222 Democrats voted yes; no Democrats voted no. 122 Republicans including Congressman Bartlett voted no. 69 Republicans voted yes. 11 Democrats and 9 Republicans did not vote.
Republicans offered an amendment to H.R. 1483 in the form of a motion to recommit (MTR) that would stipulate that all designated and future lands within any National Heritage Area would be exclusively governed by state and local laws regarding hunting, fishing, and the possession or use of a weapon, trap, or net. The MTR would specify that no heritage area management entity can impose a regulation in the designated area that would infringe upon state and local laws concerning hunting and fishing. It was approved by an overwhelming bipartisan majority of 344-71. 191 Republicans and 157 Democrats voted yes. 71 Democrats voted no. 9 Republicans and 9 Democrats did not vote. Congressman Bartlett voted for the motion to recommit.
General Debate on H.R. 1483
Roscoe G. Bartlett
Sixth District, Maryland
October 24, 2007
“Madam/Mr. Speaker - I rise in opposition to H.R. 1483 and urge my colleagues to vote NO on this bill.
“The Journey Through Hallowed Ground is a Democratic substitute bill. It has been added to a larger bill, H.R. 1483, that is also a Democratic substitute bill. H.R. 1483 reflects a big government, big spending philosophy that tramples over taxpayers’ interests and private property rights established and considered fundamental by revered American leaders such as Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln. What’s more, it is being brought up under a closed Rule. An amendment I offered to ensure majority voting control by Congressional District residents over decisions by management entities affecting sites in their District located within Heritage Areas was rejected.
“I was an enthusiastic supporter of the establishment of a National Heritage Area for the Journey Through Hallowed Ground before I read the fine print in the bill and became knowledgeable about the exclusive vision of its Virginia-based, Virginia-controlled designated management entity.
“I have consistently stated and testified on both September 28, 2006, and March 8, 2007, that any federal legislation to create the Journey Through Hallowed Ground National Heritage Area should retain local control of its management by Marylanders concerning sites in Maryland. I also believe that if the value of land is reduced as a result of actions by the management entity, than affected property owners should be compensated at fair market value. It is unwarranted to spend $15 million of taxpayers' money to protect and promote the Journey Through Hallowed Ground.
“Supporters of H.R. 1483 have consistently refused to incorporate protections of taxpayers and private property owners. That is why I introduced an alternate bill, H.R. 1270 and approved an amendment to remove the Sixth District of Maryland that was defeated in committee on a party line vote. Actions by management entities and the $135 million in taxpayers’ money that will be matched and spent by management entities speak louder than the weak and toothless language in Section 2009.
“From Americans for Tax Reform/Property Rights Alliance Vote Alert: ‘We urge all members to side with Americans and protect the right of land use by voting ‘NO’ on H.R. 1483.’ http://www.propertyrightsalliance.org/?content=heritageal
“From the National Taxpayers Union: ‘NTU urges all Members to vote "NO" on H.R. 1483. NTU testified against H.R. 1483 in committee, and we're dismayed to see that the bill has grown in both cost and potential harm since introduction. Roll call votes on H.R. 1483 will be significantly weighted in our annual Rating of Congress.’ http://www.propertyrightsalliance.org/?content=heritageal
“From the Heritage Foundation: National Heritage Areas: Costly Economic Development Schemes that Threaten Property Rights, Backgrounder #2080 http://www.heritage.org/research/smartgrowth/bg2080.cfm
‘In fact, non-National Parks Service funds amount to nearly 70 percent of the costs associated with the National Heritage Areas. If this pattern continues, H.R. 1483 would lead to an additional $270 million in NHA spending by federal, state, local, and not-for-profit entities.
‘One of the most controversial aspects of H.R. 1483 is the establishment of the Journey Through Hallowed Ground. This effort is sponsored and promoted mainly by two factions: Virginia-based environmental groups with a long history of opposition to most residential and commercial development in the region and wealthy estate owners who would benefit from the cachet and exclusivity that the designation might bring. The opposition includes local property owners and a large minority in Congress.
‘…other NHAs have used their federally acquired authority to impose restrictive zoning requirements on the region's property owners to limit development and/or to force it into directions agreeable to those who guide the management of the NHA.’
“To review, Members may be concerned that H.R. 1483 would:
- Increase federal funding 50% from $10 million to $15 million per National Heritage Area, an amount neither requested nor reviewed in hearings with total additional federal spending of $135 million.
- Expand the boundaries of three existing National Heritage Areas.
- Create six new National Heritage Areas, including the Journey Through Hallowed Ground, at a total initial authorization of $90 million.
- Reauthorize, increase and extend federal funding for nine existing National Heritage Areas through FY 2012 at an additional cost of $45 million.
“All of our nation's founders knew of the intimate connection between personal liberty, taxpayers’ interests and property rights. H.R. 1483 tramples over rather than honors these hallowed principles.”
This is the link to Congressman Bartlett's actual floor remarks as recorded by C-SPAN:
http://clips.shadowtv.net/media/stv/3343/8/2007/297/10/3343_8_20071024_105948_389.wmv
Additional Background about H.R. 1483:
A coalition of 114 national conservative leaders wrote letters to all Members of Congress on September 4, 2007 opposing the creation of additional National Heritage Areas, and in particular, the Journey Through Hallowed Ground. They wrote, “National heritage areas are the Kelo [Supreme Court eminent domain takings] decision and earmarks rolled into one.” http://www.nationalcenter.org/NHACoalitionLetter0907.pdf
Link to full text of another Heritage Foundation report with more details about the designated management entity for the Journey Through Hallowed Ground is: Backgrounder #2025 “Another Federal Assault on Property Rights: The Journey Through Hallowed Ground National Heritage Area Act,” is available at http://www.heritage.org/Research/SmartGrowth/bg2025.cfm
In its own words, the designated management entity of the Journey Through Hallowed Ground declared its intent to use the National Heritage Areas (NHA) designation to influence local land use decisions, control growth and limit automobile use in the 175-mile corridor between the Gettysburg Battlefield in PA and Monticello, VA. The corridor through Maryland’s Sixth District runs primarily along Rt. 15. Rt. 15 is a major commuter thoroughfare from the Pennsylvania state line through Frederick, MD to the Points of Rock Bridge across the Potomac to Leesburg, Virginia.
On page 50 of the Journey Through Hallowed Ground (JTHG) feasibility study, the designated management entity under H.R. 1483, the Journey Through Hallowed Ground Partnership says the NHA is needed because:
“The National Heritage Area will work with all jurisdictions in the corridor
to foster sustainable land use planning and development practices, as well
as conservation of valuable natural, scenic, and historic resources."
*Also noted on page 50: "The National Heritage Area...will work to ensure the mitigation and enhancement of non-auto options for mobility."
On page 49 of the JTHG feasibility study they argue: "Without an overarching heritage area initiative, the Journey Through Hallowed Ground corridor will experience increasing growth and change and potential degradation of the rural economy, natural heritage, and context of historic
resources."
http://www.hallowedground.org/content/view/192/24/
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