Date: 2016-03-22
Speaker: AUSTIN SCOTT (republican)
Chamber: H
State: Georgia

Mr. Speaker. I rise today in support of H.R. 482. the Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park Boundary Act of 2016. I would like to thank my colleague. Congressman SANFORD BISHOP of Georgia. We have had many meetings in Washington. as well as back in the district. on this particular issue. Certainly I have enjoyed working with him on it. Todays vote marks an important milestone in many years of effort to bring about increased recognition and enhance cultural preservation of the Ocmulgee National Monument. The Ocmulgee National Monument was originally authorized by Congress in 1934 to protect the Old Ocmulgee Fields. which includes a network of very wellpreserved Indian mounds of great historical importance. The history of the fields can be traced back to Native Americans who first came to the site during the PaleoIndian period to hunt Ice Age mammals. The park is unique in that it vividly displays the story of many stages of prehistoric cultural development. including the Mound Builder period. and highlights the important role of agriculture in the region. I am proud to represent this area of middle Georgia. along with Congressman SANFORD BISHOP. Our offices have worked. along with many regional community partners. to advance this goal. By expanding the current Ocmulgee National Monument from 700 acres to over 2.000 acres and redesignating the area as a National Historic Park. this legislation will provide significant economic. educational. and cultural benefits to middle Georgia. Additionally. H.R. 482 will reauthorize a study for future expansions and include increased opportunities for hunting. fishing. camping. and other recreational activities. The expansion of the Ocmulgee National Monument area provides for critical preservation of additional archeological locations through the Old Ocmulgee Fields. Because of its significant historical and archeological importance. the future Ocmulgee Mounds National Historic Park must be preserved. The expanded park also will generate additional tourism in middle Georgia. while educating visitors on the fascinating history of the many civilizations that have thrived in the region. However. it should be noted that the property in the proposed expansion area would be acquired only from willing donors or sellers using private funds. and that no Federal dollars will be used to achieve expansion. I want to take this time to thank Chairman BISHOP and Ranking Member GRIJALVA. as well as all the members of the House Committee on Natural Resources. for their work to bring this legislation to the floor today. I want to close by noting that this legislation is a true example of what can be achieved when local. State. and Federal leaders work together towards a common goal. The Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park Boundary Act was created from the ground up with many letters of support from the MaconBibb area and well over 3.000 comments from individuals and community groups in support of the expansion. Without this collaboration at every level. none of this would be possible. I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of H.R. 482. the Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park Boundary Act of