Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. H.R. 5162 removes the use restriction on a 3-acre parcel of Federal land granted in 1990 to Rockingham County, Virginia. The county no longer needs the parcel for child care and seeks to develop it for other purposes. The 3-acre parcel was given to Rockingham County through the National Park Service's Federal Lands to Parks Program. The Federal Lands to Parks Program provides Federal land to counties and to other State and local entities to develop community parks and public spaces. If land granted through this program is no longer needed for its original purpose, the National Park Service has the administrative authority to sell the land at fair market value. This involves what could be a very lengthy valuation process, but it is important to remember that these assets are owned by the American taxpayers, held in trust by the Federal Government, and they deserve a fair return. In this case, to the best of my knowledge, Rockingham County did not approach the National Park Service to discuss purchasing the land at fair market value. Instead, the county went straight to Congress for this legislative fix. Revisionary clauses and land use restrictions exist to ensure the fair use of Federal land and a fair return to the American taxpayer. Of course, it is important to look at these on a case-by-case basis, recognizing when Congress should chime in and when it is more appropriate for administrative action.…”