Chip Cravaack: “I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2947. This straightforward, commonsense…”

“I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2947. This straightforward, commonsense bill will remedy an unintentional consequence of the restrictive language of the original deed set in Cook County, Minnesota. In the 1950s, the Secretary of Agriculture granted a deed to the State of Minnesota to build an airport in Cook County. The deed only allowed the land to be used for airport purposes. That made sense at the time, but it now precludes the county from building a connector road on a sliver of the land. The connector project enjoys broad support throughout the community. H.R. 2947 does not seek any appropriation of Federal funds, nor does it authorize the project. It merely only proposes to remove a clause placed in the deed when the land was originally granted. This bill allows Cook County, Minnesota, to manage their own land as they see fit. The bill enjoys bipartisan support of Minnesota Senators and Minnesota State representatives. I've reached out to the United States Forest Service, and they have responded by saying they have no objections and support this legislation moving forward. I look forward to quickly remedying this problem so that Cook County can create jobs and improve the lives of its residents and businesses. I ask for my colleagues to please join me in supporting this bill.”