Heath Shuler: “Carl Sandburg was a national treasure who spent 20 years of his life in the mountains of western North Carolina. While…”

“Carl Sandburg was a national treasure who spent 20 years of his life in the mountains of western North Carolina. While he was not a native son, we in North Carolina are certainly proud to claim him as one of our own. His farm is now a National Historic Site visited by thousands of families around the world. This site is important both for its history and its beauty. H.R. 1100 would revise the boundary of the historic site to add 115 acres. The addition would serve two purposes. The first purpose is to protect the scenic views and open spaces the Sandburg family enjoyed from their home. The second purpose is to allow the site to build a much-needed visitor center and parking area. These additions are part of the site's General Management Plan which was adopted in 2003, after a full public process. This bill has wide bipartisan support. The administration has testified in support of this bill. North Carolina Senators Richard Burr and Elizabeth Dole are pushing companion legislation in the Senate. And this is strongly supported by local county government. I thank Chairman Grijalva, Chairman Rahall, and members of the committee for their support.”