Steve Pearce: “Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3257 sponsored by the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Ryan) and amended by the Committee on Resources would…”

“Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3257 sponsored by the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Ryan) and amended by the Committee on Resources would authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study to determine the suitability and feasibility of establishing the Western Reserve Heritage Area. The proposed study area under this bill would encompass 14 modern-day counties in Ohio which throughout history have made a unique contribution to the cultural, political and industrial development of the United States. The Western Reserve is every bit as distinctive as the land settled by the people of Connecticut after the Revolutionary War and holds a unique mark as the original wilderness in the West that many settlers migrated to in order to begin life outside the original 13 colonies. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3257, as amended, is supported by the majority and minority of the committee and by the administration. I urge adoption of this bill.”