On the recordNovember 17, 2014
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from Idaho (Mr. Labrador) for yielding, and I thank the gentleman from Minnesota for his kind remarks about my ads, which I know there weren't many positive ads in the Duluth market, but I did have one. So I appreciate that, Mr. Nolan, and thank you for your support of what is a very important bill for folks in northern Wisconsin. I have a picture of what this actual lighthouse looks like right off the community of Ashland. This bill, H.R. 4049, is the bill that will transfer the Ashland Breakwater Light from the Coast Guard to the National Park Service. This lighthouse has stood here for over 100 years, standing strong on the shores of Lake Superior in dark nights and in storms, guarding our ships in their safe passage to our harbor, but also welcoming back travelers who have left the greater Ashland community and on the way home. I had a chance to live in Ashland for 10 years, raising my children. My second-born son was born there. I think my third, fourth, and fifth were born there as well. I lose count after a while, but it is a great community. This lighthouse is a big part of our identity in Ashland. Right now, the lighthouse has an uncertain future because the Coast Guard has indicated several times, most recently in 2012, that they are going to give up management of the lighthouse.…





