[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 2] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page 2446] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]H.R. 1528: NEW ENGLAND NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL DESIGNATION ACT ______ HON. NANCY E. BOYDA of kansas in the house of representatives Monday, February 25, 2008 Mrs. BOYDA of Kansas. Madam Speaker, we heard a lot of debate recently that focused on the threat of passing the New England National Scenic Trail Designation Act. The other side of the aisle attacked the bill with the proclamation that private property owners would have their land seized by the Federal government. This clearly wasn't the case. As stated before, the bill only allowed the National Park Service to purchase land from willing sellers. But in the spirit of that debate, I'd like to take a moment and discuss eminent domain. I know that myself, the constituents of the Second District of Kansas, nearly every American has the same feelings towards eminent domain. No one wants a federal official knocking on their door asking for their keys and telling them to ``pack up and move.'' Our founding fathers created this country to throw off such tyrannical uses of power by the Government, and we must continue that legacy today. State, local and Federal Government has a duty to its citizens to preserve their right to private property and use eminent domain only in the rarest of circumstances when it is absolutely necessary. Those occasions should be few and far in between. And in every circumstance, the Government must look at all options and alternatives to seizing someone's home, business and livelihood. We must ensure proper compensation to private property owners, and not force our citizens into untenable situations. What was truly upsetting about our debate was the other side of the aisle throwing out this term, getting the American people in an uproar, with no factual basis that eminent domain would be used. It would seem that the Minority's only goal is to further divide this country and make the passage of legislation impossible. We have seen this time and time again. The Minority would rather sit in their corner making baseless attacks against good legislation when they should be fulfilling their constitutional role as Representatives, as leaders, and work with my colleagues to do what is best for the country. I was pleased to see both sides coming together to quickly pass an important economic stimulus package, but more cooperation is needed for children's health insurance, the Farm Bill and this year's upcoming appropriation process. I hope in this new session we see more of what we saw during the passage of the economic stimulus bill, and not a return to the same old politics that plagued our Chamber last year. ____________________