[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 12] [House] [Pages 16913-16914] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]SMITHSONIAN CONSERVATION BIOLOGY INSTITUTE ENHANCEMENT ACT Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5717) to authorize the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution to plan, design, and construct a facility and to enter into agreements relating to education programs at the National Zoological Park facility in Front Royal, Virginia, and for other purposes, as amended. The Clerk read the title of the bill. The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 5717 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute Enhancement Act''. SEC. 2. FACILITY FOR RESEARCH AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS. (a) In General.--The Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution is authorized to plan, design, and construct a facility on National Zoological Park property in Front Royal, Virginia for the purpose of conducting research and educational programs. (b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out subsection (a)-- (1) $1,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2010 and 2011; and (2) $3,000,000 in the aggregate for all succeeding fiscal years. SEC. 3. AGREEMENTS FOR HOUSING AND OTHER SERVICES. (a) In General.--The Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution is authorized to enter into agreements for the provision of housing and other services to the participants in the programs referenced in section 2. (b) Costs.--The housing and other services described in subsection (a) shall be provided at no cost to the Smithsonian Institution. SEC. 4. ANIMAL HOLDING FACILITY. The Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution is authorized to plan, design, and construct animal holding and related program facilities on National Zoological Park property in Front Royal, Virginia, to be funded from nonfederal sources. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Davis) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Daniel E. Lungren) each will control 20 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from California. General Leave Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks in the Record and to include extraneous matter on this legislation. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentlewoman from California? There was no objection. Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 5717 would upgrade the Smithsonian Institution's scientific and educational activities at its unique animal conservation facility, the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute at Front Royal, Virginia. Mr. Speaker, in the interest of time, I understand that there is a consensus on this legislation. I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. DANIEL E. LUNGREN of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure to rise in support of H.R. 5717. Once again, we are back in a bipartisan state supporting this bill. Mr. Speaker, the Smithsonian Institution is an invaluable part of our national heritage and our ongoing commitment to historical preservation and scientific advancement. I am pleased to support this legislation sponsored by our friend and colleague, Congressman Sam Johnson, and the congressional members of the Smithsonian Board of Regents. This legislation will help further the institution's founding mission, which is to support and increase the diffusion of knowledge. This authorizing legislation supports the Smithsonian's important biological conservation work conducted at the National Zoological Park located in Front Royal, Virginia, and strengthens their collaborative partnership with George Mason University in these efforts. The planned renovation and construction, which leverages a very modest Federal investment with significant non-Federal funds, will enhance the education and professional training programs currently underway. {time} 2040 The Smithsonian is truly a unique part of our American culture. I am pleased to support this authorization [[Page 16914]] which helps the Smithsonian maintain its well-deserved international reputation for excellence in scientific discovery and advancement and its continued commitment to the environment that we must steward. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 5717. Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5717, the ``Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute Enhancement Act''. H.R. 5717, as amended, authorizes the Smithsonian Institution to expand the National Zoological Park facility in Front Royal, Virginia, in furtherance of conservation biology research, education and training. Specifically, this legislation will authorize the Smithsonian to: renovate a building to be used primarily for classroom and laboratory space; enter into agreements that will enable third party strategic partners to construct and operate housing and food service facilities on Smithsonian property; and plan, design, and construct animal holding facilities--all at the Front Royal property. The building renovation project is to be funded equally by Federal appropriation, in the amount of $5 million, and by Smithsonian trust sources. The housing and food service facilities are to be funded entirely by third-party financing. The animal holding facility is to be funded entirely from Smithsonian trust sources (i.e., non-Federal sources). The plans and cost estimates for the building renovation project, for which Federal funding is sought, have been carefully reviewed by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The Committee finds the plans and estimates to be reasonable and in consonance with the Smithsonian mission to increase the diffusion of knowledge. Further, the Smithsonian's plans to partner with a third party, in this particular case, George Mason University, to shoulder the capital and operating costs of the residential and food service facilities, is a sensible and business-savvy way to further the Smithsonian's scientific and educational reach. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 5717. Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 5717 would upgrade the Smithsonian Institution's scientific and educational activities at its unique animal conservation facility, the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute at Front Royal, Virginia. The SCBI, a part of the National Zoo, is renowned worldwide for its work preserving and breeding endangered species, and is a magnet for prominent researchers and students starting careers in related fields. The bill will provide additional modern facilities to conduct programs and house students at the site, and relocate animal holding facilities for endangered red pandas and clouded leopards. H.R. 5717 contains three elements. First, the bill would authorize $1 million in Federal funds in fiscal 2010 which has already been appropriated; $1 million in fiscal 2011; and $3 million in later fiscal years, to plan, design, and construct a facility which would include laboratories and offices to conduct research and educational programs. This aggregate authorization of $5 million constitutes the only Federal funds provided in the bill. The Smithsonian would supply an additional $5 million out of its own privately-raised trust funds to complete the project. The bill would also authorize the Smithsonian Board of Regents to enter into agreements for the provision of housing and dining services to participants in the programs, at no cost to the Smithsonian. George Mason University, located in northern Virginia, plans to use $20 million in state revenue bonds to construct a dormitory and cafeteria facility at the site. There would not be any cost to the Federal government or to the Smithsonian. In October, 2008, the Smithsonian and GMU signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish the ``Smithsonian-Mason Global Conservation Studies Program'', and GMU will give course credit to participants. The Smithsonian Institution has frequently entered into cooperative agreements with other institutions, including universities, though this is the first time that it would allow an outside entity to construct a building on property it controls. After 30 years, ownership of the GMU- constructed facilities will pass to the Smithsonian. This no-cost feature makes the project an especially attractive addition to the Smithsonian's infrastructure. Finally, the bill would authorize the Smithsonian to plan, design and construct animal holding and related program facilities at Front Royal, but without any Federal funding. The cost, estimated to be between $1 to 2 million, would be paid for entirely by the Smithsonian's privately-raised trust funds. Mr. Speaker, this legislation was introduced by the three House Members who serve on the Smithsonian Board of Regents--Representatives Becerra, Matsui and Sam Johnson--and by Rep. Wolf of Virginia, in whose district the facility is located. It was considered and reported by voice vote both by the primary committee of jurisdiction, the Committee on House Administration, and by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. I know of no controversy and I urge Members to support H.R. 5717. Mr. DANIEL E. LUNGREN of California. I yield back the balance of my time. Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I certainly support the Smithsonian in this effort, and I look forward to passage of this important legislation. I yield back the balance of my time. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Davis) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 5717, as amended. The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed. A motion to reconsider was laid on the table. ____________________