STAR-SPANGLED SUMMIT ACT OF 2026

On 2026-05-19, Representative Bruce Westerman (R-AR-4) delivered a floor speech titled "STAR-SPANGLED SUMMIT ACT OF 2026" in the House.

STAR-SPANGLED SUMMIT ACT OF 2026

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 85 (Tuesday, May 19, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 85 (Tuesday, May 19, 2026)] [House] [Pages H3570-H3572] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] {time} 1550 STAR-SPANGLED SUMMIT ACT OF 2026 Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4684) to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to issue a special use permit with respect to the maintaining of a flagpole bearing the flag of the United States at Kyhv Peak Lookout Point, Utah, and for other purposes, as amended. The Clerk read the title of the bill. The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 4684 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 ``Star-Spangled Summit Act of 2026''. SEC. 2. SPECIAL USE PERMIT FOR INSTALLATION, OPERATION, MAINTENANCE, AND REMOVAL OF COVERED FLAGPOLE AT KYHV PEAK LOOKOUT POINT. (a) Definitions.--In this section: (1) Covered flagpole.--The term ``covered flagpole'' means a flagpole bearing the flag of the United States. (2) Kyhv peak lookout point.--The term ``Kyhv Peak Lookout Point'' means the peak within the Uinta National Forest overlooking Utah Valley and located approximately at latitude 4016'18.14" N, longitude 11136'58.57" W. (3) Qualified person.--The term ``qualified person'' means an individual that resides in, or a nonprofit entity or volunteer organization that carries out operations of the entity or organization in, Utah County, Utah, that has-- (A) experience placing, maintaining, or otherwise caring for a covered flagpole; and (B) any other experience determined relevant by the Secretary. (4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service. (b) Special Use Permit.--Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act and notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary shall issue a special use permit for a period of 10 years for the installation, operation, maintenance, and removal, if necessary, of a covered flagpole at Kyhv Peak Lookout Point to-- (1) an individual who has submitted a special use permit application to display the flag of the United States seasonally on Kyhv Peak prior to March 5, 2026; (2) an individual who has placed or displayed the flag of the United States at Kyhv Peak Lookout Point as part of a longstanding seasonal practice prior to the date of enactment of this Act; or (3) if an individual described in paragraphs (1) and (2) declines such permit, to a qualified person in accordance with this section. (c) Selection and Issuance.-- (1) Application.--Except as provided in subsection (b), to be eligible to be selected for a special use permit under this section, a qualified person shall submit to the Secretary a proposal and application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require. (2) Terms and conditions.--The Secretary may impose such terms and conditions on a holder of a special use permit under this section as the Secretary determines necessary to ensure the proper care and maintenance of a covered flagpole. (3) Land use fee exemption.--The Secretary shall not assess any land use fees with respect to a special use permit issued under this section. (4) Notice of application.--The Secretary shall publish notice of the availability of any special use permit under this section on the website of the Forest Service and in a local Utah County, Utah, newspaper of record. (d) Subsequent Special Use Permits.-- (1) In general.--The Secretary shall renew or issue a new 10-year special use permit not later than 180 days after the date that is the earliest of the following: (A) The date that is 10 years after the date on which the Secretary issued the preceding permit. (B) The date on which the holder of the current special use permit requests revocation of such permit. (C) The date on which a special use permit is subject to early termination under paragraph (2). (2) Revocation.--If the Secretary determines that the holder of a special use permit under this section is not in compliance with the terms and conditions relating to such permit under subsection (c)(3), the Secretary may revoke the special use permit. (e) Exemption From Cost Recovery Fees.--A holder of a special use permit under this section shall be exempt from any cost recovery fee under section 251.58 of title 36, Code of Federal Regulations. (f) Applicability of NEPA.--The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) shall not apply to the issuance, renewal, or administration of a special use permit under this section, including any activities associated with the placing, maintenance, or removal of a covered flagpole at Kyhv Peak Lookout Point. (g) Access.--The Secretary may authorize reasonable access to Kyhv Peak Lookout Point for the purpose of exercising rights under a special use permit issued under this section, subject to conditions necessary to protect public safety and natural resources. (h) Limitation.--The Secretary shall ensure the activities and access authorized by this section are limited to the smallest practicable area. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Westerman) and the gentlewoman from Maryland (Ms. Elfreth) each will control 20 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Arkansas. General Leave Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 4684, the bill now under consideration. [[Page H3571]] The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Arkansas? There was no objection. Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise today in support of H.R. 4684, the Star-Spangled Summit Act of 2026, introduced by Representative Kennedy from Utah. This bill provides a simple, commonsense, and long-overdue fix that restores a longstanding patriotic tradition in Utah for generations to come. For more than two decades, a Scoutmaster named Robert Collins and his local Boy Scout troop hiked to the summit of Kyhv Peak Lookout Point to raise the American flag above the city of Provo, Utah. What began as a simple, patriotic gesture grew into a cherished community event. The annual raising of the American flag on this mountaintop has become not only a symbol of local pride for the Provo area but also a meaningful rite of passage for many young people in the community. Unfortunately, that tradition came to an abrupt end in 2022 when the U.S. Forest Service ordered the flag's prompt removal due to the absence of a special use permit for the flagpole. Overnight, a patriotic tradition that had brought a community together for 20 years was snuffed out by bureaucratic process. Since then, efforts to restore the tradition through administrative channels have moved slowly and without resolution. H.R. 4684 provides a straightforward solution. The bill directs the Forest Service to issue a 10-year special use permit for the seasonal placement of the American flag at Kyhv Peak and establishes a clear framework to allow the tradition to continue in perpetuity. Importantly, the legislation also waives all fees associated with the permit because you shouldn't have to pay to be patriotic. As our Nation celebrates 250 years of American independence, Congress should be encouraging patriotism and uplifting local traditions that bring communities together. This thoughtful legislation ensures that the Federal Government will no longer stand in the way of volunteers seeking to honor the American flag and show their love of country. I thank Representative Kennedy for his leadership on this effort and for his diligent work on the Committee on Natural Resources on behalf of his constituents. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 4684, and I reserve the balance of my time. Ms. ELFRETH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. H.R. 4684 would authorize the Forest Service to issue a permit authorizing the maintenance of a flagpole at Kyhv Peak Lookout Point in Utah. This peak is located near Provo, Utah, in the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest. It is a popular hiking destination that is used to feature the prominent flagpole displaying the American flag, which was first installed in 2000 by a Boy Scout troop. However, U.S. Forest Service regulations prohibit the construction, placing, or maintaining of any structure on National Forest System land. The initial placement of this flagpole did not receive a permit, and consequently, the agency ordered the removal of the flagpole. These agency policies are vital for the proper stewardship of our resources, and the support for this bill should in no way be seen as an attempt to undermine or weaken that very crucial standard. We must continue to promote the simple but important principle of ``leave no trace'' to continue to minimize the impact of our visits on the plants, animals, and ecosystems we all hold dear. To be clear, the agency should be able to resolve this situation on their own. The Forest Service has testified before the Committee on Natural Resources that they are working to issue the necessary permit without congressional action. However, this patriotic display, especially in our 250th year, as the chair said, is important to the local community and visitors alike. I support the moving of this legislation today to resolve this issue promptly and return the flag to Kyhv Peak. Mr. Speaker, I urge support of this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Kennedy), the lead sponsor of this bill. Mr. KENNEDY of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chai

Referenced legislation: HR4684, HR4684