DESIGNATING THE GENERAL GEORGE C. MARSHALL HOUSE, IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, AS AN AFFILIATED AREA OF THE NATIONAL PARK SYSTEM

On 2026-05-20, Senator Cynthia M. Lummis (R-WY) delivered a floor speech titled "DESIGNATING THE GENERAL GEORGE C. MARSHALL HOUSE, IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, AS AN AFFILIATED AREA OF THE NATIONAL" in the Senate.

DESIGNATING THE GENERAL GEORGE C. MARSHALL HOUSE, IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, AS AN AFFILIATED AREA OF THE NATIONAL PARK SYSTEM

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 86 (Wednesday, May 20, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 86 (Wednesday, May 20, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S2387] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] DESIGNATING THE GENERAL GEORGE C. MARSHALL HOUSE, IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, AS AN AFFILIATED AREA OF THE NATIONAL PARK SYSTEM ______ REDESIGNATING THE NATIONAL HISTORIC TRAILS INTERPRETIVE CENTER IN CASPER, WYOMING, AS THE ``BARBARA L. CUBIN NATIONAL HISTORIC TRAILS INTERPRETIVE CENTER'' Ms. LUMMIS. Mr. President, as if in legislative session, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources be discharged from further consideration and the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of the following bills, en bloc: S. 603 and S. 790. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the bills by title. The bill clerk read as follows: A bill (S. 603) to designate the General George C. Marshall House, in the Commonwealth of Virginia, as an affiliated area of the National Park System, and for other purposes. A bill (S. 790) to redesignate the National Historic Trails Interpretive Center in Casper, Wyoming, as the ``Barbara L. Cubin National Historic Trails Interpretive Center''. There being no objection, the committee was discharged of the bills, and the Senate proceeded to consider the bills, en bloc. Ms. LUMMIS. Mr. President, I further ask unanimous consent that the bills be considered read a third time and passed and that the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table, all en bloc. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The bills (S. 603 and S. 790) were ordered to be engrossed for a third reading, were read the third time, and passed en bloc as follows: S. 603 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. ESTABLISHMENT OF THE GENERAL GEORGE C. MARSHALL HOUSE AS AN AFFILIATED AREA. (a) In General.--The General George C. Marshall House in the Commonwealth of Virginia is established as an affiliated area of the National Park System (referred to in this section as the ``affiliated area'') to promote public appreciation of the significant historic contributions made by United States military leader and statesman George Catlett Marshall, Jr. (b) Description of Affiliated Area.--The affiliated area shall consist of the area generally depicted as the ``General George C. Marshall House Property, Leesburg, Virginia'' on the map entitled ``General George C. Marshall House, Proposed Affiliated Area'', numbered 999/189,974, and dated September 2023. (c) Administration.--The affiliated area shall be managed in a manner consistent with-- (1) this section; and (2) any law generally applicable to units of the National Park System. (d) Management Entity.--The George C. Marshall International Center shall be the management entity for the affiliated area. (e) Agreements.--The Secretary of the Interior (referred to in this section as the ``Secretary'')-- (1) may provide technical assistance and enter into cooperative agreements with the management entity designated by subsection (d) for the purpose of providing financial assistance for the marketing, marking, interpretation, and preservation of the affiliated area; and (2) shall enter into an agreement with the management entity designated by subsection (d) that describes the roles and responsibilities for the management of the affiliated area consistent with the policies and standards that apply to units of the National Park System. (f) Limited Role of the Secretary.--Nothing in this section authorizes the Secretary-- (1) to acquire property at the affiliated area; or (2) to assume overall financial responsibility for the operation, maintenance, or management of the affiliated area. S. 790 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. DESIGNATION OF BARBARA L. CUBIN NATIONAL HISTORIC TRAILS INTERPRETIVE CENTER. (a) In General.--The National Historic Trails Interpretive Center established under section 2(a) of Public Law 105-290 (112 Stat. 2783) in Casper, Wyoming, shall be known and designated as the ``Barbara L. Cubin National Historic Trails Interpretive Center''. (b) References.--Any reference in a law, map, regulation, document, paper, or other record of the United States to the National Historic Trails Interpretive Center referred to in subsection (a) shall be deemed to be a reference to the ``Barbara L. Cubin National Historic Trails Interpretive Center''. (c) Conforming Amendment.--Section 2(a) of Public Law 105- 290 (112 Stat. 2783) is amended, in the second sentence, by striking ``the National Historic Trails Interpretive Center'' and inserting ``the `Barbara L. Cubin National Historic Trails Interpretive Center' ''. S. 790 Ms. CUMMIS. Mr. President, today I rise with great joy and pride to celebrate the passage of S. 790, a bill to rename the National Historic Trails Interpretive Center in Casper, WY, after former Representative Barbara Cubin, a true Wyoming trailblazer and a longtime personal friend. Barbara Cubin was the first woman elected to Federal office from our State and one of the most consequential public servants Wyoming has ever known. She gave more than a decade of her life in service to Wyoming here in Washington, and her record speaks for itself. She was a founding member of the Congressional Western Caucus and fought tirelessly to protect our lands, Western heritage, and way of life. Nearly 30 years ago, she secured the very legislation that created the center we are now proud to name in her honor. Barbara wasn't just making history; she was preserving it for future generations. For those who haven't yet visited, the National Historic Trails Interpretive Center in Casper brings to life the stories of the 500,000 pioneers who traveled the Oregon, Mormon Pioneer, and California Trails between 1840 and 1890 in search of land, religious freedom, gold, and a better life. The interactive exhibits, productions, and galleries take visitors through the triumphs and hardships of westward expansion. Barbara Cubin blazed trails her entire career, not just for Wyoming, but for women across this country who saw in her what was possible, myself included. She proved that a woman from Wyoming could stand in these halls and fight for her constituents with the best of them. She opened doors that had been closed for generations. I am grateful to my colleagues Senator Barrasso and Representative Hageman for joining me in this effort and to this body for moving this bill forward. As we celebrate this passage during Alzheimer's Awareness Month, I want to acknowledge the special urgency and meaning behind this honor. Barbara Cubin is today battling advanced Alzheimer's, and it is our deepest hope that she can see the significance of this recognition, that her country, and especially her beloved Wyoming, remembers her and cherishes her legacy. I can think of no one more worthy of having their name immortalized at these trails than Barbara Cubin. She deserves this honor, her family deserves this moment, and Wyoming is proud to celebrate her. I hope everyone will add the Barbara L. Cubin National Historic Trails Interpretive Center in Casper to their list of travel destinations. ____________________

Referenced legislation: S603, S603, S790