ESTABLISHMENT OF THE GENERAL GEORGE C. MARSHALL HOUSE AS AN AFFILIATED AREA

On 2026-09-14, Representative Bruce Westerman (R-AR-4) delivered a floor speech titled "ESTABLISHMENT OF THE GENERAL GEORGE C. MARSHALL HOUSE AS AN AFFILIATED AREA" in the House.

ESTABLISHMENT OF THE GENERAL GEORGE C. MARSHALL HOUSE AS AN AFFILIATED AREA

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 144 (Monday, September 14, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 144 (Monday, September 14, 2026)] [House] [Pages H5581-H5582] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] ESTABLISHMENT OF THE GENERAL GEORGE C. MARSHALL HOUSE AS AN AFFILIATED AREA Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 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. The Clerk read the title of the bill. The text of the bill is 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. 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 to add extraneous material on S. 603, the bill under consideration. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Arkansas? There was no objection. Mr. WESTERMAN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 603, which would designate the George C. Marshall House in Virginia as an affiliated area of the National Park System. [[Page H5582]] General George C. Marshall was a war hero, statesman, master strategist, and one of the most important figures in modern American history. From his distinguished service in both World Wars to his prominent role in shaping the postwar peace, he was the rare American whose service touched every dimension of national strength. This bill recognizes George Marshall's legacy and ensures that Americans can continue to draw inspiration from his story by designating his historic home and estate as an affiliated area of the National Park System. This designation conveys honor and recognition while keeping the estate's management and fiscal responsibilities within the George C. Marshall International Center. This bill does not put property under Federal management or add to the Federal estate. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time. Ms. ELFRETH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, S. 603 would establish the General George C. Marshall House, the home of one of America's most influential historical figures, as an affiliated area of the National Park System. This would provide a deserved national recognition and allow the George Marshall House to receive technical assistance and limited financial aid from the National Park Service. General Marshall lived at the residence in Leesburg, Virginia, between 1941 and 1959, critical years during his career. He held an impressive resume, serving as Chief of Staff of the Army, special envoy to China, Secretary of State, Secretary of Defense, and president of the American Red Cross. He was renowned for organizing the Allied victory in World War II and for his dedication to rebuilding European economies and democracies through the Marshall Plan, which earned him the Nobel Peace Prize. His home was designated a historical landmark in 1996 for the National Park Service, and then, after a 10-year, $7 million restoration, it became a public museum on Veterans Day in 2005. The home meets all requirements for designation as an affiliated area of the National Park System, and the designation authorized by S. 603 will ensure that the contributions and values of George Marshall are recognized and commemorated by all Americans. I cannot wait to visit. Mr. Speaker, I would be remiss if I did not mention that this is the second time that the House has passed this bill. Back in May of this year, we sent the Senate H.R. 1352, the House companion introduced by Representative Subramanyam. Instead of passing our bill and sending it to the President for his signature, the Senate passed its own version after a disconnect among Republican leadership. But we should not let this infighting get in the way of a good thing. Again, I thank Representative Subramanyam and all members of the George C. Marshall International Center for their dedication to preserving the history and legacy of General Marshall. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support S. 603, and I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time. I am prepared to close, and I join my colleague in her frustration with the Senate. I reserve the balance of my time. Ms. ELFRETH. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I urge my colleagues, despite the bureaucracy, to support the legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time. Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support S. 603, and I yield back the balance of my time. The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Yakym). The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Westerman) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, S. 603. The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the bill was passed. A motion to reconsider was laid on the table. ____________________

Referenced legislation: S603, S603, HR1352