Tulare Youth Recreation and Women's History Enhancement Act

Floor Speech

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 805, releases the reversionary interests on two parcels of land in Tulare County in California. These parcels are currently leased from the Union Pacific Railroad and contain a skate park and historic women's club, owned and operated by the city.

City officials want to make improvements to both facilities, but are unable to secure financing without clean and free titles to the property.

In the 19th century, Congress granted the land to Southern Pacific Railroad, the predecessor of Union Pacific, for use as a railroad right-of-way. Congress subsequently authorized the railroad to lease the land to Tulare for other public purposes. However, the land remains encumbered with a reversionary interest.

Congress passed a law in 1998 that released the reversionary interest on 12 parcels in Tulare. H.R. 805 deals with two additional parcels, allowing Union Pacific to sell the land to Tulare and clear the way for planned improvements.

The 1998 law was the first time Congress authorized the release of a reversionary interest for redevelopment purposes. At the time, the railroad had already sold the land at Tulare, even though it belonged to taxpayers, and Congress had to intervene to remedy the situation. Unlike the situation in 1998, the two parcels affected by this bill have not been sold and under normal circumstances, the Federal Government--not Union Pacific--should receive payment for the parcels if they are no longer used as originally intended by Congress.

However, the history of congressional involvement in Tulare justifies an exception to this standard. Due to the circumstances, I am happy to support this bill and I urge my colleagues to support its adoption.

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Mr. BROWN of Maryland. Mr. Speaker, I agree. I think no Member of Congress enjoys an unnecessary crawl back, but I think the majority of the Members of Congress recognize our duty to protect the public interest.

We resoundingly support what is a very, very good bill. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

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