[House Report 106-534] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] 106th Congress Report HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 2d Session 106-534 ======================================================================= HERMANN MONUMENT AND HERMANN HEIGHTS PARK _______ March 22, 2000.--Referred to the House Calendar and ordered to be printed _______ Mr. Young of Alaska, from the Committee on Resources, submitted the following R E P O R T [To accompany H. Con. Res. 89] [Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office] The Committee on Resources, to whom was referred the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 89) recognizing the Hermann Monument and Hermann Heights Park in New Ulm, Minnesota, as a national symbol of the contributions of Americans of German heritage, having considered the same, report favorably thereon without amendment and recommend that the concurrent resolution be agreed to. PURPOSE OF THE BILL The purpose of H. Con. Res. 89 is to recognize the Hermann Monument and Hermann Heights Park in New Ulm, Minnesota, as a national symbol of the contributions of Americans of German heritage. BACKGROUND AND NEED FOR LEGISLATION H. Con. Res. 89 recognizes the contributions of Americans of German heritage by recognizing the Hermann Monument and Hermann Heights Park in New Ulm, Minnesota, as a national symbol. The monument was erected in 1897 and later dedicated to all German immigrants. Although there are currently almost 60 million individuals of German heritage residing in the United States, there is no recognized, tangible national symbol dedicated to German Americans and their positive contributions to American culture, arts, industry, military, and government. The statue of Hermann the Cheruscan honors a freedom fighter who united ancient German tribes to shed the yoke of Roman tyranny and preserve freedom for the territory of present-day Germany. The Hermann Monument, approximately one hundred feet high, has been placed on the National Register of Historical Places. H. Con. Res. 89 would recognize the Hermann Monument and the Herman Heights Park in New Ulm, Minnesota, as a national symbol for the contributions of German Americans. COMMITTEE ACTION H. Con. Res. 89 was introduced on April 20, 1999, by Congressman David Minge (D-MN). The bill was referred to the Committee on Resources, and within the Committee to the Subcommittee on National Parks and Public Lands. On March 15, 2000, the Full Resources Committee met to consider the bill. The Subcommittee on National Parks and Public Lands was discharged from further consideration of the bill by unanimous consent. No amendments were offered and the resolution was approved by voice vote. COMMITTEE OVERSIGHT FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS Regarding clause 2(b)(1) of rule X and clause 3(c)(1) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the Committee on Resources' oversight findings and recommendations are reflected in the body of this report. CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY STATEMENT Article I, section 8 of the Constitution of the United States grants Congress the authority to enact this resolution. COMPLIANCE WITH HOUSE RULE XIII 1. Cost of Legislation. Clause 3(d)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives requires an estimate and a comparison by the Committee of the costs which would be incurred in carrying out this bill. However, clause 3(d)(3)(B) of that rule provides that this requirement does not apply when the Committee has included in its report a timely submitted cost estimate of the bill prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget Office under section 402 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974. 2. Congressional Budget Act. As required by clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives and section 308(a) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, this resolution does not contain any new budget authority, spending authority, credit authority, or an increase or decrease in revenues or tax expenditures. 3. Government Reform Oversight Findings. Under clause 3(c)(4) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the Committee has received no report of oversight findings and recommendations from the Committee on Government Reform on this resolution. 4. Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate. Under clause 3(c)(3) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives and section 403 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the Committee has received the following cost estimate for this resolution from the Director of the Congressional Budget Office. U.S. Congress, Congressional Budget Office, Washington, DC, March 17, 2000. Hon. Don Young, Chairman, Committee on Resources, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Mr. Chairman: The Congressional Budget Office has prepared the enclosed cost estimate for H. Con. Res. 89, recognizing the Hermann Monument and Hermann Heights Park in New Ulm, Minnesota, as a national symbol of the contributions of Americans of German heritage. If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be pleased to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Deborah Reis. Sincerely, Barry B. Anderson (For Dan L. Crippen, Director). Enclosure. H. Con. Res. 89--Recognizing the Hermann Monument and Hermann Heights Park in New Ulm, Minnesota, as a national symbol of the contributions of Americans of German heritage H. Con. Res. 89 would recognize the Hermann Monument and Hermann Heights Park in Minnesota as a national symbol of German heritage. CBO estimates that passage of the resolution would have no impact on the federal budget. The resolution would not affect direct spending or receipts; therefore, pay- as-you go procedures would not apply. The CBO staff contact is Deborah Reis. This estimate was approved by Peter H. Fontaine, Deputy Assistant Director for Budget Analysis. COMPLIANCE WITH PUBLIC LAW 104-4 This resolution contains no unfunded mandates. PREEMPTION OF STATE, LOCAL, OR TRIBAL LAW This resolution is not intended to preempt State, local, or tribal law. CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW If enacted, this resolution would make no changes in existing law.