Mr. Chairman, I would like say a few things about H.R. 606 (S. 262) Senator Feinstein's Angel Island bill. The history of Angel Island is an important chapter in our nation's history, and I am pleased to be an original cosponsor of Senator Feinstein's bill to authorize funding to help with the restoration of the Angel Island Immigration Station facility.

I visited Angel Island in 1999 because of my interest in understanding and documenting the history of Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, and other groups not traditionally acknowledged through public history. I was moved by the poems that were written on the walls of the barracks during the struggle of Japanese and Chinese trying to come to the U.S.

I was impressed with the amount we can learn about our collective history through the restoration of the immigration facility. The Immigration Station at Angel Island is an important part of the history of the "Peopling of America."

I know there is concern with this bill because it authorizes a pass-through grant from the National Park Service to help restore a non-Federal facility. As a general rule, I share the concern that Park Service funding not be diluted for non-Federal purposes. However, I think a different case can be made for this bill. Angel Island has already been designated by the Secretary of the Interior as a National Historical Landmark, the highest designation the Secretary can bestow, and one that showcases Angel Island's national significance. In my opinion, Angel Island, like its eastern counterpart Ellis Island, would be an appropriate addition to the National Park System.

However, in this case, the State of California and a non-profit group, the Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation, have stepped in to assume management responsibilities for the site. Any Federal funds appropriated for this purpose must be matched on at least a one-to-one basis with non-Federal funds. The State of California has already approved a $15 million bond for restoration at Angel Island, which would be in addition to other State contributions and funds raised by the Foundation.

Mr. Chairman, I appreciate your putting this bill in the markup today, and I look forward to its expeditious passage.