Passage of H.R. 748, the Keweenaw National Historical Park ADVISORY COMMISSION BILL

Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I am very pleased that the Senate is about to approve H.R. 748, legislation to repair a constitutional defect in the way the advisory commission was structured in the Act which established the Keweenaw National Historical Park. The Act instructed the Secretary of the Interior to select an Advisory Commission from a list of nominees provided by state and local officials. The Justice Department has taken the position that this provision violates the Appointments Clause of the Constitution (Article II, Section 2).

Mr. President, I have worked hard to pass this legislation in the Senate which has already passed the House of Representatives. With the President's signature, this legislation can now become law relieving the uncertainty and ambiguity relative to the commission which has lasted too long by permitting the appointment of the advisory commission to move forward. This will greatly assist in my efforts and those of the many supporters and admirers of this beautiful and historic park.

Along with the money being appropriated today for the Park, we are giving a major boost to the preservation of this significant part of Michigan's and America's history.