HOMEPAGE > NEWSROOM
Press Release
For Immediate Release
October 20, 2008
Contact:
Sean C. Bonyun
(202) 225-3761
Upton Pleased Property Rights of Curious Kids’ Museum Now Belong to St. Joseph Community
President signed Upton’s measure into law on June 6th to cut government red tape and return ownership of St. Joseph Memorial Hall to the community
ST. JOSEPH, MI – Congressman Fred Upton (R-St. Joseph) joined St. Joseph community leaders today for the deed transfer of Memorial Hall, site of the Curious Kids’ Museum, back to the city of St. Joseph. Upton had worked for several years to remove the U.S. government deed restrictions on the property. The U.S. House of Representatives first passed Upton’s measure in May of 2006, but the Senate failed to act before the 109th Congress expired. Upton reintroduced his measure at the start of the 110th Congress in January of 2007, and the U.S. House shortly thereafter again approved Upton’s measure by voice vote on February 27, 2007. Upton’s measure was included in a broad piece of transportation-related legislation, H.R. 1195, that the President signed into law on June 6th.
“At long last, the property of the Curious Kids’ Museum now belongs where it should, to the folks of St. Joseph,” said Upton. “The deed transfer culminates over two-and-a-half years of efforts to remove the government red tape in transferring full authority of St. Joseph Memorial Hall back to the community. The Curious Kids’ Museum is an invaluable member of our community having touched the lives of so many of us through the years, and now the residents of St. Joseph have full ownership of their beloved museum property.”
The city of St. Joseph received the building and property from the federal government through Public Act 81 on May 28, 1935. This conveyance required that the property be used for public park purposes “or such other wholly public use as may be approved by the United States.” The parcel just north of Memorial Hall was conveyed at the same time to the city, but the “public use” restriction was lifted through Public Act 348 on April 30, 1954. Upton’s measure conveys the final interest retained by the United States in the St. Joseph Memorial Hall.
A brief history of Upton’s measure to return control of St. Joseph Memorial Hall to the city of St. Joseph is below:
| February 1, 2006 |
Upton introduces H.R. 4700 to provide for the conditional conveyance of any interest retained by the United States in St. Joseph Memorial Hall in St. Joseph, Michigan. |
| May 3, 2006 |
U.S. House approves H.R. 4700 by voice vote. |
| May 4, 2006 |
H.R. 4700 is referred to the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. The measure is never brought up for consideration. |
| January 16, 2007 |
Upton introduces H.R. 494 to provide for the conditional conveyance of any interest retained by the United States in St. Joseph Memorial Hall in St. Joseph, Michigan. |
| February 27, 2007 |
U.S. House approves H.R. 494 by voice vote. |
| February 28, 2008 |
H.R. 494 referred to Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. |
| April 30, 2008 |
Broad piece of transportation legislation, H.R. 1195, passes House. Measure includes Upton’s H.R. 494. |
| June 6, 2008 |
President signs H.R. 1195 into law, returning property rights of Curious Kids’ Museum back to the St. Joseph community. |
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