OPINION: Locally Grown Bills That Went to Washington

Even though we live relatively close to Washington, D.C., I suspect at least some of the work that goes on there remains a mystery to a lot of folks. Perry Hall Patch readers may gain a better understanding of the U.S. House of Representatives by examining some of the legislation that has been introduced by the three elected congressmen who represent portions of Perry Hall: Andy Harris (R, MD-1), Dutch Ruppersberger (D, MD-2) and John Sarbanes (D, MD-3). 

For each member, I have selected legislation that has been introduced during the current 112th Session of Congress, in which one of our local congressmen is the principal sponsor. I have provided a factual summary for each of the bills listed, without any editorial comment. It should be noted that these legislators also have signed on as co-sponsors to bills that have been introduced by other members of Congress. For a complete listing of all of the bills each of these legislators has worked on in some capacity, you should refer to their respective websites.

Rep. Andy Harris

H.R. 4007: Harriet Tubman National Historical Parks Act

• This legislation would create parks honoring this American icon. One park, the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park, would be located in Caroline, Dorchester, and Talbot Counties, Maryland, while another would be located in Auburn, New York (where Tubman is buried).  The legislation would also empower the Interior Department to work together with local entities to ensure the historic preservation, restoration, interpretation and maintenance of these parks.

Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger

H.R. 961: Safe Haven for Heroes Act of 2011

• The “Safe Haven for Heroes Act” would prohibit protests for the five hours preceding a military funeral and then for an additional five hours afterward. This legislation also proposes to limit protests that do take place to 2,500 feet from the funeral facility. Ruppersberger introduced this legislation in response to a protest organized by the Kansas-based Westboro Baptist Church, at the funeral of Maryland soldier Lance Cpl. Matthew Snyder.

Rep. John Sarbanes

H.R. 1651: Save the Chesapeake Bay Homeowner Act of 2011

• This legislation would create a “Save the Chesapeake Bay Home” designation program. This program would identify and promote voluntary steps that Chesapeake Bay watershed homeowners could take to reduce nutrient and sediment runoff and improve water quality in local streams and rivers that flow to the Bay. Homes that adopt some of these strategies, such as installing rain barrels or reducing fertilizer on their lawns, could be designated as “Save the Chesapeake Bay Homes.” States and local governments would be able to get credit from the Environmental Protection Agency for nutrient and sediment level reduction, based on the number of homes receiving the designation.

Each of these bills is presently being considered by the relevant committees of jurisdiction. I would encourage readers to take a look at what all of our elected legislators in Congress have been working on, and share your views with them on these and any other issues that you care about.