[Senate Report 106-482]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
Calendar No. 931
106th Congress Report
SENATE
2d Session 106-482
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HERMANN MONUMENT AND HERMANN HEIGHTS PARK
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October 3 (legislative day, September 22), 2000.--Ordered to be printed
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Mr. Murkowski, from the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources,
submitted the following
R E P O R T
[To accompany H. Con. Res. 89]
The Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, to which 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,
reports favorably thereon without amendment and recommends that
the concurrent resolution do pass.
purpose of the measure
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
The Hermann Monument was erected in 1889 as a tribute to
German immigrants to the United States. It honors Hermann the
Cheruscan, who forged the creation of a united Germany by
defeating three Roman Legions who had occupied the area now
known as Germany. Hermann remains a symbol of German history,
culture, dedication, and perseverance.
The Hermann Monument, located in New Ulm, Minnesota, stands
102 feet tall and is the second largest copper statue in the
United States, behind only the Statue of Liberty. The monument
is in need of renovation and the citizens of New Ulm are
raising the $1.75 million needed for its restoration and for
construction of an interpretive center at its base.
H. Con. Res. 89 provides congressional recognition of the
Hermann Monument and Hermann Heights Park as a national symbol
of the contributions of Americans of German heritage. The
resolution does not authority any Federal funds or assistance.
legislative history
The House of Representatives passed H. Con. Res. 89 on May
9, 2000. A similar resolution, S. Con. Res. 106, was introduced
by Senators Grams and Wellstone on April 13, 2000. The
Subcommittee on National Parks, Historic Preservation and
Recreation held a hearing on S. Con. Res. 106 on July 13, 2000.
At the business meeting on September 20, 2000, the Committee on
Energy and Natural Resources ordered H. Con. Res. 89 favorably
reported.
committee recommendation
The Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, in open
business session on September 20, 2000, by a unanimous vote of
a quorum present, recommends that the Senate pass H. Con. Res.
89.
summary of the resolution
H. Con. Res. 89 resolves that the Hermann Monument and
Hermann Heights Park in New Ulm, Minnesota, are recognized as a
national symbol of the contributions of Americans of German
heritage.
cost and budgetary considerations
The following estimate of the cost of this measure has been
provided by the Congressional Budget Office.
U.S. Congress,
Congressional Budget Office,
Washington, DC, September 26, 2000.
Hon. Frank H. Murkowski,
Chairman, Committee on Energy and Natural Resources,
U.S. Senate, 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 Barry Blom.
Sincerely,
Barry B. Anderson
(For Dan L. Crippen, Director).
Enclosure.
congressional budget office cost estimate
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.
On March 17, 2000, CBO submitted a cost estimate for H.
Con. Res. 89, as ordered reported by the House Committee on
Resources on March 15, 2000. The two resolutions are identical
as are our costs estimates.
The CBO staff contact is Barry Blom. This estimate was
approved by Peter H. Fontaine, Deputy Assistant Director for
Budget Analysis.
regulatory impact evaluation
In compliance with paragraph 11(b) of rule XXVI of the
Standing Rules of the Senate, the Committee makes the following
evaluation of the regulatory impact which would be incurred in
carrying out H. Con. Res. 89. The bill is not a regulatory
measure in the sense of imposing Government-established
standards or significant economic responsibilities on private
individuals and businesses.
No personal information would be collected in administering
the program. Therefore, there would be no impact on personal
privacy.
Little, if any, additional paperwork would result from the
enactment of H. Con. Res. 89 as ordered reported.
executive communications
On July 17, 2000, the Committee on Energy and Natural
Resources requested legislative reports from the Department of
the Interior and the Office of Management and Budget setting
forth Executive agency recommendations on S. Con. Res. 106.
These reports had not been received at the time the report on
H. Con. Res. 89 was filed. When the reports become available,
the Chairman will request that they be printed in the
Congressional Record for the advice of the Senate. The
testimony provided by the National Park Service at the
Subcommittee hearing follows:
Statement of the Department of the Interior
This statement for the record sets forth the comments of
the Department of the Interior regarding S. Con. Res. 106,
which would provide recognition by Congress for the Hermann
Monument and Hermann Heights Park in New Ulm, Minnesota, as a
national symbol of the contributions of Americans of German
heritage. Since the concurrent resolution involves a statement
of Congressional recognition and would not become law, our
comments are limited to providing background information for
the consideration of the committee.
The Hermann Monument, in New Ulm (Brown County), Minnesota,
was added to the National Register of Historic Places on
October 2, 1973. The monument is located in Hermann Heights
Park.
The Hermann Monument was listed for local significance
under National Register Criteria A and C, in the areas of
Ethnic Heritage/European and Art. Consisting progressively of
an 18,-high stone base, ten 25,-tall iron columns, and a ``dome
room'' topped by a 32,-tall statue, the monument reaches a
height of 102 feet. Within the open space defined by the
columns, a spiral staircase leads visitors from the base up
into a masonry-sided room with a copper dome. Atop the dome an
iron-railed walkway circles the column supporting the statue of
Hermann. The monument dominates the local skyline from Hermann
Heights Park in the western section of New Ulm.
Hermann, the person credited with uniting German tribes in
9 A.D. and driving back the Romans, also was a unifying symbol
for the 19th century German immigrants to the United States. In
1885 hundreds of Sons of Hermann Lodges participated in a
nationwide drive to construct a monument to Hermann. The
monument was constructed in 1887-1890 and formally dedicated at
the 21st National Convention of the Sons of Hermann in 1897.
Its location in New Ulm reflects the strong German heritage of
the area.
Julius Berndt of New Ulm planned and built the monument,
which was modeled by Alfonz Pelzer of Salem, Ohio (also known
for Lincoln statues in seven states). The figure is that of a
capped warrior holding a sword aloft in his right hand. Cast in
Ohio, it is sheet copper counter sunk and riveted over an
interior support structure of iron.
The city of New Ulm completed a restoration of the monument
in 1973.
changes in existing law
In compliance with paragraph 12 of rule XXVI of the
Standing Rules of the Senate, the Committee notes that no
changes in existing law are made by H. Con. Res. 89, as ordered
reported.