WASHINGTON — Congress moved a step closer yesterday to designating a National Historic Trail marking Captain John Smith’s travels in the Chesapeake Bay.

On a voice vote, the House easily passed a bill sponsored by Rep. Jo Ann Davis, R-1st, recognizing the trail to mark a series of water routes traveled by Smith almost 400 years ago. They extend about 3,000 miles in the bay and its tributaries in Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Delaware and the District of Columbia.

“This National Historic Trail designation signifies Captain John Smith’s profound influence that shaped the course of our nation and represents a lasting tribute to the American spirit of discovery and exploration,” Davis said.

The Senate must pass identical legislation before the bill can be signed by the president and become law, and it was not certain if that would happen in this month’s brief lame-duck session.

In supporting the bill, Rep. Robert C. Scott, D-3rd, said its passage would be an important piece of the historic commemoration in 2007 of the 400th anniversary of the founding of Jamestown.

Patrick F. Noonan, chairman emeritus of The Conservation Fund, told the House Committee on Resources in September that the bill recognizes the riches of the Chesapeake, “just as John Smith did when he said, ‘[h]eaven and earth never agreed better to form a more perfect place for man’s habitation.’ “

Peter Hardin is Washington Correspondent for the Richmond Times-Dispatch.