[Congressional Bills 105th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2800 Introduced in House (IH)]







105th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 2800

   To provide for a study of the establishment of Midway Atoll as a 
   national memorial to the Battle of Midway, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            November 4, 1997

  Mr. Duncan introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
                         Committee on Resources

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
   To provide for a study of the establishment of Midway Atoll as a 
   national memorial to the Battle of Midway, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Battle of Midway National Memorial 
Study Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    The Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) September 2, 1997, marked the 52d anniversary of the 
        United States victory over Japan in World War II.
            (2) The Battle of Midway proved to be the turning point in 
        the war in the Pacific, as United States Navy forces inflicted 
        such severe losses on the Imperial Japanese Navy during the 
        battle that the Imperial Japanese Navy never again took the 
        offensive against United States or allied forces.
            (3) During the Battle of Midway on June 4, 1942, an 
        outnumbered force of the United States Navy, consisting of 29 
        ships and other units of the Armed Forces under the command of 
        Admiral Nimitz and Admiral Spruance, outmaneuvered and out-
        fought 350 ships of the Imperial Japanese Navy.
            (4) It is in the public interest to study whether Midway 
        Atoll should be established as a national memorial to the 
        Battle of Midway to express the enduring gratitude of the 
        American people for victory in the battle and to inspire future 
        generations of Americans with the heroism and sacrifice of the 
        members of the Armed Forces who achieved that victory.
            (5) The historic structures on Midway Atoll should be 
        protected and maintained.

SEC. 3. PURPOSE.

    The purpose of this Act shall be to require a study of the 
feasibility and suitability of designating the Midway Atoll as a 
national memorial to the Battle of Midway within the boundaries of the 
Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge. The study of the Midway Atoll 
and its environs shall include, but not be limited to, identification 
of interpretive opportunities for the educational and inspirational 
benefit of present and future generations, and of the unique and 
significant circumstances involving the defense of the island by the 
United States in World War II and the Battle of Midway.

SEC. 4. STUDY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF MIDWAY ATOLL AS A NATIONAL 
              MEMORIAL TO THE BATTLE OF MIDWAY.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 6 months after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Interior shall, acting 
through the Director of the National Park Service and in consultation 
with the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, the 
International Midway Memorial Foundation, Inc. (hereafter referred to 
as the ``Foundation''), and Midway Phoenix Corporation, carry out a 
study of the suitability and feasibility of establishing Midway Atoll 
as a national memorial to the Battle of Midway.
    (b) Considerations.--In studying the establishment of Midway Atoll 
as a national memorial to the Battle of Midway under subsection (a), 
the Secretary shall address the following:
            (1) The appropriate Federal agency to manage such a 
        memorial, and whether and under what conditions to lease or 
        otherwise allow the Foundation or another appropriate entity to 
        administer, maintain, and fully utilize for use as a national 
        memorial to the Battle of Midway the lands (including any 
        equipment, facilities, infrastructure, and other improvements) 
        and waters of Midway Atoll if designated as a national 
        memorial.
            (2) Whether designation as a national memorial would 
        conflict with current management of Midway Atoll as a wildlife 
        refuge and whether, and under what circumstances, the needs and 
        requirements of the wildlife refuge should take precedence over 
        the needs and requirements of a national memorial on Midway 
        Atoll.
            (3) Whether, and under what conditions, to permit the use 
        of the facilities on Sand Island for purposes other than a 
        wildlife refuge or a national memorial.
            (4) Whether to impose conditions on public access to Midway 
        Atoll if designated as a national memorial.
    (c) Report.--Upon completion of the study required under subsection 
(a), the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural 
Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Resources of the House of 
Representatives a report on the study, which shall include any 
recommendations for further legislative action. The report shall also 
include an inventory of all known past and present facilities and 
structures of historical significance on Midway Atoll and its environs. 
The report shall include a description of each historic facility and 
structure and a discussion of how each will contribute to the 
designation and interpretation of the proposed national memorial.

SEC. 5. CONTINUING DISCUSSIONS.

    Nothing in this Act shall be construed to delay or prohibit 
discussions between the Foundation and the United States Fish and 
Wildlife Service or any other government entity regarding the future 
role of the Foundation on Midway Atoll.
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