[Congressional Bills 106th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 3497 Introduced in House (IH)]
106th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 3497
To authorize a study on the feasibility of preserving certain Civil War
battlefields along the Vicksburg Campaign Trail and of establishing a
Civil Rights Trail in the State of Mississippi.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
November 18, 1999
Mr. Thompson of Mississippi (for himself, Mr. Shows, and Mr. Taylor of
Mississippi) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Resources
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To authorize a study on the feasibility of preserving certain Civil War
battlefields along the Vicksburg Campaign Trail and of establishing a
Civil Rights Trail in the State of Mississippi.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
TITLE I--VICKSBURG CAMPAIGN TRAIL BATTLEFIELDS PRESERVATION
SEC. 101. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the ``Vicksburg Campaign Trail
Battlefields Preservation Act of 1999''.
SEC. 102. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.
(a) Findings.--Congress finds that--
(1) there are situated along the Vicksburg Campaign Trail
in the States of Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, and
Tennessee the sites of several key Civil War battles;
(2) the battlefields along the Vicksburg Campaign Trail are
collectively of national significance in the history of the
Civil War; and
(3) the preservation of those battlefields would vitally
contribute to the understanding of the heritage of the United
States.
(b) Purpose.--The purpose of this title is to authorize a
feasibility study to determine what measures should be taken to
preserve certain Civil War battlefields along the Vicksburg Campaign
Trail.
SEC. 103. DEFINITIONS.
In this title:
(1) Campaign trail state.--The term ``Campaign Trail
State'' means each of the States of Mississippi, Louisiana,
Arkansas, and Tennessee, including political subdivisions of
those States.
(2) Civil war battlefields.--
(A) In general.--The term ``Civil War
battlefields'' means the land and interests in land
that is the site of a Civil War battlefield, including
structures on or adjacent to the land, as generally
depicted on the Map.
(B) Inclusions.--The term ``Civil War
battlefields'' includes--
(i) the battlefields at Helena and Arkansas
Post, Arkansas;
(ii) Goodrich's Landing near Transylvania,
and sites in and around Lake Providence, East
Carroll Parish, Louisiana;
(iii) the battlefield at Milliken's Bend,
Madison Parish, Louisiana;
(iv) the route of Grant's march through
Louisiana from Milliken's Bend to Hard Times,
Madison and Tensas Parishes, Louisiana;
(v) the Winter Quarters at Tensas Parish,
Louisiana;
(vi) Grant's landing site at Bruinsburg,
and the route of Grant's march from Bruinsburg
to Vicksburg, Claiborne, Hinds, and Warren
Counties, Mississippi;
(vii) the battlefield at Port Gibson
(including Shaifer House, Bethel Church, and
the ruins of Windsor), Claiborne County,
Mississippi;
(viii) the battlefield at Grand Gulf,
Claiborne County, Mississippi;
(ix) the battlefield at Raymond (including
Waverly, (the Peyton House)), Hinds County,
Mississippi;
(x) the battlefield at Jackson, Hinds
County, Mississippi;
(xi) the Union siege lines around Jackson,
Hinds County, Mississippi;
(xii) the battlefield at Champion Hill
(including Coker House), Hinds County,
Mississippi;
(xiii) the battlefield at Big Black River
Bridge, Hinds and Warren Counties, Mississippi;
(xiv) the Union fortifications at Haynes
Bluff, Confederate fortifications at Snyder's
Bluff, and remnants of Federal exterior lines,
Warren County, Mississippi;
(xv) the battlefield at Chickasaw Bayou,
Warren County, Mississippi;
(xvi) Pemberton's Headquarters at Warren
County, Mississippi;
(xvii) the site of actions taken in the
Mississippi Delta and Confederate
fortifications near Grenada, Grenada County,
Mississippi;
(xviii) the site of the start of Greirson's
Raid and other related sites, LaGrange,
Tennessee; and
(xix) any other sites considered
appropriate by the Secretary.
(3) Map.--The term ``Map'' means the map entitled
``Vicksburg Campaign Trail National Battlefields'', numbered
______, and dated ______.
(4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of the Interior, acting through the Director of the National
Park Service.
SEC. 104. FEASIBILITY STUDY.
(a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date that funds
are made available to carry out this title, the Secretary shall
complete a feasibility study to determine what measures should be taken
to preserve Civil War battlefields.
(b) Components.--In completing the study, the Secretary shall--
(1) enter into contracts with entities to use advanced
technology such as remote sensing, river modeling, and flow
analysis to determine which property included in the Civil War
battlefields should be preserved, restored, managed,
maintained, or acquired due to the national historical
significance of the property;
(2) evaluate options for the establishment of a management
entity for the Civil War battlefields consisting of a unit of
government or a private nonprofit organization that--
(A) administers and manages the Civil War
battlefields; and
(B) possesses the legal authority to--
(i) receive Federal funds and funds from
other units of government or other
organizations for use in managing the Civil War
battlefields;
(ii) disburse Federal funds to other units
of government or other nonprofit organizations
for use in managing the Civil War battlefields;
(iii) enter into agreements with the
Federal government, State governments, or other
units of government and nonprofit
organizations; and
(iv) acquire land or interests in land by
gift or devise, by purchase from a willing
seller using donated or appropriated funds, or
by donation;
(3) make recommendations to the Campaign Trail States for
the management, preservation, and interpretation of the
natural, cultural, and historical resources of the Civil War
battlefields;
(4) identify appropriate partnerships among Federal, State,
and local governments, regional entities, and the private
sector, including nonprofit organizations and the organization
known as ``Friends of the Vicksburg Campaign and Historic
Trail'', in furtherance of the purposes of this title; and
(5) recommend methods of ensuring continued local
involvement and participation in the management, protection,
and development of the Civil War battlefields.
(c) Report.--Not later than 60 days after the date of completion of
the study under this section, the Secretary shall submit a report
describing the findings of the study to--
(1) the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the
Senate; and
(2) the Committee on Resources of the House of
Representatives.
(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this title $1,500,000.
TITLE II--MISSISSIPPI CIVIL RIGHTS TRAIL STUDY
SEC. 201. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the ``Mississippi Civil Rights Trail
Study Act of 1999''.
SEC. 202. AUTHORIZATION OF STUDY.
(a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date that funds
are made available to carry out this title, the Secretary of the
Interior (hereinafter in this title referred to as the ``Secretary'')
shall complete a study identifying sites within the boundaries of the
State of Mississippi that are significant to the modern civil rights
movement for the purpose of historical interpretation and recognition.
The study shall include an evaluation of the feasibility of
establishing a Civil Rights Trail by linking the identified sites for
interpretive purposes.
(b) Criteria; Emphasis.--In conducting the study pursuant to
subsection (a), the Secretary shall--
(1) use the criteria for the study of areas for potential
inclusion in the National Park System contained in section 8 of
Public Law 91-383 (commonly known as the National Park System
General Authorities Act); and
(2) place special emphasis on studying the sites on the
Mississippi delta and within the Mississippi counties of
Hindes, Lauderdale, Neshoba, Amite, Adams, Harrison, Jackson,
Marshall, Lafayette, Clay, Lowndess, and Noxubee.
SEC. 203. REPORT.
Not later than 60 days after the date of completion of the study
under this section, 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 findings,
conclusions, and recommendations of the study.
SEC. 204. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this title
$2,000,000.
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