[Congressional Bills 106th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 659 Introduced in House (IH)]
106th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 659
To authorize appropriations for the protection of Paoli and Brandywine
Battlefields in Pennsylvania, to direct the National Park Service to
conduct a special resource study of Paoli and Brandywine Battlefields,
to authorize the Valley Forge Museum of the American Revolution at
Valley Forge National Historical Park, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
February 9, 1999
Mr. Weldon of Pennsylvania (for himself, Mr. Pitts, Mr. English, Mr.
Hoeffel, Mr. Mascara, Mr. Gekas, Mr. Greenwood, Mr. Holden, Mr.
Shuster, Mr. Brady of Pennsylvania, Mr. Doyle, Mr. Sherwood, Mr. Coyne,
Mr. Peterson of Pennsylvania, Mr. Fattah, Mr. Toomey, Mr. Klink, Mr.
Andrews, Mr. Kanjorski, Mr. Borski, Mr. Murtha, Mr. Castle, and Mr.
Goodling) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Resources
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To authorize appropriations for the protection of Paoli and Brandywine
Battlefields in Pennsylvania, to direct the National Park Service to
conduct a special resource study of Paoli and Brandywine Battlefields,
to authorize the Valley Forge Museum of the American Revolution at
Valley Forge National Historical Park, 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 ``Protect America's Treasures of the
Revolution for Independence for Our Tomorrow Act'' or the ``PATRIOT
Act''.
TITLE I--PAOLI AND BRANDYWINE BATTLEFIELDS
SEC. 101. PAOLI BATTLEFIELD PROTECTION.
(a) Paoli Battlefield.--The Secretary of the Interior (hereinafter
referred to as the ``Secretary'') is authorized to provide funds to the
borough of Malvern, Pennsylvania, for the protection and preservation
of the area known as the ``Paoli Battlefield'', located in the borough
of Malvern, Pennsylvania, as generally depicted on the map entitled
``Paoli Battlefield'' numbered ____ and dated ____ (referred to in this
title as the ``Paoli Battlefield''). The map shall be on file in the
appropriate offices of the National Park Service.
(b) Cooperative Agreement and Technical Assistance.--The Secretary
shall enter into a cooperative agreement with the borough of Malvern,
Pennsylvania, for the management by the borough of the Paoli
Battlefield. The Secretary may provide technical assistance to the
borough of Malvern to assure the preservation and interpretation of the
battlefield's resources.
(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated $2,500,000 to carry out this section. Such funds shall be
expended in the ratio of $1 of Federal funds for each dollar of funds
contributed by non-Federal sources. Any funds provided by the Secretary
shall be subject to an agreement that provides for the protection of
the land's resources.
SEC. 102. BRANDYWINE BATTLEFIELD PROTECTION.
(a) Brandywine Battlefield.--The Secretary is authorized to provide
funds to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, a political subdivision of
the Commonwealth, or the Brandywine Conservancy, for the protection and
preservation of land in an area generally known as the Meetinghouse
Road Corridor, located in Chester County, Pennsylvania, as depicted on
a map entitled ``Brandywine Battlefield--Meetinghouse Road Corridor'',
numbered ____ and dated ____ (referred to in this title as the
``Brandywine Battlefield''). The map shall be on file in the
appropriate offices of the National Park Service.
(b) Cooperative Agreement and Technical Assistance.--The Secretary
shall enter into a cooperative agreement with the same entity that is
provided funds under subsection (a) for the management by the entity of
the Brandywine Battlefield. The Secretary may also provide technical
assistance to the entity to assure the preservation and interpretation
of the battlefield's resources.
(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated $3,000,000 to carry out this section. Such funds shall be
expended in the ratio of $1 of Federal funds for each dollar of funds
contributed by non-Federal sources. Any funds provided by the Secretary
shall be subject to an agreement that provides for the protection of
the land's resources.
SEC. 103. STUDY OF BATTLEFIELDS.
(a) In General.--Not later than 18 months after the date on which
funds are made available to carry out 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
resource study of the property described in sections 101 and 102.
(b) Contents.--The study shall--
(1) identify the full range of resources and historic
themes associated with the Paoli Battlefield and the Brandywine
Battlefield, including their relationship to the American
Revolutionary War and the Valley Forge National Historical
Park; and
(2) identify alternatives for National Park Service
involvement at the sites and include cost estimates for any
necessary acquisition, development, interpretation, operation,
and maintenance associated with the alternatives identified.
(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section.
TITLE II--VALLEY FORGE NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK
SEC. 201. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the ``Valley Forge Museum of the
American Revolution Act of 1999''.
SEC. 202. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.
(a) Findings.--The Congress finds the following:
(1) Valley Forge National Historical Park, formerly a State
park, was established as a unit of the National Park System in
1976. The National Park Service acquired various lands and
structures associated with the park, including a visitor
center, from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
(2) Valley Forge National Historical Park maintains an
extensive collection of artifacts, books, and other documents
associated with the Continental Army's winter encampment of
1777-1778 at Valley Forge, Revolutionary War-era artifacts of
military life, important archaeological resources, and numerous
structures and associated artifacts.
(3) Between 1982 and 1997 the National Park Service
completed a general management plan, long-range interpretive
plan, and strategic business plan for Valley Forge National
Historical Park that establish goals and priorities for
management of the park.
(4) These plans identify inadequacies in the park's current
visitor center and interpretive programs. The plans call for
the development of a new or significantly renovated visitor
center that would make the collection accessible to the public
through exhibits and research facilities. Plans also call for
improving the interpretation of the landscape and improving the
circulation into and through the park.
(5) The Valley Forge Historical Society was established in
1918 as a nonprofit organization to preserve and interpret for
future generations the significant history and artifacts of the
American Revolution in their historic setting at Valley Forge.
The Valley Forge Historical Society has amassed valuable
holdings of artifacts, art, books, and other documents relating
to the 1777-1778 encampment of Washington's Continental Army at
Valley Forge, the American Revolution, and the American
colonial era. The Society continues to pursue additional
important collections through bequests, exchanges, and
acquisitions.
(6) The Society's collection is currently housed in a
facility inadequate to properly maintain, preserve, and display
their ever-growing collection. The Society is interested in
developing an up-to-date museum and education facility.
(7) The Society and the National Park Service have
discussed the idea of a joint museum and education and visitor
facility. Such a collaborative project would directly support
the historical, educational, and interpretive activities and
needs of Valley Forge National Historical Park and those of the
Valley Forge Historical Society. A joint facility would combine
2 outstanding museum collections and provide an enhanced
experience at Valley Forge for visitors, scholars, and
researchers.
(8) The Society has proposed to raise funds to construct a
new museum and education and visitor center on park property at
Valley Forge National Historical Park that would be planned,
developed, and operated jointly with Valley Forge National
Historical Park.
(b) Purpose.--The purpose of this title is to authorize the
Secretary of the Interior to enter into an agreement with the Valley
Forge Historical Society to construct and operate a museum within the
boundary of Valley Forge National Historical Park in cooperation with
the Secretary.
SEC. 203. VALLEY FORGE MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION AUTHORIZATION.
(a) Agreement Authorized.--The Secretary of the Interior, in
administering the Valley Forge National Historical Park, is authorized
to enter into an agreement under appropriate terms and conditions with
the Valley Forge Historical Society to facilitate the planning,
construction, and operation of the Valley Forge Museum of the American
Revolution on Federal land within the boundary of Valley Forge National
Historical Park.
(b) Contents of Agreement.--An agreement entered into under
subsection (a) shall--
(1) authorize the Society to operate the museum in
cooperation with the Secretary and to provide at the museum
programs and services to visitors to Valley Forge National
Historical Park, related to the story of Valley Forge and the
American Revolution;
(2) authorize the Secretary to undertake at the museum
activities related to the management of Valley Forge National
Historical Park, including, but not limited to, provision of
appropriate visitor information and interpretive facilities and
programs related to Valley Forge National Historical Park;
(3) authorize the Society, acting as a private nonprofit
organization, to engage in activities appropriate for operation
of a museum that may include, but are not limited to, charging
fees, conducting events, and selling merchandise, tickets, and
food to visitors to the museum;
(4) provide that the Society's revenues from the museum's
facilities and services shall be used to offset the expenses of
the museum's operation; and
(5) authorize the Society to occupy the structure(s) so
constructed for the term specified in the Agreement and subject
to the following terms and conditions:
(A) The conveyance by the Society to the United
States of America of all right, title, and interest in
the structure(s) to be constructed at Valley Forge
National Historical Park.
(B) The Society's right to occupy and use the
structure(s) shall be for the exhibition, preservation,
and interpretation of artifacts associated with the
Valley Forge story and the American Revolution, to
enhance the visitor experience of Valley Forge National
Historical Park, and to conduct appropriately related
activities of the Society consistent with its mission.
Such right shall not be transferred or conveyed without
the express consent of the Secretary.
(C) Any other terms and conditions as may be
determined by the Secretary.
SEC. 204. PRESERVATION AND PROTECTION.
Nothing in this Act shall authorize the Secretary or the Society to
take any actions in derogation of the preservation and protection of
the values and resources of Valley Forge National Historical Park.
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