[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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