[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 1442 Introduced in House (IH)]
108th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 1442
To authorize the design and construction of a visitor center for the
Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
March 26, 2003
Mr. Pombo (for himself, Mr. Rahall, Mr. Gibbons, and Mr. Murtha)
introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on
Resources
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To authorize the design and construction of a visitor center for the
Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
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 ``Vietnam Veterans Memorial Visitor
Center Act''.
SEC. 2. VIETNAM VETERANS MEMORIAL VISITOR CENTER.
Public Law 96-297 (16 U.S.C. 431 note) is amended by adding at the
end the following:
``SEC. 6. VISITOR CENTER.
``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Center.--The term `Center' means the visitor center
for the Memorial authorized by subsection (b).
``(2) Memorial.--The term `Memorial' has the meaning given
the term `Vietnam Veterans Memorial' in section 5(f).
``(3) Memorial fund.--The term `Memorial Fund' means the
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, Inc.
``(4) Secretary.--The term `Secretary' means the Secretary
of the Interior.
``(b) Authorization of Center.--The Memorial Fund may design and
construct a visitor center for the Memorial to provide information to
the public on the Memorial.
``(c) Requirements.--The Center--
``(1) shall be located--
``(A) above ground or underground, as determined in
accordance with chapter 89 of title 40, United States
Code; and
``(B) on or adjacent to the Memorial;
``(2) shall be the minimum size necessary to--
``(A) carry out appropriate educational and
interpretive activities relating to the Memorial;
``(B) prevent interference with or encroachment on
the Memorial; and
``(C) protect open space and visual sightlines on
the National Mall; and
``(3) shall be constructed and landscaped in a manner that
is consistent with the Memorial and the National Mall.
``(d) Design.--The Commission on Fine Arts shall approve a final
design for the Center not later than 1 year after the date of the
enactment of this section.
``(e) Operation and Maintenance.--
``(1) In general.--Subject to an agreement entered into
under paragraph (2), the Center shall be operated and
maintained by the Secretary.
``(2) Agreement.--The Secretary shall offer to enter into
an agreement with the Memorial Fund for the operation and
maintenance of the Center that provides the following:
``(A) The Memorial Fund shall lease the Center from
the Secretary for a term of 20 years. The lease may be
renewed thereafter for periods of 20 years.
``(B) During the term of a lease under subparagraph
(A), the Memorial Fund--
``(i) shall be responsible for maintaining
exhibits at the Center; and
``(ii) shall share other maintenance
responsibilities for the Center with the
Secretary.
``(C) The Secretary shall submit to the Committee
on Resources of the House of Representatives and the
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the
Senate--
``(i) a copy of any lease entered into or
renewed under subparagraph (A); and
``(ii) not less than once every 7 years, an
assessment by the Secretary on the need for and
use of the Center.
``(3) Donation for perpetual maintenance and
preservation.--Notwithstanding paragraph (1), section 8906(b)
of title 40, United States Code, shall apply to the Memorial
Fund.
``(f) Applicable Law.--
``(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2),
chapter 89 of title 40, United States Code, shall apply to the
Center.
``(2) Exception.--Section 8908(b)(1) of title 40, United
States Code, shall not apply to the Center.
``(g) Use of Federal Funds Prohibited.--No Federal funds shall be
used for the planning, design, construction, operation, or maintenance
of the Center.''.
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