[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2237 Introduced in House (IH)]






108th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 2237

To establish within the National Park Service the 225th Anniversary of 
 the American Revolution Commemorative program, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              May 22, 2003

Mr. Hinchey (for himself, Mr. Neal of Massachusetts, Mr. Boehlert, Mr. 
 McNulty, and Mrs. Jo Ann Davis of Virginia) introduced the following 
         bill; which was referred to the Committee on Resources

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
To establish within the National Park Service the 225th Anniversary of 
 the American Revolution Commemorative program, 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 ``225th Anniversary of the American 
Revolution Commemoration Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.

    (a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
            (1) The American Revolution, inspired by the spirit of 
        liberty and independence among the inhabitants of the original 
        13 colonies of Great Britain, was an event of global 
        significance having a profound and lasting effect upon American 
        Government, laws, culture, society, and values.
            (2) The years 2000 through 2008 mark the 225th anniversary 
        of the Revolutionary War.
            (3) Every generation of American citizens should have an 
        opportunity to understand and appreciate the continuing legacy 
        of the American Revolution.
            (4) This 225th anniversary provides an opportunity to 
        enhance public awareness and understanding of the impact of the 
        American Revolution's legacy on the lives of citizens today.
            (5) Although the National Park Service administers 
        battlefields, historical parks, historic sites, and programs 
        that address elements of the story of the American Revolution, 
        there is a need to establish partnerships that link sites and 
        programs administered by the National Park Service with those 
        of other Federal and non-Federal entities in order to place the 
        story of the American Revolution in the broad context of its 
        causes, consequences, and meanings.
            (6) The story and significance of the American Revolution 
        can best engage the American people through a national program 
        of the National Park Service that links historic structures and 
        sites, routes, activities, community projects, exhibits, and 
        multimedia materials, in a manner that is both unified and 
        flexible.
    (b) Purposes.--The purposes of this Act are as follows:
            (1) To recognize the enduring importance of the American 
        Revolution in the lives of American citizens today.
            (2) To authorize the National Park Service to coordinate, 
        connect, and facilitate Federal and non-Federal activities to 
        commemorate, honor, and interpret the history of the American 
        Revolution, its significance, and its relevance to the shape 
        and spirit of American Government and society.

SEC. 3. 225TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION COMMEMORATION 
              PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of the Interior (hereinafter in this 
Act referred to as the ``Secretary'') shall establish a program to be 
known as the ``225th Anniversary of the American Revolution 
Commemoration'' (hereinafter in this Act referred to as the ``225th 
Anniversary''). In administering the 225th Anniversary, the Secretary 
shall--
            (1) produce and disseminate to appropriate persons 
        educational materials, such as handbooks, maps, interpretive 
        guides, or electronic information related to the 225th 
        Anniversary and the American Revolution;
            (2) enter into appropriate cooperative agreements and 
        memoranda of understanding to provide technical assistance 
        under subsection (c);
            (3) assist in the protection of resources associated with 
        the American Revolution;
            (4) enhance communications, connections, and collaboration 
        among the National Park Service units and programs related to 
        the Revolutionary War;
            (5) expand the research base for American Revolution 
        interpretation and education; and
            (6) create and adopt an official, uniform symbol or device 
        for the theme ``Lighting Freedom's Flame: American Revolution, 
        225th Anniversary'' and issue regulations for its use.
    (b) Elements.--The 225th Anniversary shall encompass the following 
elements:
            (1) All units and programs of the National Park Service 
        determined by the Secretary to pertain to the American 
        Revolution.
            (2) Other governmental and nongovernmental sites, 
        facilities, and programs of an educational, research, or 
        interpretive nature that are documented to be directly related 
        to the American Revolution.
            (3) Through the Secretary of State, the participation of 
        the Governments of the United Kingdom, France, the Netherlands, 
        Spain, and Canada.
    (c) Cooperative Agreements and Memoranda of Understanding.--To 
achieve the purposes of this Act and to ensure effective coordination 
of the Federal and non-Federal elements of the 225th Anniversary with 
National Park Service units and programs, the Secretary may enter into 
cooperative agreements and memoranda of understanding with, and provide 
technical assistance to, the following:
            (1) The heads of other Federal agencies, States, units of 
        local government, and private entities.
            (2) In cooperation with the Secretary of State, the 
        Governments of the United Kingdom, France, the Netherlands, 
        Spain, and Canada.
    (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this Act $500,000 for each 
of fiscal years 2004 through 2009.
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