II 111th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 216 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES January 13, 2009 Mr. Hatch introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources A BILL To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resource study to determine the suitability and feasibility of designating Estate Grange and other sites related to Alexander Hamilton’s life on the island of St. Croix in the United States Virgin Islands as a unit of the National Park System, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Alexander Hamilton Boyhood Home Study Act of 2009.

2.

Findings

Congress finds that— (1)Alexander Hamilton, a native of the former British colonies in the Caribbean, moved with his family to St. Croix in 1765; (2)Alexander Hamilton, who resided on St. Croix during his formative years and until he left for New York in 1772, was first exposed to commerce and business in the United States Virgin Islands while clerking for the Christiansted branch of Beekman and Cruger, a New York-based merchant house; (3)St. Croix is where Alexander Hamilton, the future author of the Federalist Papers learned to write for the public, from his teenage contributions to the Royal Danish American Gazette; (4)Alexander Hamilton’s mother, Rachel Fawcett Levine, died in 1768 and was buried at Estate Grange; and (5)the M. K. Armstrong Trust currently owns and administers the 115-acre estate.

3.

Study

(a)

In general

The Secretary of the Interior (referred to in this Act as the Secretary), in consultation with the Governor of the Virgin Islands, shall conduct a special resource study of Estate Grange and other sites and resources associated with Alexander Hamilton’s life on St. Croix in the United States Virgin Islands. (b)

Contents

In conducting the study under subsection (a), the Secretary shall evaluate— (1)the national significance of the sites and resources; and (2)the suitability and feasibility of designating the sites and resources as a unit of the National Park System. (c)

Criteria

The criteria for the study of areas for potential inclusion in the National Park System contained in section 8 of Public Law 91–383 (16 U.S.C. 1a–5) shall apply to the study under subsection (a). (d)

Report

Not later than 3 years after the date on which funds are first made available for the study under subsection (a), the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate a report containing— (1)the results of the study; and (2)any findings, conclusions, and recommendations of the Secretary.

4.

Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this Act.