[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 155 (Friday, November 7, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S12069-S12070]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HAFFENREFFER MUSEUM RESTORATION ACT
Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I send a bill to the desk on behalf of
Senators Chafee and Reed, re: the relocation of the Haffenreffer
Museum, and ask the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report.
The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:
A bill (S. 1455) to provide financial assistance for the
relocation and expansion of Haffenreffer Museum of
Anthropology, Providence, Rhode Island.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection to the immediate
consideration of the bill?
There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill.
Mr. CHAFEE. Mr. President, I am pleased to introduce legislation to
assist in the relocation and expansion of the Haffenreffer Museum of
Anthropology at Brown University in Providence, RI.
In 1955, the family of Rudolf F. Haffenreffer bequeathed to Brown
University the museum he had founded in Bristol, RI. The museum
includes more than 100,000 objects from native peoples of the Americas,
Africa, Asia, and the Pacific.
This is a teaching museum owned and supported by Brown University. It
has a number of world-class holdings that attract scholars from all
over the globe, and has been described by the American Association of
Museums as a ``superb medium- to small-sized facility with outstanding
collections, excellent exhibits, and a superb program of public
education and outreach.''
While maintaining objects from around the world, the Haffenreffer
Museum exhibits extensive archaeological materials from New England
that are used to interpret prehistoric and historical cultural
developments in Rhode Island and surrounding States. The legislation I
introduce today authorizes $3 million to preserve these culturally
important collections and to provide expanded exhibition space that
will make them more accessible to schoolchildren, scholars, students,
and other visitors.
In 1995, Brown University acquired from the Resolution Trust
Corporation [RTC] the historic Old Stone Bank Building, built in 1854,
along with the early 19th century Federal-style residence known as the
Benoni-Cook House, both located in downtown Providence. The RTC took
over both properties when the Old Stone Bank failed in 1993.
Prior to Brown's purchase of these sites, it was unclear how or
whether they would be put to use. The funds authorized by this bill
will contribute a modest portion of the estimated $15 million Brown
University will spend to relocate the Haffenreffer Museum from Bristol,
RI, to the bank building and the Benoni-Cook House, both of which are
located on the National Register of Historic Places.
Mr. President, this in indeed a win-win project being carried out by
Brown University. We will renovate, preserve,
[[Page S12070]]
and make fine use of two historic architectural landmarks--while
providing greater access to an extraordinary tool for cultural and
historical education. This is a fine example of the type of assistance
our Federal Government can provide to local communities to preserve and
make available for future generations the significant developments of
our past.
Mr. President, I encourage the support of our Senate colleagues.
Mr. REED. Mr. President, I am pleased to support the ``Haffenreffer
Museum Restoration Act of 1997'', legislation that Senator Chafee and I
introduced to assist in the relocation and expansion of Rhode Island's
Haffenreffer Museum of Anthropology.
Currently situated in Bristol, R.I., the Haffenreffer Museum is home
to one of our Nation's finest collections of Native American and other
cultural artifacts from around the world. Each year, thousands of
visitors enjoy the Haffenreffer's exhibits and benefit from its
commitment to education, which is a tribute to the museum's close ties
to the Brown University Department of Anthropology. Recognizing this
effective combination, the American Association of Museums has
described the Haffenreffer as a ``superb medium-small facility with
outstanding collections, excellent exhibits, and a superb program of
public education and outreach.''
In an effort to increase access to the Haffenreffer's resources,
Brown University has begun preparations to relocate the museum to
Providence, R.I. Toward this end, the university has acquired two
structures on the National Register of Historic Places, the Old Stone
Bank Building and the Benoni-Cooke House, to house the Haffenreffer in
downtown Providence.
This move would preserve these historically significant buildings,
while contributing to the resurgence of Providence by adding a
nationally renowned museum to its growing arts and entertainment
district. The new site would also allow the Haffenreffer to display
more of its collection for visitors, whom the museum estimates would
increase fivefold after the relocation. This development would
particularly serve children, who currently make up more than half of
the museum's visitors and for whom the downtown location would be more
accessible.
Brown University is raising funds to restore and expand the Old Stone
Bank Building and the Benoni-Cooke House, and to complete the
relocation of the Haffenreffer's collection to Providence by the year
2000. The bill before the Senate today authorizes Federal cooperation
in advancing these goals, increasing knowledge of Native American
history, preserving architectural treasures, and promoting the
revitalization of our Nation's downtown areas. I urge my colleagues to
support this bill and the work needed to bring the Haffenreffer to
Rhode Island's capital city.
Mr. WARNER. I ask the bill be advanced to third reading and passed
and the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, all without
further action or debate. I further ask the statements by Senators
Chafee and Reed be printed in the Record.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
The bill (S. 1455) was read the third time and passed, as follows:
S. 1455
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 ``Haffenreffer Museum
Restoration Act of 1997''.
SEC. 2. RELOCATION AND EXPANSION OF HAFFENREFFER MUSEUM OF
ANTHROPOLOGY.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Museum.--The term ``Museum'' means the Haffenreffer
Museum of Anthropology at Brown University in Providence,
Rhode Island.
(2) Secretary.--The term ``Director'' means the Director of
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
(b) Relocation and Expansion of Museum.--The Director shall
make a grant to Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island,
to pay the Federal share of the costs associated with the
relocation and expansion of the Museum, including the design,
construction, renovation, restoration, furnishing, and
equipping of the Museum.
(c) Grant Requirements.--
(1) In general.--To receive a grant under subsection (b),
the Museum shall submit to the Director a proposal for the
use of the grant.
(2) Federal share.--The Federal share of the costs
described in subsection (b) shall be 20 percent.
(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized
to be appropriated to carry out this section $3,000,000, to
remain available until expended.
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