[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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