[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 156 (Saturday, November 8, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2237-E2238]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       NATIONAL LIGHTHOUSE MUSEUM

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DALE E. KILDEE

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, November 7, 1997

  Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, in an effort to broaden the public's 
appreciation and understanding of America's lighthouse heritage, I have 
introduced legislation to establish a national lighthouse museum.
  Currently, there is no single site in our country where one can go to 
learn the complete history of American lighthouse development, to learn 
about the different types of lighthouses, the how and why they were 
built, who operated them, and their successes and failures. A national 
lighthouse museum would provide such a learning opportunity.
  Mr. Speaker, my legislation would establish a national lighthouse 
museum commission to develop a fundraising plan, secure a site, draft 
an operational proposal and establish a national lighthouse museum 
corporation. The commission would be comprised of 19 members who 
represent both public and private interests. The national lighthouse 
museum corporation would be run as a tax exempt, non-profit 501 C(3) 
organization.

[[Page E2238]]

  The national lighthouse museum will hold a collection of artifacts 
known as the national lighthouse collection. It will also provide 
support to other museums that interpret the history of aids to 
navigation in the United States.
  Although the national lighthouse museum commission would choose the 
site, Mr. Speaker, I would like to point out that Michigan has more 
lighthouses than any other State in the Union.

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