[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 112 (Monday, August 31, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S9689]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. CAMPBELL:
  S. 2427. A bill to amend the Omnibus Parks and Public Lands 
Management Act of 1996 to extend the legislative authority for the 
Black Patriots Foundation to establish a commemorative work; to the 
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.


               BLACK REVOLUTIONARY WAR PATRIOTS MEMORIAL

  Mr. CAMPBELL. Mr. President, today I introduce legislation that seeks 
to extend the legislative authority for the construction of the Black 
Revolutionary War Patriots Memorial and for the Foundation raising 
funds to construct the memorial.
  Mr. President, in 1986, the Congress enacted and President Reagan 
signed into law, legislation establishing a Black Revolutionary War 
Patriots Memorial, a memorial to honor the more than 5,000 African-
Americans who fought for this country during the Revolutionary War. In 
order to appropriately recognize the bravery and sacrifice of these 
honorable and distinguished patriots, Public Law 99-558 sought to 
establish a suitable memorial, a monument which will be located on the 
Mall here in Washington, DC. When complete, the memorial will be the 
first monument on the Mall to be dedicated solely to the 
accomplishments of African-Americans.
  The centerpiece of P.L. 99-558 was the establishment of the Black 
Revolutionary War Patriots Foundation, as a not-for-profit organization 
whose sole charter is to raise the necessary funding for the costs 
associated with constructing the memorial.
  When enacted, the foundation was authorized to operate for a period 
of 10 years. In 1996, I introduced legislation which provided an 
additional 2-year extension of the legislative authority for the 
establishment of the memorial. While the foundation has raised a 
substantial amount of funding, it remains short of its $9.5 million 
goal. The bill I introduce today would allow for a second and final 
extension which will provide the foundation with valuable time to 
complete its fundraising.
  Mr. President, this memorial serves a noble purpose, honoring the 
service and patriotism of individuals long deserving of this praise and 
I strongly support the ongoing efforts for its establishment. Likewise, 
I am proud that the sculptor who has been commissioned to design this 
memorial, Ed Dwight, is not only from my home state of Colorado, but is 
also the first African-American astronaut trainee. Mr. Dwight is an 
accomplished artist residing in Denver and his work is known across the 
world. I would very much like to see his design for the Black 
Revolutionary War Patriots Memorial become one of the memorials 
situated among many of this country's most distinguished monuments.
  Mr. President, I believe Congress has demonstrated its commitment to 
the establishment of the Black Revolutionary War Patriots Memorial by 
authorizing its construction 10 years ago. It is my hope this 
legislation will receive the full, expeditious support of the Senate.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be 
printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                S. 2427

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. BLACK REVOLUTIONARY WAR PATRIOTS MEMORIAL.

       Section 506 of the Omnibus Parks and Public Lands 
     Management Act of 1996 (40 U.S.C. 1003 note; 110 Stat. 4155) 
     is amended by striking ``1998'' and inserting ``2000''.
                                 ______