[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 49 (Monday, April 12, 1999)]
[House]
[Pages H1813-H1814]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            GATEWAY VISITOR CENTER AUTHORIZATION ACT OF 1999

  Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 449) to authorize the Gateway Visitor Center at Independence 
National Historical Park, and for other purposes.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                                H.R. 449

       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 ``Gateway Visitor Center 
     Authorization Act of 1999''.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.

       (a) Findings.--The Congress finds the following:
       (1) The National Park Service completed and approved in 
     1997 a general management plan for Independence National 
     Historical Park that establishes goals and priorities for the 
     park's future.
       (2) The general management plan for Independence National 
     Historical Park calls for the revitalization of Independence 
     Mall and recommends as a critical component of the 
     Independence Mall's revitalization the development of a new 
     ``Gateway Visitor Center''.
       (3) Such a visitor center would replace the existing park 
     visitor center and would serve as an orientation center for 
     visitors to the park and to city and regional attractions.
       (4) Subsequent to the completion of the general management 
     plan, the National Park Service undertook and completed a 
     design project and master plan for Independence Mall which 
     includes the Gateway Visitor Center.
       (5) Plans for the Gateway Visitor Center call for it to be 
     developed and managed, in cooperation with the Secretary of 
     the Interior, by a nonprofit organization which represents 
     the various public and civic interests of the greater 
     Philadelphia metropolitan area.
       (6) The Gateway Visitor Center Corporation, a nonprofit 
     organization, has been established to raise funds for and 
     cooperate in a program to design, develop, construct, and 
     operate the proposed Gateway Visitor Center.
       (b) Purpose.--The purpose of this Act is to authorize the 
     Secretary of the Interior to enter into a cooperative 
     agreement with the Gateway Visitor Center Corporation to 
     construct and operate a regional visitor center on 
     Independence Mall.

     SEC. 3. GATEWAY VISITOR CENTER AUTHORIZATION.

       (a) Agreement.--The Secretary of the Interior, in 
     administering the Independence National Historical Park, may 
     enter into an agreement under appropriate terms and 
     conditions with the Gateway Visitor Center Corporation (a 
     nonprofit corporation established under the laws of the State 
     of Pennsylvania) to facilitate the construction and operation 
     of a regional Gateway Visitor Center on Independence Mall.
       (b) Operations of Center.--The Agreement shall authorize 
     the Corporation to operate the Center in cooperation with the 
     Secretary and to provide at the Center information, 
     interpretation, facilities, and services to visitors to 
     Independence National Historical Park, its surrounding 
     historic sites, the city of Philadelphia, and the region, in 
     order to assist in their enjoyment of the historic, cultural, 
     educational, and recreational resources of the greater 
     Philadelphia area.
       (c) Management-Related Activities.--The Agreement shall 
     authorize the Secretary to undertake at the Center activities 
     related to the management of Independence National Historical 
     Park, including, but not limited to, provision of appropriate 
     visitor information and interpretive facilities and programs 
     related to Independence National Historical Park.
       (d) Activities of Corporation.--The Agreement shall 
     authorize the Corporation, acting as a private nonprofit 
     organization, to engage in activities appropriate for 
     operation of a regional visitor center that may include, but 
     are not limited to, charging fees, conducting events, and 
     selling merchandise, tickets, and food to visitors to the 
     Center.
       (e) Use of Revenues.--Revenues from activities engaged in 
     by the Corporation shall be used for the operation and 
     administration of the Center.
       (f) Protection of Park.--Nothing in this section authorizes 
     the Secretary or the Corporation to take any actions in 
     derogation of

[[Page H1814]]

     the preservation and protection of the values and resources 
     of Independence National Historical Park.
       (g) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) Agreement.--The term ``Agreement'' means an agreement 
     under this section between the Secretary and the Corporation.
       (2) Center.--The term ``Center'' means a Gateway Visitor 
     Center constructed and operated in accordance with the 
     Agreement.
       (3) Corporation.--The term ``Corporation'' means the 
     Gateway Visitor Center Corporation (a nonprofit corporation 
     established under the laws of the State of Pennsylvania).
       (4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of the Interior.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Nevada (Mr. Gibbons) and the gentleman from Puerto Rico (Mr. Romero-
Barcelo) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Nevada (Mr. Gibbons).
  Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  (Mr. GIBBONS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 449 was introduced by the gentleman 
from Pennsylvania (Mr. Borski). Mr. Borski has worked hard on this bill 
which will greatly enhance the visitor experience at Independence 
National Historical Park.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 449 is a noncontroversial and bipartisan bill that 
would authorize the Gateway Visitor Center at Independence National 
Historic Park. This bill authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to 
enter into a cooperative agreement with the Gateway Visitor Center 
Corporation to construct and operate a regional visitor center on 
Independence Mall. The center would provide information, 
interpretation, facilities and services for visitors to Independence 
National Historical Park, its surrounding historical sites and the City 
of Philadelphia.
  Mr. Speaker, private and public funds will be used to develop the 
visitor center on National Park property, and it is my understanding 
that approximately $30 million of private funds have already been 
raised and this project is ready to move forward.
  Mr. Speaker, this is a great example of how we can incorporate 
private enterprise to improve our parks and the experience for our 
visitors. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 449.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. ROMERO-BARCELO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 449 would authorize the Secretary of the Interior 
to enter into a cooperative agreement with the nonprofit Gateway 
Visitor Center Corporation to construct and operate a regional visitor 
center on National Park Service land within Independence National 
Historical Park in Philadelphia. Hearings were held on an identical 
bill, on H.R. 4109, last Congress, and that bill was favorably reported 
by the Subcommittee on National Parks and Public Lands. Further action 
was not taken on the measure prior to adjourning.
  Unlike the situation at Gettysburg National Military Park, which is 
considered controversial by many, this proposal is supported by all 
involved parties. The proposed visitor center is consistent with the 
general management plan for the park and has the backing of the NPS, 
the City of Philadelphia and other interested parties.
  As such, we have no objection to the legislation, and we beseech our 
colleagues to vote for this legislation.
  Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong 
support of H.R. 449 and ask for all Members to support this 
legislation. I would like to commend my good friend, Mr. Borski, for 
introducing this bill and would like to thank him for his hard work to 
bring it to the floor. I would also like to thank Chairman Hansen, 
Ranking Member Romero-Barcelo, Chairman Young and Ranking Member Miller 
for all their help in bringing this bill to the floor.
  Mr. Speaker, Independence Mall is not only the cornerstone of 
Philadelphia, it is the cornerstone of democracy. On any day, you can 
walk down to Independence Mall and find hundreds of tourists and 
schoolchildren visiting the birthplace of the United States. Each year, 
more than 3 million people visit the place where we declared our 
independence and forged a nation based on individual rights.
  But the current visitor facilities at Independence Mall are not 
adequate for this many tourists. Mr. Speaker, it is important that we 
not only preserve our heritage, but that we keep it accessible to 
everyone. This bill authorizes the construction of a new Gateway 
Visitor Center, located at Independence National Historical Park, to 
provide tourists a convenient, informative and enjoyable visit to the 
park and the City of Philadelphia. Through exhibits and displays, the 
Center will not only provide an interpretive presentation on the 
significance of the Independence National Historical Park, but will 
also provide information on other historical and cultural attractions 
throughout Philadelphia.
  Mr. Speaker, this bill is not only important to Philadelphia, but to 
the entire nation as it will keep the site of our independence and the 
birthplace of democracy easily accessible to everyone. It is a needed 
addition to the Independence Mall area and will serve our country well 
in to the next century by preserving and enhancing this national 
treasure. I urge a unanimous vote on H.R. 449.
  Mr. BORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 449, a bill 
to authorize the Gateway Visitors Center at Independence National 
Historical Park in Philadelphia.
  Every year nearly 5 million visitors come to Philadelphia and 
Independence National Historical Park to visit and learn about the 
beginnings of this great country and the founding of democracy. I am 
proud to represent a portion of the Park which many consider the crown 
jewel of the National Park Service. We must do all we can to preserve 
the area which houses the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall and is the 
birthplace of the Declaration of Independence and Constitution of the 
United States.
  Independence National Historical Park is currently the subject of a 
major renovation project to preserve the park for future generations. 
Federal, state, and local leaders are working in unison to address the 
ongoing needs of the Park, ensuring its greatness as an American 
institution and historical area. The Park Service's completed General 
Management Plan documents the vision for the future of the park, and 
the Gateway Visitors Center is an integral part of this plan.
  H.R. 449 is imperative to the renovation of the Park included in the 
National Park's General Management Plan. It is extremely important to 
Philadelphia and for those who visit the historical area and experience 
its significance in the development of this nation. The present 
location of the visitors center is situated in an area with limited 
public transit access and on a narrow street. The location for the 
proposed Gateway Visitors Center will preserve history while at the 
same time improving access and creating a new entrance to the Park. The 
Gateway Visitors Center would serve as the region's principal point of 
orientation by providing a range of exceptional services and programs, 
attracting visitors to the resources offered in and beyond the park.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to join my colleagues from Pennsylvania who 
have worked so hard to see this legislation come to fruition. 
Independence National Historical Park houses two of our nations most 
prized objects, Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. This bill is 
vital to the preservation of these treasured artifacts that represent 
the ideas upon which our nation was founded, and is the key to our 
nation's history for millions of Americans.
  Mr. Romero-Barcelo. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Nevada (Mr. Gibbons) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 449.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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