[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 99 (Wednesday, July 14, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S8509]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. MURKOWSKI (by request):
  S. 1365. A bill to amend the National Preservation Act of 1966 to 
extend the authorization for the Historic Preservation Fund and the 
Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, and for other purposes; to 
the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.


   authorization for the historic preservation fund and the advisory 
                    council on historic preservation

  Mr. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, at the request of the administration, I 
rise today to introduce legislation to extend the authorization for the 
Historic Preservation Fund, and for other purposes.
  I ask unanimous consent that the bill, a summary of the legislation, 
and the administration's letter of transmittal be printed in the Record 
for the information of my colleagues.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

                                S. 1365

       Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of 
     Representatives of the United States in Congress assembled,
       That the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (P.L. 
     89-665; 80 Stat. 915; 16 U.S.C. 470) is amended--
       (1) in section 108 (16 U.S.C. 470h), by striking ``1997'' 
     and inserting ``2005''; and
       (2) in section 212(a) (16 U.S.C. 470t(a)), by striking 
     ``2000'' in the last sentence and inserting ``2005''.
                                  ____


                                Summary

       This legislation amends the Historic Preservation Act of 
     1966 to extend the authorization of $150,000,000 per year for 
     the Historic Preservation Fund through fiscal year 2005 and 
     the authorization of $4,000,000 per year for the Advisory 
     Council on Historic Preservation. The fund is currently 
     authorized through fiscal year 1996, and the Council through 
     fiscal year 2000.
                                  ____

                                  U.S. Department of the Interior,


                                      Office of the Secretary,

                                    Washington, DC, April 9, 1999.
     Hon. Albert Gore, Jr.,
     President of the Senate, Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. President: Enclosed is a draft of a bill ``to 
     extend the authorization for the Historic Preservation Fund, 
     and for other purposes. Also enclosed is a section-by-section 
     analysis of the bill. We recommend that the bill be 
     introduced, referred to the appropriate committee for 
     consideration, and enacted.
       The enclosed bill would amend the Historic Preservation Act 
     of 1966 to extend the authorization of $150,000,000 for the 
     Historic Preservation Fund through the year 2005. The fund is 
     currently authorized at $150,000,000 per year through 1997. 
     In addition, the enclosed bill would amend the 1966 Act to 
     extend the current authorization of $4,000,000 for the 
     Advisory Council on Historic Preservation through 2005. The 
     Counsel's authorization expires at the end of fiscal year 
     2000.
       The Historic Preservation Act of 1966 provides for the 
     protection of significant historic properties across the 
     country. It encourages and supports America's effort to 
     preserve the tangible evidence of our past for the benefit 
     and enjoyment of future generations. As part of the National 
     Historic Preservation Act, Congress established the Historic 
     Preservation Fund to carry out the provisions of the bill.
       The purpose of this measure is to continue this successful 
     program of protecting historic structures and sites. For over 
     30 years, since the passage of the National Historic 
     Preservation Act, private citizens, industry, Federal, state, 
     local and tribal governments have worked together to create a 
     cost-effective, successful program. These unique partnerships 
     have resulted in the preservation of historic places, which 
     are the tangible embodiment of American history.
       The Office of Management and Budget has advised that there 
     is no objection to the enactment of the enclosed draft 
     legislation from the standpoint of the Administration's 
     program.
           Sincerely,

                                          Stephen C. Saunders,

                                    Acting Assistant Secretary for
                                      Fish and Wildlife and Parks.
                                 ______