[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 140 (Friday, October 15, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Pages S12727-S12728]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            PENNSYLVANIA BATTLEFIELDS PROTECTION ACT OF 1999

  On October 14, 1999, the Senate amended and passed H.R. 659, as 
follows:

       Resolved, That the bill from the House of Representatives 
     (H.R. 659) entitled ``An Act to authorize appropriations for 
     the protection of Paoli and Brandywine Battlefields in 
     Pennsylvania, to direct the National Park Service to conduct 
     a special resource study of Paoli and Brandywine 
     Battlefields, to authorize the Valley Forge Museum of the 
     American Revolution at Valley Forge National Historical Park, 
     and for other purposes.'', do pass with the following 
     amendments:
       Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert:

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Pennsylvania Battlefields 
     Protection Act of 1999''.

               TITLE I--PAOLI AND BRANDYWINE BATTLEFIELDS

     SEC. 101. PAOLI BATTLEFIELD PROTECTION.

       (a) Paoli Battlefield.--The Secretary of the Interior 
     (hereinafter referred to as the ``Secretary'') is authorized 
     to provide funds to the borough of Malvern, Pennsylvania, for 
     the acquisition of the area known as the ``Paoli 
     Battlefield'', located in the borough of Malvern, 
     Pennsylvania, as generally depicted on the map entitled 
     ``Paoli Battlefield'' numbered 80,000 and dated April 1999 
     (referred to in this title as the ``Paoli Battlefield''). The 
     map shall be on file and available for public inspection in 
     the appropriate offices of the National Park Service.
       (b) Cooperative Agreement and Technical Assistance.--The 
     Secretary shall enter into a cooperative agreement with the 
     borough of Malvern, Pennsylvania, for the management by the 
     borough of the Paoli Battlefield. The Secretary may provide 
     technical assistance to the borough of Malvern to assure the 
     preservation and interpretation of the Paoli Battlefield's 
     resources.
       (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized 
     to be appropriated $1,250,000 to carry out this section. Such 
     funds shall be expended in the ratio of one dollar of Federal 
     funds for each dollar of funds contributed by non-Federal 
     sources. Any funds provided by the Secretary shall be subject 
     to an agreement that provides for the protection of the Paoli 
     Battlefield's resources.

     SEC. 102. BRANDYWINE BATTLEFIELD PROTECTION.

       (a) Brandywine Battlefield.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary is authorized to provide 
     funds to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, a political 
     subdivision of the Commonwealth, or the Brandywine 
     Conservancy, for the acquisition, protection, and 
     preservation of land in an area generally known as the 
     Meetinghouse Road Corridor, located in Chester County, 
     Pennsylvania, as depicted on a map entitled ``Brandywine 
     Battlefield--Meetinghouse Road Corridor'', numbered 80,000 
     and dated April 1999 (referred to in this title as the 
     ``Brandywine Battlefield''). The map shall be on file and 
     available for public inspection in the appropriate offices of 
     the National Park Service.
       (2) Willing sellers or donors.--Lands and interests in land 
     may be acquired pursuant to this section only with the 
     consent of the owner thereof.
       (b) Cooperative Agreement and Technical Assistance.--The 
     Secretary shall enter into a cooperative agreement with the 
     same entity that is provided funds under subsection (a) for 
     the management by the entity of the Brandywine Battlefield. 
     The Secretary may also provide technical assistance to the 
     entity to assure the preservation and interpretation of the 
     Brandywine Battlefield's resources.
       (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized 
     to be appropriated $3,000,000 to carry out this section. Such 
     funds shall be expended in the ratio of one dollar of Federal 
     funds for each dollar of funds contributed by non-Federal 
     sources. Any funds provided by the Secretary shall be subject 
     to an agreement that provides for the protection of the 
     battlefield's resources.

            TITLE II--VALLEY FORGE NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK

     SEC. 201. PURPOSE.

       The purpose of this title is to authorize the Secretary of 
     the Interior to enter into an agreement with the Valley Forge 
     Historical Society (hereinafter referred to as the 
     ``Society''), to construct and operate a museum within the 
     boundary of Valley Forge National Historical Park in 
     cooperation with the Secretary.

     SEC. 202. VALLEY FORGE MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 
                   AUTHORIZATION.

       (a) Agreement Authorized.--The Secretary of the Interior, 
     in administering the Valley

[[Page S12728]]

     Forge National Historical Park, is authorized to enter into 
     an agreement under appropriate terms and conditions with the 
     Society to facilitate the planning, construction, and 
     operation of the Valley Forge Museum of the American 
     Revolution on Federal land within the boundary of Valley 
     Forge National Historical Park.
       (b) Contents and Implementation of Agreement.--An agreement 
     entered into under subsection (a) shall--
       (1) authorize the Society to develop and operate the museum 
     pursuant to plans developed by the Secretary and to provide 
     at the museum appropriate and necessary programs and services 
     to visitors to Valley Forge National Historical Park related 
     to the story of Valley Forge and the American Revolution;
       (2) only be carried out in a manner consistent with the 
     General Management Plan and other plans for the preservation 
     and interpretation of the resources and values of Valley 
     Forge National Historical Park;
       (3) authorize the Secretary to undertake at the museum 
     activities related to the management of Valley Forge National 
     Historical Park, including, but not limited to, provision of 
     appropriate visitor information and interpretive facilities 
     and programs related to Valley Forge National Historical 
     Park;
       (4) authorize the Society, acting as a private nonprofit 
     organization, to engage in activities appropriate for 
     operation of the museum that may include, but are not limited 
     to, charging appropriate fees, conducting events, and selling 
     merchandise, tickets, and food to visitors to the museum;
       (5) provide that the Society's revenues from the museum's 
     facilities and services shall be used to offset the expenses 
     of the museum's operation; and
       (6) authorize the Society to occupy the museum so 
     constructed for the term specified in the Agreement and 
     subject to the following terms and conditions:
       (A) The conveyance by the Society to the United States of 
     all right, title, and interest in the museum to be 
     constructed at Valley Forge National Historical Park.
       (B) The Society's right to occupy and use the museum shall 
     be for the exhibition, preservation, and interpretation of 
     artifacts associated with the Valley Forge story and the 
     American Revolution, to enhance the visitor experience of 
     Valley Forge National Historical Park, and to conduct 
     appropriately related activities of the society consistent 
     with its mission and with the purposes for which the Valley 
     Forge National Historical Park was established. Such right 
     shall not be transferred or conveyed without the express 
     consent of the Secretary.
       (C) Any other terms and conditions the Secretary determines 
     to be necessary.

     SEC. 203. PRESERVATION AND PROTECTION.

       Nothing in this title authorizes the Secretary or the 
     Society to take any actions in derogation of the preservation 
     and protection of the values and resources of Valley Forge 
     National Historical Park. An agreement entered into under 
     section 202 shall be construed and implemented in light of 
     the high public value and integrity of the Valley Forge 
     National Historical Park and the National Park System.
       Amend the title so as to read: ``An Act to authorize 
     appropriations for the protection of Paoli and Brandywine 
     Battlefields in Pennsylvania, to authorize the Valley Forge 
     Museum of the American Revolution at Valley Forge National 
     Historical Park, and for other purposes.''.

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