[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 108 (Thursday, August 1, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7935-S7936]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. THURMOND:
  S. 2865. A bill to establish Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National 
Historical Park in the State of South Carolina, and for other purposes; 
to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
  Mr. THURMOND. Mr. President, I introduced a bill establishing the 
Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park. These sites are 
presently managed by the National Park Service as the Fort Sumter 
National Monument. The bill clarifies the boundaries of the park and 
will more accurately reflect the resources that are recognized, 
protected, and interpreted at these sites.
  Both of these forts were pivotal sites in the history of South 
Carolina and the Nation. Fort Moultrie was the centerpiece of the 
Battle of Sullivan's Island on June 28, 1776, just six days prior to 
the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The valiant defense of 
the fort by South Carolina militia units resulted in the first decisive 
victory over British forces in the Revolutionary War. The fort is named 
after the commander of those units, Colonel William Moultrie.
  Colonel Moultrie's forces constructed the first fort out of Palmetto 
trees and sand. The Palmettos were used because of the lack of proper 
building materials. Though initially thought to be inadequate for 
protection, the Palmettos repelled salvo after salvo from the British 
naval forces. Such excellent fortifications allowed Colonel Moultrie's 
militia to return fire with devastating results.
  Fort Moultrie also played a part in the events leading up to the 
Civil War. It was the site of the batteries that bombarded Fort Sumter. 
After the war, the fort was to remain an integral part of America's 
coastal defenses until World War II, when it was used to guard the port 
of Charleston against German U-boats. Indeed, it is the only site in 
the National Park System that preserves the history of the Nation's 
coastal defense system from 1776 to 1947. Although its days of conflict 
are over, the fort stands as a reminder that the cost of freedom is 
constant vigilance and stalwart resolve, even in the face of 
overwhelming odds.
  Fort Sumter is also an important part of American history. The 
bombardment of the fort on April 12, 1861 was the opening engagement of 
the Civil War. The evacuation of the fort by its commanding officer, 
Major Robert Anderson, left the fort in Confederate hands until the 
fall of Charleston in February of 1865. Fort Sumter was also an 
integral part of the Nation's coastal defense system until the end of 
World War II. Fort Sumter is a fine example of the historical 
significance of National Park Service work.
  The passage of this bill will allow for the more efficient 
administration of the two forts. The present arrangement does not 
adequately reflect the boundaries or management authority for the site. 
For example, Fort Moultrie was acquired by the Secretary of the 
Interior from the State of South Carolina in 1960, but no boundaries 
were established for the property, nor were any directives given to the 
National Park Service for administering the site. This bill will 
establish the boundaries of the site and provide long-overdue 
management authority for the National Park Service.
  Hopefully, this bill will facilitate more efficient management of the 
forts and allow many more Americans to learn from these living 
monuments to America's history. The Department of Interior supports 
this bill and has urged its enactment. I urge my colleagues to join me 
in supporting this bill.
  I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the 
Congressional Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                S. 2865

       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 ``Fort Sumter and Fort 
     Moultrie National Historical Park Act of 2002''.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

       Congress finds that--
       (1) Fort Sumter National Monument was established by the 
     Joint Resolution entitled ``Joint Resolution to establish the 
     Fort Sumter National Monument in the State of South 
     Carolina'', approved April 28, 1948 (62 Stat. 204, chapter 
     239; 16 U.S.C. 450ee), to commemorate historic events in the 
     vicinity of Fort Sumter, the site of the first engagement of 
     the Civil War on April 12, 1861;
       (2) Fort Moultrie--
       (A) was the site of the first defeat of the British in the 
     Revolutionary War on June 28, 1776; and
       (B) was acquired by the Federal Government from the State 
     of South Carolina in 1960 under the authority of the Act of 
     August 21, 1935 (49 Stat. 666, chapter 593);
       (3) since 1960, Fort Moultrie has been administered by the 
     National Park Service as part of the Fort Sumter National 
     Monument without a clear management mandate or established 
     boundary;
       (4) Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie played important roles in 
     the protection of Charleston Harbor and in the coastal 
     defense system of the United States;
       (5) Fort Moultrie is the only site in the National Park 
     System that preserves the history of the United States 
     coastal defense

[[Page S7936]]

     system during the period from 1776 through 1947; and
       (6) Sullivan's Island Life Saving Station, located adjacent 
     to the Charleston Light--
       (A) was constructed in 1896; and
       (B) is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

     SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

       In this Act:
       (1) Charleston light.--The term ``Charleston Light'' means 
     the Charleston Light and any associated land and improvements 
     to the land that are located between Sullivan's Island Life 
     Saving Station and the mean low water mark.
       (2) Map.--The term ``map'' means the map entitled 
     ``Boundary Map, Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National 
     Historical Park'', numbered 392/80088, and dated November 30, 
     2000.
       (3) Park.--The term ``Park'' means the Fort Sumter and Fort 
     Moultrie National Historical Park established by section 
     4(a).
       (4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of the Interior.
       (5) State.--The term ``State'' means the State of South 
     Carolina.

     SEC. 4. FORT SUMTER AND FORT MOULTRIE NATIONAL HISTORICAL 
                   PARK.

       (a) Establishment.--There is established the Fort Sumter 
     and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park in the State as a 
     unit of the National Park System to preserve, maintain, and 
     interpret the nationally significant historical values and 
     cultural resources associated with Fort Sumter and Fort 
     Moultrie.
       (b) Boundary.--
       (1) In general.--The boundary of the Park shall be 
     comprised of the land, water, and submerged land depicted on 
     the map.
       (2) Availability of map.--The map shall be on file and 
     available for public inspection in the appropriate offices of 
     the National Park Service.
       (c) Acquisitions.--
       (1) Land.--
       (A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), the Secretary 
     may acquire any land or interest in land (including 
     improvements) located within the boundaries of the Park by--
       (i) donation;
       (ii) purchase with appropriated or donated funds;
       (iii) exchange; or
       (iv) transfer from another Federal agency.
       (B) Limitation.--Any land or interest in land (including 
     improvements) located within the boundaries of the Park that 
     is owned by the State (including political subdivisions of 
     the State) shall be acquired by donation only.
       (2) Personal property.--The Secretary may acquire by 
     donation, purchase with appropriated or donated funds, 
     exchange, or transfer from another Federal agency, personal 
     property associated with, and appropriate for, interpretation 
     of the Park.
       (d) Administration.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary, acting through the Director 
     of the National Park Service, shall administer the Park in 
     accordance with this Act and the laws generally applicable to 
     units of the National Park System, including--
       (A) the Act of August 25, 1916 (16 U.S.C. 1 et seq.); and
       (B) the Act of August 21, 1935 (16 U.S.C. 461 et seq.).
       (2) Interpretation of historical events.--The Secretary 
     shall provide for the interpretation of historical events and 
     activities that occurred in the vicinity of Fort Sumter and 
     Fort Moultrie, including--
       (A) the Battle of Sullivan's Island on June 28, 1776;
       (B)(i) the bombardment of Fort Sumter by Confederate forces 
     on April 12, 1861; and
       (ii) any other events of the Civil War that are associated 
     with Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie;
       (C) the development of the coastal defense system of the 
     United States during the period from the Revolutionary War to 
     World War II; and
       (D) the lives of--
       (i) the free and enslaved workers who built and maintained 
     Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie;
       (ii) the soldiers who defended the forts;
       (iii) the prisoners held at the forts; and
       (iv) captive Africans bound for slavery who, after first 
     landing in the United States, were brought to quarantine 
     houses in the vicinity of Fort Moultrie in the 18th Century, 
     if the Secretary determines that the quarantine houses and 
     associated historical values are nationally significant.
       (e) Cooperative Agreements.--The Secretary may enter into 
     cooperative agreements with public and private entities and 
     individuals to carry out this Act.

     SEC. 5. CHARLESTON LIGHT.

       (a) In General.--Subject to subsection (b), the Secretary 
     of Transportation shall transfer to the Secretary, for no 
     consideration, administrative jurisdiction over, and 
     management of the Charleston Light for inclusion in the Park.
       (b) Condition.--Before transferring the Charleston Light 
     under subsection (a) the Secretary of Transportation shall 
     repair, paint, remove hazardous substances from, and improve 
     the condition of the Charleston Light in any other manner 
     that the Secretary may require.
       (c) Improvements.--The Secretary shall make improvements to 
     the Charleston Light only to the extent necessary to--
       (1) provide utility service; and
       (2) maintain the existing structures and historic 
     landscape.

     SEC. 6. REPEAL OF EXISTING LAW.

       Section 2 of the Joint Resolution entitled ``Joint 
     Resolution to establish the Fort Sumter National Monument in 
     the State of South Carolina'', approved April 28, 1948 (62 
     Stat. 204, chapter 239; 16 U.S.C. 450ee-1), is repealed.

     SEC. 7. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are 
     necessary to carry out this Act.
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