[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 119 (Monday, August 3, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Pages S8687-S8688]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. SPECTER (for himself and Mr. Casey):
  S. 1568. A bill to assist in the establishment of an interpretive 
center and museum in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, to protect and interpret 
the history of the industrialization of the United States; to the 
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
  Mr. SPECTER. Mr. President, I have sought recognition to introduce 
legislation that will honor and preserve the industrial legacy of our 
Nation for the benefit of current and future generations. The bill, 
which I am introducing along with my Pennsylvania colleague Senator Bob 
Casey, would establish a partnership between the Department of Interior 
and the National Museum of Industrial History: a museum and 
interpretive center to be located at the site of the former Bethlehem 
Steel Plant in Bethlehem, PA.
  The industrial revolution was a critical period in American history, 
during which our country and the foundation of our national economy 
experienced an unprecedented transition. It is important that people, 
especially children and future generations, have an opportunity to 
learn about the history of American industrialization and how it shaped 
our world and our lives. For this opportunity to be realized, the 
timeless stories and treasured relics of our industrial history must be 
preserved, interpreted and made available for all to see, study and 
enjoy. The National Museum of Industrial History will exist for just 
this purpose.
  The Museum will be located at an ideal site to tell the story of 
America's industrial history because the former tenant of the site was 
a lead character in the story. The Bethlehem Steel Company was a world-
leader in steel production for nearly 150 years and truly epitomized 
the industrial revolution and expansion throughout the 19th and 20th 
centuries. Steel produced in Bethlehem was used to build some our 
country's most treasured structures and landmarks, including the 
Chrysler Building in New York City and the Golden Gate Bridge in San 
Francisco. Bethlehem Steel was a major contributor to the war effort 
during the first and second World Wars, building many ships and 
supplying much of the armored plating and large-caliber guns for our 
armed forces. Bethlehem Steel began to cease much of its operation in 
the 1990s and was bought by another

[[Page S8688]]

steel company in 2001. The closing of Bethlehem Steel marked the end of 
an era and also created one of the largest brownfield sites in the 
country. It is on this site, rich in history and industrial heritage, 
where the National Museum of Industrial History will stand as a 
monument to industry and as an educational resource to the public.
  The legislation I have introduced will establish an agreement between 
the Department of Interior and the National Museum of Industrial 
History, wherein the Department will assist in the creation and program 
development of the Museum. Every dollar provided by the Federal 
Government would have to be matched by a non-Federal source. The Museum 
has a long history of working with the Federal Government. The National 
Museum of Industrial History was the first museum to become affiliated 
with the Smithsonian Institute. This partnership spawned the 
Smithsonian Institute's ``Affiliates Program,'' which now has over 150 
members around the country.
  I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.
                                 ______