[Senate Report 105-307]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]



                                                       Calendar No. 546
105th Congress                                                   Report
                                 SENATE

 2d Session                                                     105-307
_______________________________________________________________________


 
         LITTLE ROCK CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE

                                _______
                                

 September 8 (legislative day, August 31), 1998.--Ordered to be printed

_______________________________________________________________________


  Mr. Murkowski, from the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, 
                        submitted the following

                              R E P O R T

                         [To accompany S. 2232]

    The Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, to which was 
referred the bill (S. 2232) to establish the Little Rock 
Central High School National Historic Site in the State of 
Arkansas, and for other purposes, having considered the same, 
reports favorably thereon with an amendment and recommends that 
the bill, as amended, do pass.
    The amendment is as follows:
    Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert in lieu 
thereof the following:

SECTION 1. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.

    (a) Findings.--The Congress finds that--
          (1) the 1954 U.S. Supreme Court decision of Brown v. Board of 
        Education, which mandated an end to the segregation of public 
        schools, was one of the most significant Court decisions in the 
        history of the United States;
          (2) the admission of nine African-American students, known as 
        the ``Little Rock Nine'', to Little Rock's Central High School 
        as a result of the Brown decision, was the most prominent 
        national example of the implementation of the Brown decision, 
        and served as a catalyst for the integration of other, 
        previously segregated public schools in the United States;
          (3) 1997 marked the 70th anniversary of the construction of 
        Central High School, which has been named by the American 
        Institute of Architects as ``the most beautiful high school 
        building in America'';
          (4) Central High School was included in the National Register 
        of Historic Places in 1977 and designated by the Secretary of 
        the Interior as a National Historic Landmark in 1982 in 
        recognition of its national significance in the development of 
        the Civil Rights movement in the United States; and
          (5) the designation of Little Rock Central High School as a 
        unit of the National Park System will recognize the significant 
        role the school played in the desegregation of public schools 
        in the South and will interpret for future generations the 
        events associated with early desegregation of southern schools;
    (b) Purpose.--The purpose of this Act is to preserve, protect, and 
interpret for the benefit, education, and inspiration of present and 
future generations, Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, and 
its role in the integration of public schools and the development of 
the Civil Rights movement in the United States.

SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT OF CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE.

    (a) Establishment.--The Little Rock Central High School National 
Historic Site in the State of Arkansas (hereinafter referred to as the 
``historic site'') is hereby established as a unit of the National Park 
System. The historic site shall consist of lands and interests therein 
comprising the Central High School campus and adjacent properties in 
Little Rock, Arkansas, as generally depicted on a map entitled 
``Proposed Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site'', 
numbered LIRO-20,000 and dated July, 1998. Such map shall be on file 
and available for public inspection in the appropriate offices of the 
National Park Service.
    (b) Administration of Historic Site.--The Secretary of the Interior 
(hereinafter referred to as the ``Secretary'') shall administer the 
historic site in accordance with this Act. Only those lands under the 
direct jurisdiction of the Secretary shall be administered in 
accordance with the provisions of law generally applicable to units of 
the National Park System, including the Act of August 25, 1916 (16 
U.S.C. 1, 2-4) and the Act of August 21, 1935 (16 U.S.C. 461-467). 
Nothing in this Act shall affect the authority of the Little Rock 
School District to administer Little Rock Central High School, nor 
shall this Act affect the authorities of the City of Little Rock in the 
neighborhood surrounding the school.
    (c) Cooperative Agreements.--(1) The Secretary may enter into 
cooperative agreements with appropriate public and private agencies, 
organizations, and institutions (including, but not limited to, the 
State of Arkansas, the City of Little Rock, the Little Rock School 
District, Central High Museum, Inc., Central High Neighborhood, Inc., 
or the University of Arkansas) in furtherance of the purposes of this 
Act.
    (2) The Secretary shall coordinate visitor interpretation of the 
historic site with the Little Rock School District and the Central High 
School Museum, Inc.
    (d) General Management Plan.--Within three years after the date 
funds are made available, the Secretary shall prepare a general 
management plan for the historic site. The plan shall be prepared in 
consultation and coordination with the Little Rock School District, the 
City of Little Rock, Central High Museum, Inc., and with other 
appropriate organizations and agencies. The plan shall identify 
specific roles and responsibilities for the National Park Service in 
administering the historic site, and shall identify lands or property, 
if any, that might be necessary for the National Park Service to 
acquire in order to carry out its responsibilities. The plan shall also 
identify the roles and responsibilities of other entities in 
administering the historic site and its programs. The plan shall 
include a management framework that ensures the administration of the 
historic site does not interfere with the continuing use of Central 
High School as an educational institution.
    (e) Acquisition of Property.--The Secretary is authorized to 
acquire by purchase with donated or appropriated funds, by exchange, or 
donation the lands and interests therein located within the boundaries 
of the historic site: Provided, That the Secretary may not acquire 
lands or interests therein within the consent of the owner thereof: 
Provided further, That lands orinterests therein owned by the State of 
Arkansas or a political subdivision thereof, may only be acquired by 
donation or exchange.

SEC. 3. DESEGREGATION IN PUBLIC EDUCATION THEME STUDY.

    (a) Theme Study.--Within two years after the date funds are made 
available, the Secretary shall prepare and transmit to the Committee on 
Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on 
Resources of the House of Representatives a National Historic Landmark 
Theme Study (hereinafter referred to as the ``theme study'') on the 
history of desegregation in public education. The purpose of the theme 
study shall be to identify sites, districts, buildings, structures, and 
landscapes that best illustrate or commemorate key events or decisions 
in the historical movement to provide for racial desegregation in 
public education. On the basis of the theme study, the Secretary shall 
identify possible new national historic landmarks appropriate to this 
theme and prepare a list in order of importance or merit of the most 
appropriate sites for national historic landmark designation.
    (b) Opportunities for Education and Research.--The theme study 
shall identify appropriate means to establish linkages between sites 
identified in subsection (a) and between those sites and the Central 
High School National Historic Site established in section 2, and with 
other existing units of the National Park System to maximize 
opportunities for public education and scholarly research on 
desegregation in public education. The theme study also shall recommend 
opportunities for cooperative arrangements with State and local 
governments, educational institutions, local historical organizations, 
and other appropriate entities to preserve and interpret key sites in 
the history of desegregation in public education.
    (c) Cooperative Agreements.--The Secretary may enter into 
cooperative agreements with one or more educational institutions, 
public history organizations, or civil rights organizations 
knowledgeable about desegregation in public education to prepare the 
theme study and to ensure that the theme study meets scholarly 
standards.
    (d) Theme Study Coordination With General Management Plan.--The 
theme study shall be prepared as part of the preparation and 
development of the general management plan for the Little Rock Central 
High School National Historic Site established in section 2.

SEC. 4. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

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

                         Purpose of the measure

    The purpose of S. 2232, as ordered reported, is to 
establish the Little Rock Central High School National Historic 
Site in the State of Arkansas as a unit of the National Park 
System.

                          Background and need

    The integration of the Central High School in Little Rock, 
Arkansas, played a pivotal role in the desegregation of public 
schools throughout the South following the U.S. Supreme Court's 
landmark 1954 decision, Brown v. Board of Education. The 
Supreme Court held in the Brown decision that the segregation 
of public schools was unconstitutional. The following year, in 
its Brown II decision, the Court ruled that integration of the 
public schools was the responsibility of local school 
districts, to be carried out ``with all deliberate speed.'' 
This set the stage for the eventual confrontation in Little 
Rock.
    Prior to the Brown decision, Central High School was 
attended only by white students. Following the Court;s 
decision, the Little Rock School Board initially made plans to 
integrate in phases, to be implemented over a six-year period. 
However, by the time the school district began to implement its 
desegregation plan in the fall of 1957, the political 
controversy in Little Rock had increased to the extent that 
only 9 black students decided to enroll at Central High, along 
with approximately 1,900 white students.
    When the nine black students, known as the ``Little Rock 
Nine,'' attempted to enter Central High School in September of 
1957, the issue of desegregation had polarized not only Little 
Rock, but the entire Nation. The controversy intensified when 
the Governor of Arkansas, Orval E. Faubus, ordered the Arkansas 
National Guard to prevent the desegregation of Central High. 
Following several days of unrest, a Federal District Court in 
Little Rock issued an order preventing the National Guard from 
further obstructing desegregation efforts in Little Rock. Amid 
this period of intense unrest and acrimony, President 
Eisenhower issued an Executive Order which federalized the 
National Guard and deployed Federal troops to enforce the 
district court's order. Although several events during the 
following days were often tense, the eventual peaceful 
resolution that followed helped to ensure the successful 
implementation of the Supreme Court's Brown decision, not only 
in Little Rock, but throughout the South.
    During the fall of 1957, the attention of the Nation was 
focused on Little Rock. Because of the national focus, Little 
Rock became the catalyst for the subsequent integration of 
public schools throughout the South, and Little Rock Central 
High School is the site most closely associated with the 
desegregation of public education in the United States. The 
school is included on the National Register of Historic Places, 
and was designated in 1982 as a National Historic Landmark by 
the Secretary of the Interior. According to a study prepared by 
the National Park Service, the school is nationally significant 
and suitable and feasible for designation as a National 
Historic Site.

                          Legislative History

    S. 2232 was introduced by Senators Bumpers and Hutchinson 
on June 25, 1998. TheSubcommittee on National Parks, Historic 
Preservation and Recreation held a hearing on S. 2232 on July 9, 1998.
    At its July 29, 1998 business meeting, the Committee on 
Energy and Natural Resources ordered S. 2232, as amended, 
favorably reported.

                       committee recommendations

    The Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, in open 
business session on July 29, 1998, by a unanimous voice vote of 
a quorum present, recommends that the Senate pass S. 2232, if 
amended as described herein.

                          committee amendment

    During the consideration of S. 2232, the Committee adopted 
an amendment in the nature of a substitute. The amendment 
clarifies that designation of Central High School as a unit of 
the National Park System will not result in administration or 
operation of the school by the National Park Service, nor will 
the designation affect the Little Rock School District's 
authority to administer Central High, or the City of Little 
Rock's authorities in the neighborhood surrounding the school. 
In addition, the amendment revises the boundary map for the 
historic site to include the Central High Museum and Visitor 
Center and other adjacent properties as part of the historic 
site. All of the changes made by the amendment were recommended 
by the National Park Service at the Subcommittee hearing on S. 
2232. The amendment is explained in detail in the section-by-
section analysis, below.

                      section-by-section analysis

    Section 1(a) contains several Congressional findings.
    Subsection (b) states that the purpose of the Act is to 
preserve, protect, and interpret Little Rock Central High 
School for the benefit, education, and inspiration of present 
and future generations, and its role in the integration of 
public schools and the development of the Civil Rights movement 
in the United States.
    Section 2(a) establishes the Little Rock Central High 
School National Historic Site (historic site) as a unit of the 
National Park System. The subsection also references a map 
depicting the boundaries of the historic site.
    Subsection (b) provides that the Secretary of the Interior 
(Secretary) is to administer the historic site in accordance 
with this Act. The subsection makes clear that only lands under 
the direct jurisdiction of the Secretary shall be administered 
in accordance with the provisions of law generally applicable 
to units of the National Park System, including the 1916 
National Park Service Organic Act and the Historic Sties Act of 
1935. The subsection also clarifies that the designation of 
Little Rock Central High School as a National Historic Site 
will not affect the authority of the Little Rock School 
District to administer Central High, nor will the designation 
affect the authorities of the city of Little Rock with respect 
to the surrounding neighborhood.
    Subsection (c) authorizes the Secretary to enter into 
cooperative agreements with appropriate public and private 
agencies, organizations, and institutions in furtherance of the 
purposes of this Act. Visitor interpretation activities are to 
be coordinated with the Little Rock School District and Central 
High Museum, Inc.
    Subsection (d) directs the Secretary to prepare a general 
management plan for the historic site within three years after 
the date funds are made available. The plan is to identify 
specific roles and responsibilities for the National Park 
Service in administering the historic site, as well as 
identifying lands or property necessary within the historic 
site for potential acquisition by the Park Service. The plan is 
to include a management framework to ensure that administration 
of the historic site does not interfere with the continuing use 
of Central High School as an active educational institution.
    Subsection (e) contains standard land acquisition language. 
It authorizes the Secretary to acquire lands or interests 
therein within the boundaries of the historic site by purchase 
with donated or appropriated funds, donation or exchange. Lands 
(or interests therein) may only be acquired from willing 
sellers, and lands (or interests therein) owned by the State of 
Arkansas or a political subdivision of the State may only be 
acquired by donation or exchange.
    Section 3(a) directs the Secretary to prepare a National 
Historic Landmark Theme Study on the history of desegregation 
in public education. The study is to be completed within two 
years after the date funds are made available. The purpose of 
the study is to identify sites and structures which best 
illustrate or commemorate key events or decisions in the 
historical movement to provide for racial desegregation in 
public education.
    Subsection (b) states that the theme study is to identify 
appropriate ways to establish linkages between sites identified 
by the theme study and with Little Rock Central High School, in 
order to maximize opportunities for public education and 
scholarly research.
    Subsection (c) authorizes the Secretary to enter into 
cooperative agreements with educational institutions, public 
history organizations, or civil rights organizations in the 
preparation of the theme study.
    Subsection (d) provides that the theme study is to be 
prepared as part of the development of the general management 
plan for the historic site.
    Section 4 authorizes the appropriation of such sums as may 
be necessary to carry out this Act.

                   Cost and budgetary considerations

    The following estimate of the costs of this measure has 
been provided by the Congressional Budget Office:

                                     U.S. Congress,
                               Congressional Budget Office,
                                   Washington, DC, August 20, 1998.
Hon. Frank H. Murkowski,
Chairman, Committee on Energy and Natural Resources,
U.S. Senate, Washington, DC.
    Dear Mr. Chairman: The Congressional Budget Office has 
prepared the enclosed cost estimate for S. 2232, a bill to 
establish the Little Rock Central High School National Historic 
Site in the state of Arkansas, and for other purposes.
    If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be 
pleased to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Deborah Reis.
            Sincerely,
                                              James L. Blum
                                   (For June E. O'Neill, Director).
    Enclosure.

S. 2232.--A bill to establish the Little Rock Central High School 
        National Historic Site in the state of Arkansas, and for other 
        purposes

    CBO estimates that initial one-time costs to implement S. 
2232 would be about $1 million over fiscal years 1999 and 2000, 
assuming appropriation of the necessary amounts. In addition, 
CBO estimates that the federal government would spend about 
$500,000 annually, beginning in 2000, to operate new facilities 
authorized by the legislation. Additional one-time expenses 
also may be incurred after 2000, but their amount cannot be 
determined at this time.
    Enacting S. 2232 would not affect direct spending and 
receipts; therefore, pay-as-you-go procedures would not apply. 
The bill contains no intergovernmental or private-sector 
mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act and 
would impose no costs on state, local, or tribal governments.
    S. 2232 would establish as a unit of the National Park 
System the Little Rock Central High School National Historic 
Site in Arkansas. The historic site would be composed of the 
school building itself (which would continue to be owned and 
operated by the Little Rock School District), the visitor 
center currently operated by the Central High Museum, Inc., and 
other adjacent property including Ponder's Drug Store and some 
vacant lots. The bill would:
          authorize the National Park Service (NPS) to acquire 
        property at the site by donation, purchase, or 
        exchange,
          direct the NPS to prepare a general management plan 
        for the site along with a theme study to identify 
        similar sites that commemorate racial desegregation in 
        public schools, both within two years of receiving 
        funding for the studies,
          authorize the agency to execute cooperative 
        agreements with public or private agencies, 
        organizations, and institutions to carry out the 
        purposes of the legislation, and
          authorize the appropriation of whatever sums are 
        necessary for these activities.
    Based on information provide by the NPS and assuming 
appropriation of the necessary amounts, CBO estimates that the 
federal government would spend around $1 million to prepare the 
required studies, acquire a small amount of land at the site, 
develop an interpretive program in conjunction with the museum, 
and provide minimal facilities such as parking. Beginning in 
fiscal year 2000, the NPS would need about $500,000 annually to 
manage the site, including the costs of assisting the museum in 
operating the existing visitor center, coordinating volunteer 
activities, and providing assistance under cooperative 
agreements. Once the general management plan has been 
completed, other development projects could be identified. CBO 
cannot predict what these projects might include, but 
possibilities include additional visitor facilities, which 
could cost a few million dollars.
    The CBO staff contact is Deborah Reis. This estimate was 
approved by Paul N. Van de Water, Assistant Director for Budget 
Analysis.

                      regulatory impact evaluation

    In compliance with paragraph 11(b) of rule XXVI of the 
Standing Rules of the Senate, the Committee makes the following 
evaluation of the regulatory impact which would be incurred in 
carrying out S. 2232. The bill is not a regulatory measure in 
the sense of imposing government-established standards or 
significant responsibilities on private individuals and 
businesses.
    No personal information would be collected in administering 
the program. Therefore, there would be no impact on personal 
privacy.
    Little, if any, additional paperwork would result from the 
enactment of S. 2232, as ordered reported.

                        executive communications

    The relevant testimony provided by the National Park 
Service at the Subcommittee hearing follows:

    Statement of William D. Shaddox, Acting Associate Director for 
    Professional Services, National Park Service, Department of the 
                                Interior

    Mr. Chairman, thank you for the opportunity to appear 
before the committee to testify on S. 2232, a bill to establish 
the Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site in 
Arkansas, and for other purposes. We support enactment of this 
bill with the amendments outlined in our testimony.
    Little Rock Central High School is a symbol of the end of 
racially segregated public schools in the United States. The 
high school provided the backdrop for the first important test 
for implementation of the Supreme Court's Brown v. Board of 
Education decisions. The admission in 1957 of nine black 
students to Central High School drew national and international 
attention, and was the first fundamental test of the nation's 
resolve to enforce black civil rights in the face of 
significant public defiance. In recognition of the importance 
of Central High School in the history of the United States, the 
site was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1982. In 
1996, the surrounding neighborhood was listed on the National 
Register of Historic Places because of its association with the 
events of 1957 and because of its architectural characteristics 
and qualities.
    In 1997, Congress directed the National Park Service to 
prepare a special resources study to determine the suitability 
and feasibility of designating Central High School as a unit of 
the National Park System. That study should be completed by 
September 1998. Many of the comments and recommendations we 
make in this testimony evolve from findings of the study.
    S. 2232 establishes Little Rock Central High School as a 
National Historic Site. The purpose of the bill is to preserve, 
protect, and interpret for the benefit, education, and 
inspiration of present and future generations the high school 
and its role in the integration of public schools and the 
development of the Civil Rights movement in the United States. 
The site would consist of lands and interests therein 
comprising the Central High School campus in Little Rock, 
Arkansas. The site would be administered by the Secretary of 
the Interior in accordance with the bill and with the laws 
generally applicable to units of the National Park System, 
provided, that nothing in the bill would affect the authority 
of the Little Rock School District to administer Central High 
School.
    The bill directs the Secretary to coordinate interpretation 
of the historic site with the Little Rock School District and 
the Central High School Museum Board and to consult and 
coordinate with the Little Rock School District in the 
development of a general management plan and in the 
administration of the historic site. The bill authorizes 
acquisition of property within the historic site with the 
consent of landowners, and limits acquisition of lands owned by 
the State of Arkansas or a political subdivision thereof to a 
donation or exchange. Finally, the bill directs preparation of 
a National Historic Landmark Theme Study on the history of 
desegregation in public education.
    Various organizations and agencies in the Little Rock area 
already are working to preserve the resources of Central High 
School and are attempting to provide public educational 
opportunities to learn about the school's stories. The Little 
Rock School District maintains Central High School in generally 
good condition and provides limited visitor access to the 
building. Central High Museum, Inc., operates a visitor center 
across from the school. The visitor center and its displays are 
very well done, and provide a sound introduction to the 
importance of the site in our nation's history. However, funds 
to operate this visitor center are limited, and it is uncertain 
to what extent the facility will be able to continue to be 
accessible to the public. Further, little is being done to 
ensure comprehensive preservation of the historic fabric of the 
school, the surrounding neighborhood, and other buildings 
related to the important events of 1957.
    Existing local efforts provide a solid foundation from 
which a viable national historic site can be created. We 
believe the most effective means to protect the site's 
historical resources, to interpret the site for public 
understanding and enjoyment, and to administer the site is 
through a partnership framework that includes the National Park 
Service, Little Rock Public Schools, Central High Museum, Inc., 
the City of Little Rock, and others.
    Under such a framework, we believe the most appropriate 
roles for the National Park Service are: (1) Facilitating of 
site management by promoting partnerships and by convening 
meetings and encouraging dialogue between partners to make 
decisions and to achieve mutual goals; (2) developing and 
leading a comprehensive interpretive program; (3) developing 
and implementing a volunteer program to support the site; (4) 
providing historic preservation assistance to Little Rock 
Schools, the City of Little Rock, and neighborhood residents 
and property owners to ensure long-term preservation of 
cultural resources and landscapes; and (5) working with 
partners to recruit additional public and private sector 
support for the site and to pursue sources of additional funds 
and resources to supplement and expand site programs and 
objectives.
    We do not envision a role in matters related to the 
operation of the high school, nor in maintenance or capital 
improvements to the school or any other structures within 
boundaries of a NHS. We do not envision a role that would usurp 
the City of Little Rock's responsibilities for public health 
and safety or for land use management and controls. Finally, we 
do not envision that the National Park Service would serve as a 
traditional land manager at Central High School. We anticipate 
the need to acquire little, if any, property, and would not 
seek regulatory authority (other than for the minimal property 
we might own in fee). We suggest that any property that might 
be desirable for NPS ownership be identified with public 
involvement in association with a general management planning 
process.
    In accordance with these visions, we recommend amending 
section 2(b) of the bill to read:

          The Secretary of the Interior shall administer the 
        historic site in accordance with this Act. Only those 
        lands within the site under the direct jurisdiction of 
        the Secretary shall be administered in accordance with 
        the provisions of law generally applicable to units of 
        the National Park System. Other lands within the 
        historic site shall be administered under existing 
        State and local laws. Nothing in this Act shall affect 
        the authority of the Little Rock School District to 
        administer Little Rock Central High School, nor shall 
        this Act affect the authorities of the City of Little 
        Rock in the neighborhood surrounding the school.

    This change makes clear that the National Park Service 
would not be a traditional land manager at the site, and that 
existing State and local authorities will continue to be 
primary guidance for administration of the site.
    We also recommend section 2(d) be amended to read:

          Within three years after the date funds are made 
        available, the Secretary shall prepare a general 
        management plan (hereinafter ``plan'') for the historic 
        site. The plan shall be prepared in consultation and 
        coordination with the Little Rock School District, the 
        City of Little Rock, Central High Museum, Inc., and 
        with other appropriate organizations and agencies. The 
        plan shall identify specific roles and responsibilities 
        for the National Park Service in administering the 
        historic site, and shall identify lands or property, if 
        any, that might be necessary for the National Park 
        Service to acquire to accomplish its roles and 
        responsibilities. The plan also shall identify the 
        roles and responsibilities of other entities to partner 
        in administering the historic site and its programs. 
        The plan shall include a management framework that 
        ensures the administration of the historic site does 
        not interfere with the continuing use of Central High 
        School as an educational institution.

    Section 2(e) can then be deleted and succeeding sections 
renumbered. This change makes clear the importance of local 
partners in ensuring efficient and effective management of the 
historic site. Extending the time period for preparation of the 
general management plan from two years to three years will 
allow for the necessary, extensive coordination with potential 
partners and with the public.
    Based on decisions made through the general management 
planning process, it may be desirable to include properties 
outside the Central High School campus within the national 
historic site. For example, Central High Museum may need to be 
added to the boundary if planning identifies the National Park 
Service as the most appropriate entity to manage the facility. 
Ponder's Drug Store was an important site during the September 
1957 incidents at the high school. That facility may hold 
potential for interpretation or administrative use. And vacant 
lots across from the high school may be desirable for 
additional parking or other support facilities. Therefore, we 
recommend amending section 2(a) after ``Central High School 
campus'' by inserting ``and the adjacent properties.'' The 
adjacent properties depicted on the reference map would be 
limited to the vacant lots at the intersection of Park and 14th 
Streets, the Central High Museum property, and the Ponder's 
Drug Store building.
    We are pleased the bill includes provisions for a National 
Historic Landmark theme study. We would have preferred to 
conduct such a study before considering designation of Central 
High as a historic site. However, conducting the study in 
association with the general management plan will allow us to 
identify other important sites in the movement to provide for 
racial desegregation in public schools and to identify 
possibilities to create linkages between those sites, Central 
High School, and other National Park Service sites such as 
Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site. Preparation 
of the theme study provides an opportunity to identify 
opportunities and mechanisms by which the National Park Service 
may cooperate with other entities to preserve and interpret key 
sites in the history of desegregation in public education. With 
our recommended amendments, we strongly support S. 2232.
    Mr. Chairman, this concludes my remarks. I would be happy 
to answer any questions you may have.

                        CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW

    In compliance with paragraph 12 of rule XXVI of the 
Standing Rules of the Senate, the Committee notes that no 
changes in existing law are made by the bill S. 2232, as 
ordered reported.