[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 120, 109th Congress, 2nd Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
PROCLAMATION 7984--FEB. 27, 2006

Proclamation 7984 of February 27, 2006
Establishment of the African American Burial Ground National Monument
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
In Lower Manhattan, at the corners of Duane and Elk Streets, lies an
undeveloped parcel of approximately 15,000 square feet that constitutes
a remaining portion of New York City's early African Burial Ground. The
site is part of an approximately 7-acre National Historic Landmark
established on April 19, 1993. From the 1690s to the 1790s, the African
Burial Ground served as the final resting place of enslaved and free
Africans in New York City, New York. It contains the remains of those
interred, as well as the archeological resources and artifacts
associated with their burials. Prior to the date of this proclamation,
the site was administered by the General Services Administration (GSA),
and it will be the location of a memorial, to be constructed soon
according to a design selected on April 29, 2005, through a competition

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conducted by the GSA with the participation of the National Park Service
(NPS) and other interested parties.
Whereas the African Burial Ground National Monument will promote
understanding of related resources, encourage continuing research, and
present interpretive opportunities and programs for visitors to better
understand and honor the culture and vital contributions of generations
of Africans and Americans of African descent to our Nation;
Whereas section 2 of the Act of June 8, 1906 (34 Stat. 225, 16 U.S.C.
431) (the ``Antiquities Act'') authorizes the President, in his
discretion, to declare by public proclamation historic landmarks,
historic and prehistoric structures, and other objects of historic or
scientific interest that are situated upon lands owned or controlled by
the Government of the United States to be national monuments, and to
reserve as a part thereof parcels of land, the limits of which in all
cases shall be confined to the smallest area compatible with the proper
care and management of the objects to be protected;
Whereas it would be in the public interest to preserve the portion of
the African Burial Ground at the corner of Duane and Elk Streets in New
York City, and certain lands as necessary for the care and management of
the historic and scientific objects therein, as the African Burial
Ground National Monument;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of
America, by the authority vested in me by section 2 of the Act of June
8, 1906 (34 Stat. 225, 16 U.S.C. 431), do proclaim that there are hereby
set apart and reserved as the African Burial Ground National Monument
for the purpose of protecting the objects described above, all lands and
interests in lands owned or controlled by the Government of the United
States with the boundaries described on the accompanying land
description, which is attached and forms a part of this proclamation.
The Federal land and interests in land reserved consist of approximately
15,000 square feet, which is the smallest area compatible with the
proper care and management of the objects to be protected.
All Federal lands and interests of lands within the boundaries of this
monument are hereby appropriated and withdrawn from all forms of entry,
location, selection, sale, or leasing or other disposition under the
public land laws, including, but not limited to, withdrawal from
location, entry, and patent under mining laws, and from disposition
under all laws relating to mineral and geothermal leasing.
The Secretary of the Interior (Secretary), acting through the NPS, shall
administer the national monument consistent with the purposes and
provisions of this proclamation and applicable laws and regulations
governing management of units of the national park system. For the
purposes of preserving, interpreting, and enhancing public understanding
and appreciation of the national monument and its meaning to society,
the Secretary, acting through the NPS, shall develop an interagency
agreement with the Administrator of General Services and, within 3 years
of the date of this proclamation, prepare a management plan for the
national monument. The management plan shall, among other provisions,
set forth the desired relationship of the national monument to other
related resources, programs, and organizations in New York City and
other locations, provide for maximum public involvement in its
development, and identify steps to be taken to provide

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interpretive opportunities for the entirety of the National Historic
Landmark and related sites in New York City. Further, to the extent
authorized by law, the Secretary, acting through the NPS, shall
promulgate any additional regulations needed for the proper care and
management of the objects identified above.
The establishment of this monument is subject to valid existing rights.
Nothing in this proclamation shall be deemed to revoke any existing
withdrawal, reservation, or appropriation; however, the national
monument shall be the dominant reservation.
Warning is hereby given to all unauthorized persons not to appropriate,
injure, destroy, or remove any feature of this monument and not to
locate or settle upon any lands thereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-seventh day
of February, in the year of our Lord two thousand six, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and
thirtieth.
GEORGE W. BUSH

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GRAPHIC TIFF TD02MR06.006


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GRAPHIC TIF1 TD02MR06.007