To establish within the National Park Service the 225th Anniversary of the American Revolution Commemorative Program, and for other purposes.

May 22, 2003

Mrs. CLINTON (for herself and Mr. WARNER) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

To establish within the National Park Service the 225th Anniversary of the American Revolution Commemorative Program, and for other purposes.

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 `225th Anniversary of the American Revolution Commemoration Act'.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.

(a) FINDINGS- Congress finds that--

(1) the American Revolution, inspired by the spirit of liberty and independence among the inhabitants of the original 13 English colonies, was an event of global significance having a profound and lasting effect on the government, laws, culture, society, and values of the United States;

(2) the years 2000 through 2008 mark the 225th anniversary of the American Revolution;

(3) citizens of the United States should have an opportunity to understand and appreciate the continuing legacy of the American Revolution;

(4) the 225th anniversary of the American Revolution provides an opportunity to enhance public awareness and understanding of the impact of the American Revolution on the lives of citizens of the United States;

(5) although the National Park Service administers battlefields, historical parks, historic sites, and programs that address elements of the story of the American Revolution, there is a need to establish partnerships that link those sites and programs with sites and programs of other Federal and non-Federal entities to place the story of the American Revolution in the broad context of the causes, consequences, and significance of the American Revolution; and

(6) a national program of the National Park Service that links historic structures and sites, routes, activities, community projects, exhibits, and multimedia materials in a manner that is unified and flexible is the best method of conveying to citizens of the United States the story and significance of the American Revolution.

(b) PURPOSES- The purposes of this Act are--

(1) to recognize the enduring importance of the American Revolution to the lives of citizens of the United States; and

(2) to authorize the National Park Service to coordinate, connect, and facilitate Federal and non-Federal activities to commemorate, honor, and interpret the history of the American Revolution, including the significance and relevance of the American Revolution to the shape and spirit of the Government and society of the United States.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

In this Act:

(1) PROGRAM- The term `Program' means the 225th Anniversary of the American Revolution Commemoration Program established under section 4(a).

(2) SECRETARY- The term `Secretary' means the Secretary of the Interior.

SEC. 4. 225TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION COMMEMORATION PROGRAM.

(a) IN GENERAL- The Secretary shall establish within the National Park Service a program to be known as the `225th Anniversary of the American Revolution Commemoration Program'.

(b) ACTIVITIES- In carrying out the program, the Secretary shall--

(1) produce and distribute to the public educational materials relating to the American Revolution, such as--

(A) handbooks;

(B) maps;

(C) interpretive guides; and

(D) electronic information;

(2) enter into appropriate cooperative agreements and memoranda of understanding to provide technical assistance under subsection (d);

(3) assist in the protection of resources associated with the American Revolution;

(4) enhance communications, connections, and collaboration among units and programs of the National Park Service relating to the American Revolution;

(5) expand the research base for interpretation of and education on the American Revolution; and

(6)(A) create and adopt an official, uniform symbol or device for the theme `Lighting Freedom's Flame: American Revolution, 225th Anniversary'; and

(B) promulgate regulations for the use of the symbol or device.

(c) COMPONENTS- The Program shall include--

(1) units and programs of the National Park Service relevant to the American Revolution, as determined by the Secretary;

(2) other governmental and nongovernmental--

(A) sites and facilities that are documented to be directly related to the American Revolution; and

(B) programs of an educational, research, or interpretive nature relating to the American Revolution; and

(3) through the Secretary of State, the participation of the Governments of the United Kingdom, France, the Netherlands, Spain, and Canada.

(d) COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS AND MEMORANDA OF UNDERSTANDING- To achieve the purposes of this Act and to ensure the effective coordination of the Federal and non-Federal components of the Program with National Park Service units and programs, the Secretary may enter into cooperative agreements and memoranda of understanding with, and provide technical assistance to--

(1) the heads of other Federal agencies, States, units of local government, and private entities; and

(2) in cooperation with the Secretary of State, the Governments of the United Kingdom, France, the Netherlands, Spain, and Canada.

(e) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS- There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this Act $500,000 for each of fiscal years 2004 through 2009.

END