To provide financial assistance for the rehabilitation of the Benjamin Franklin National Memorial in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and the development of an exhibit to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the birth of Benjamin Franklin.

April 14, 2005

Mr. GERLACH (for himself, Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania, Mr. HOLDEN, Mr. PETERSON of Pennsylvania, Mr. PLATTS, Ms. HART, Mr. ENGLISH of Pennsylvania, and Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Resources

To provide financial assistance for the rehabilitation of the Benjamin Franklin National Memorial in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and the development of an exhibit to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the birth of Benjamin Franklin.

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 `Benjamin Franklin National Memorial Commemoration Act of 2005'.

SEC. 2. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN NATIONAL MEMORIAL.

The Secretary of the Interior may provide a grant to the Franklin Institute to--

(1) rehabilitate the Benjamin Franklin National Memorial (including the Franklin statue) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and

(2) develop an interpretive exhibit relating to Benjamin Franklin, to be displayed at a museum adjacent to the Benjamin Franklin National Memorial.

SEC. 3. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

(a) In General- There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act $10,000,000.

(b) Required Match- The Secretary of the Interior shall require the Franklin Institute to match any amounts provided to the Franklin Institute under this Act.

END