119-hr1568

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 1568 Introduced in House

    (IH) ]

<DOC>

119th CONGRESS
 1st Session
 H. R. 1568

 To establish the African Burial Ground International Memorial Museum 
 and Educational Center in New York, New York, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

 February 25, 2025

 Mr. Goldman of New York (for himself, Mr. Espaillat, Mr. Jackson of 
 Illinois, Mr. Nadler, Ms. Norton, Ms. Clarke of New York, Ms. 
 Velazquez, and Mr. Raskin) introduced the following bill; which was 
 referred to the Committee on Natural Resources

_______________________________________________________________________

 A BILL

 To establish the African Burial Ground International Memorial Museum 
 and Educational Center in New York, New York, 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 ``African Burial Ground International 
Memorial Museum and Educational Center Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

 Congress finds that--

    (1) the African Burial Ground National Historic Landmark in 
 New York, New York, holds the remains of up to 20,000 enslaved 
 Africans and early-generation African Americans from the 
 colonial era;

    (2) the Africans and African Americans that suffered under 
 slavery show us the strength of the human character and provide 
 us with a model of courage, commitment, and perseverance;

    (3) as President George W. Bush stated on July 8, 2003, 
 during his remarks at Goree Island, Senegal: ``For 250 years 
 the captives endured an assault on their culture and their 
 dignity. The spirit of Africans in America did not break. . . . 
 All the generations of oppression under the laws of man could 
 not crush the hope of freedom and defeat the purposes of 
 God.'';

    (4) on February 27, 2006, President George W. Bush 
 established the National Monument, which was comprised of the 
 approximately 15,000-square foot parcel of the National 
 Historic Landmark that was bounded by Duane and Elk Streets in 
 Lower Manhattan;

    (5) an international memorial museum facility dedicated to 
 those individuals who suffered the grave injustice of slavery 
 in the United States, while at the same time helping to build 
 the country, would--
        (A) reflect the significance of the African Burial 
 Ground; and
        (B) help the people of the United States understand 
 the past and honor the history of all people in the 
 United States;

    (6) in 1998, the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution--
        (A) stated that the African Burial Ground affords 
 the perfect opportunity to gain insight into--
            (i) the institution of slavery, as 
 practiced in urban, rural, northern, and 
 southern parts of the United States; and
            (ii) the international slave trade; and
        (B) proposed that a partnership be formed among the 
 Smithsonian, the National Park Service, and the General 
 Services Administration to further develop the African 
 Burial Ground;

    (7) the National Museum of African American History and 
 Culture Act (20 U.S.C. 80r et seq.), which authorized 
 construction of a museum in Washington, DC, identified the 
 period of slavery as one of the periods of the African-American 
 diaspora that would be encompassed by the museum;

    (8) the African Burial Ground--
        (A) is unlike any other anthropological and 
 symbolic site in the United States or the world;
        (B) includes DNA samples from the remarkably well-
 preserved human remains that will enable researchers to 
 trace the home ``roots'' in Africa of those individuals 
 buried at the African Burial Ground; and
            (C) provides a fitting location for a national 
 memorial facility, relating to the National Museum of 
 African American History and Culture that would--
            (i) pay special tribute to--
            (I) the thousands of enslaved 
 individuals who are buried at the 
 African Burial Ground; and
            (II) all of the individuals who 
 were enslaved during the history of the 
 United States;
            (ii) examine the African cultural 
 traditions brought to the United States by the 
 enslaved; and
            (iii) explore in-depth the institution of 
 slavery;

    (9) a memorial museum at the site of the African Burial 
 Ground--
        (A) was first recommended by a Federal steering 
 committee in 1992; and
        (B) in conjunction with the World Trade Center 
 memorial and other nearby sites, would attract millions 
 of visitors from the United States and abroad, making a 
 substantial contribution to the development and 
 revitalization of Lower Manhattan in response to the 
 attacks on the World Trade Center of September 11, 
 2001;

    (10) Public Law 99-511 (100 Stat. 2080) encouraged support 
 for the establishment of a commemorative structure within the 
 National Park System or on other Federal land that is dedicated 
 to the promotion of understanding, knowledge, opportunity, and 
 equality for all people;

    (11) similar to the National Museum of the Native American 
 that was established by 

section 3

    (a) of the National Museum of 
 the American Indian Act (20 U.S.C. 80q-1

    (a) ), a memorial museum 
 at the site of the African Burial Ground would benefit from a 
 partnership among--
        (A) the Federal Government;
        (B) the State of New York;
            (C) the city of New York; and
            (D) members of the private sector;

    (12) the African Burial Ground--
        (A) has been determined to be nationally 
 significant as--
            (i) a National Historic Landmark; and
            (ii) a National Monument; and
        (B) provides an important opportunity for 
 interpretation, understanding, partnership, and pride; 
 and

    (13) the National Park Service--
        (A) has played an important role in the development 
 of the African Burial Ground (including the designation 
 of the African Burial Ground as a National Monument);
        (B) successfully operates other national facilities 
 in the city of New York that symbolize freedom and the 
 quest for freedom in America, including--
            (i) the Statue of Liberty National 
 Monument; and
            (ii) the Ellis Island National Monument;
            (C) provided key support to the Presidential Study 
 Commission for the National Museum of African American 
 History and Culture; and
            (D) is well-suited to assume a leadership role with 
 respect to the creation of the Museum.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

 In this Act:

    (1) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' means the 
 Administrator of the General Services Administration.

    (2) Advisory council.--The term ``Advisory Council'' means 
 the African Burial Ground Advisory Council established by 
 

section 7

    (a) .

    (3) City.--The term ``City'' means the city of New York, 
 New York.

    (4) Expansion property.--The term ``expansion property'' 
 means the property that is acquired by the Secretary under 
 

section 5

    (a) .

    (5) Museum.--The term ``Museum'' means the African Burial 
 Ground International Memorial Museum and Educational Center 
 established by 

section 4

    (a) .

    (6) National landmark.--The term ``National Landmark'' 
 means the African Burial Ground National Historic Landmark in 
 the City.

    (7) National monument.--The term ``National Monument'' 
 means the African Burial Ground National Monument in the City.

    (8) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
 of the Interior, acting through the Director of the National 
 Park Service.

    (9) State.--The term ``State'' means the State of New York.

SEC. 4. ESTABLISHMENT OF MUSEUM.

    (a) Establishment.--There is established at the National Monument a 
memorial museum and educational center, to be known as the ``African 
Burial Ground International Memorial Museum and Educational Center''.

    (b) 

=== Purposes ===
-The purposes of the Museum are--

    (1) to serve as a permanent living memorial--
        (A) to the enslaved who are buried at the African 
 Burial Ground; and
        (B) to other Africans and African Americans who 
 were enslaved;

    (2) to examine the African cultural traditions brought to 
 the United States by the enslaved;

    (3) to explore in-depth the institution of slavery in the 
 United States and other parts of the world;

    (4) to provide a space for--
        (A) permanent and temporary exhibits; and
        (B) the collection and study of artifacts and 
 documents; and

    (5) to encourage collaboration between the Museum and the 
 National Museum of African American History and Culture, other 
 museums, historically Black colleges and universities, 
 historical societies, educational institutions, and other 
 appropriate entities and organizations, such as the African 
 Burial Ground Memorial Foundation, including collaboration with 
 respect to--
        (A) the development of cooperative programs and 
 exhibitions, including through digital, electronic, and 
 interactive technologies;
        (B) the identification, management, and care of 
 Museum collections; and
            (C) the training of Museum and National Park 
 Service professionals and other persons concerned with 
 heritage preservation.
            (c) Association With National Museum.--The Museum shall become 
associated with the National Museum of African American History and 
Culture, in a manner to be determined by the Secretary, in consultation 
with the Advisory Council and the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian 
Institution.

SEC. 5. SITE ACQUISITION AND DEVELOPMENT.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary, in consultation with the 
Administrator, the Advisory Council, and other appropriate entities or 
organizations, such as the African Burial Ground Memorial Foundation, 
shall--

    (1) acquire for the Museum property that is located at--
        (A) 22 Reade Street, which is adjacent to the 
 National Monument; or
        (B) in any other area of the National Landmark 
 other than the location described in subparagraph
        (A) ; 
 and

    (2) plan, design, and construct the Museum on the property 
 acquired under paragraph

    (1) .

    (b) Federal Share.--The Secretary shall pay \2/3 \of the total 
costs of--

    (1) acquiring property for the Museum; and

    (2) planning, designing, constructing, reconstructing, and 
 renovating, as applicable, the Museum.
            (c) Contracting Authority.--

    (1) In general.--The Secretary and the Administrator may 
 enter into any agreements with each other, the City, the State, 
 and other parties, such as the African Burial Ground Memorial 
 Foundation, that are necessary for the acquisition, by donation 
 or other means, of property for--
        (A) establishing the Museum; and
        (B) planning, designing, constructing, 
 reconstructing, and renovating, as applicable, the 
 Museum.

    (2) Site acquisition.--The Secretary may acquire property 
 under subsection

    (a)

    (1) by purchase, long-term lease, or any 
 other appropriate means of acquisition, as determined by the 
 Secretary.
            (d) Expansion of National Monument.--The expansion property is 
incorporated in, and shall be managed as part of, the National 
Monument.

SEC. 6. OPERATION OF THE MUSEUM.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary, in consultation with the Advisory 
Council and the African Burial Ground Memorial Foundation, shall 
operate the Museum.

    (b) Authorities.--The Secretary, in consultation with the Advisory 
Council, may--

    (1) purchase, accept, borrow, and otherwise acquire 
 artifacts for the collections of the Museum;

    (2) loan, exchange, sell, and otherwise dispose of any part 
 of the collections of the Museum, if the proceeds of the 
 disposition are used for additions to the collections of the 
 Museum;

    (3) specify criteria with respect to the use of the 
 collections and resources of the Museum, including policies on 
 programming, education, exhibitions, and research;

    (4) provide for preservation, restoration, and maintenance 
 of the collections of the Museum;

    (5) solicit, accept, use, and dispose of gifts, bequests, 
 and devises of real and personal property for the purpose of 
 facilitating the work of the Museum;

    (6) contract with such parties as may be necessary to 
 facilitate the operation of the Museum;

    (7) administer the National Monument as a unit of the 
 National Park System in accordance with--
        (A) this Act; and
        (B) the laws generally applicable to units of the 
 National Park System, including applicable provisions 
 of division A of subtitle I of title 54, United States 
 Code; and

    (8) conduct any other activities that are necessary to 
 carry out the purposes of this Act.

SEC. 7. ADVISORY COUNCIL.

    (a) Establishment.--There is established within the Department of 
the Interior an advisory council to be known as the ``African Burial 
Ground Advisory Council''.

    (b) Membership.--

    (1) Composition.--The Advisory Council shall be composed of 
 the following members or their designees:
        (A) The Secretary, who shall serve as Chairperson 
 of the Advisory Council.
        (B) The Director of the National Park Service.
            (C) The Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution.
            (D) The Administrator.
        (E) The Governor of the State.
        (F) The Mayor of the City.
        (G) The President of the Borough of Manhattan.
        (H) Fourteen members, to be appointed by the 
 Secretary, taking into consideration--
            (i) recommendations from organizations and 
 entities that are committed to the legacy of 
 the African Burial Ground, such as the African 
 Burial Ground Memorial Foundation; and
            (ii) recommendations from the members of 
 the Advisory Council.

    (2) Nonvoting members.--The Secretary may appoint as 
 nonvoting members of the Advisory Council--
        (A) members of the United States Senate;
        (B) members of the House of Representatives;
            (C) officials representing the City;
            (D) officials representing the State; and
        (E) any other individuals that the Secretary, in 
 consultation with the members of the Advisory Council, 
 determines to be appropriate.

    (3) Date of appointments.--The initial appointment of a 
 member under paragraph

    (1) shall be made not later than 180 
 days after the date of enactment of this Act.
            (c) Terms.--

    (1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph

    (2) , each 
 member of the Advisory Council shall be appointed for a term of 
 3 years.

    (2) Initial appointees.--Of the members first appointed 
 under subsection

    (b)

    (1)
        (H) --
        (A) 5 members shall be appointed for a term of 1 
 year;
        (B) 5 members shall be appointed for a term of 2 
 years; and
            (C) 4 members shall be appointed for a terms of 3 
 years.

    (3) Reappointment.--
        (A) In general.--A member of the Advisory Council 
 may be reappointed, except that no individual may serve 
 on the Advisory Council for a total of more than 2 
 terms.
        (B) Vacancy appointments.--For purposes of 
 subparagraph
        (A) , the number of terms an individual 
 serves on the Advisory Council shall not include any 
 portion of a term for which an individual is appointed 
 to fill a vacancy under paragraph

    (4)
        (B) .

    (4) Vacancies.--
        (A) In general.--A vacancy on the Advisory 
 Council--
            (i) shall not affect the powers of the 
 Advisory Council; and
            (ii) shall be filled in the same manner as 
 the original appointment was made.
        (B) Term.--Any member of the Advisory Council 
 appointed to fill a vacancy occurring before the 
 expiration of the term for which the member's 
 predecessor was appointed shall be appointed for the 
 remainder of that term.
            (d) Duties.--The Advisory Council shall--

    (1) make recommendations to the Secretary on the planning, 
 design, and construction of the Museum;

    (2) advise and assist the Secretary on all matters relating 
 to the administration, operation, maintenance, and preservation 
 of the Museum;

    (3) provide significant opportunities for public input with 
 respect to carrying out the duties under paragraphs

    (1) and

    (2) ; and

    (4) adopt bylaws for the operation of the Advisory Council.

    (e) Compensation.--

    (1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph

    (2) , a 
 member of the Advisory Council shall serve without 
 compensation.

    (2) Travel expenses.--A member of the Council shall be 
 allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of 
 subsistence, at rates authorized for an employee of an agency 
 under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States 
 Code, while away from the home or regular place of business of 
 the member in the performance of the duties of the Advisory 
 Council.

    (f) Meetings.--

    (1) In general.--The Advisory Council shall meet at the 
 call of the chairperson or on the written request of a majority 
 of the members of the Advisory Council, but not fewer than 2 
 times each year.

    (2) Initial meetings.--During the 1-year period beginning 
 on the date of the first meeting of the Advisory Council, the 
 Advisory Council shall meet not fewer than 4 times for the 
 purpose of carrying out the duties of the Advisory Council.

    (g) Quorum.--A majority of the members of the Advisory Council 
shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of conducting business, but a 
lesser number may receive information on behalf of the Advisory 
Council.

SEC. 8. DIRECTOR AND STAFF.

    (a) Director.--

    (1) In general.--The Secretary shall appoint a Director for 
 the Museum, taking into consideration recommendations by the 
 Advisory Council.

    (2) Duties.--The Director of the Museum shall manage the 
 Museum, in accordance with any policies established by the 
 Secretary, in consultation with the Advisory Council.

    (b) Staff.--

    (1) Appointment.--The Secretary may, without regard to the 
 civil service laws, appoint 2 employees to assist the Director 
 of the Museum in carrying out the duties of the Director.

    (2) Compensation.--The employees appointed under subsection

    (b) may be paid without regard to the provisions of chapter 51 
 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of title 5, United States 
 Code.

SEC. 9. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    (a) In General.--Except as provided in subsection

    (b) , there are 
authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this Act--

    (1) $15,000,000 for fiscal year 2025; and

    (2) such sums as are necessary for each fiscal year 
 thereafter.

    (b) Acquisition of Museum Site.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out 

section 5.
            (c) Availability.--Amounts made available under subsections

    (a) and

    (b) shall remain available, without fiscal year limitation, until 
expended.
            (d) Use of Funds.--Amounts made available under this section may be 
used to support the Museum and expand or establish programs that 
promote and preserve the legacy of the African Burial Ground, 
including--

    (1) using amounts made available under this section to 
 raise funds from private sources to support and promote the 
 Museum;

    (2) supporting curriculum development, workshops, and 
 community outreach to deepen public understanding of the 
 historical significance of the African Burial Ground;

    (3) establishing a dedicated visitor's center to provide an 
 immersive educational experience, including interactive 
 exhibits and technology-driven tools to enhance public 
 engagement; and

    (4) ensuring the long-term sustainability of the facilities 
 and organizational objectives of the Museum.
 <all>