H.R. 2477 — National African-American Heritage Memorial Museum Act

 
HR 2477 IH
101st CONGRESS
1st Session
 H. R. 2477
To authorize the establishment of the National African-American Heritage
Memorial Museum within the Smithsonian Institution.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
May 24, 1989
Mr. LELAND introduced the following bill; which was referred jointly to the
Committees on Public Works and Transportation and House Administration
A BILL
To authorize the establishment of the National African-American Heritage
Memorial Museum within the Smithsonian Institution.
  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 `National African-American Heritage Memorial
  Museum Act'.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.
  (a) FINDINGS- The Congress finds that--
  (1) the presentation and preservation of African-American history and culture
  within the National Park System and other Federal agencies is inadequate;
  (2) the inadequate presentation and preservation of African-American
  history and culture seriously restricts the ability of the people of the
  United States, particularly African-Americans, to understand themselves
  and their past;
  (3) African-American history includes the varied experiences of Africans
  in slavery and freedom and the continued struggles for full recognition
  of citizenship and treatment with human dignity;
  (4) in enacting Public Law 99-511, the Congress encouraged support for the
  establishment of a commemorative structure within the National Park System,
  or on other Federal lands, dedicated to the promotion of understanding,
  knowledge, opportunity, and equality for all people;
  (5) the establishment of a national memorial museum and the conducting
  of interpretive and educational programs, dedicated to the heritage and
  culture of African-Americans, will help to inspire and educate the people
  of the United States regarding the cultural legacy of African-Americans
  and the contributions made by African-Americans to the society of the
  United States; and
  (6) the Smithsonian Institution employs thousands of individuals and operates
  14 museums and galleries and 5 major research facilities, but only 1 of
  its institutions is devoted solely to African-American art or history.
  (b) PURPOSE- The purpose of this Act is to establish the National
  African-American Heritage Memorial Museum to provide--
  (1) a center for scholarship relating to African-American history and
  culture;
  (2) a location for permanent and temporary exhibits documenting
  African-American history and culture;
  (3) a location for the collection and study of artifacts and documents
  relating to African-American history and culture; and
  (4) a location for various special events relating to African-American
  history and culture.
SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT OF NATIONAL AFRICAN-AMERICAN HERITAGE MEMORIAL MUSEUM.
  (a) CONSTRUCTION- The Board of Trustees of the National African-American
  Heritage Memorial Museum, established in section 6(a), shall provide for
  the design and construction of a building to be known as the National
  African-American Heritage Memorial Museum. The design and construction of
  the building shall be carried out as follows:
  (1) PREPARATION OF ARCHITECTURAL PLANS- The Board shall provide for
  the preparation of architectural and engineering designs, plans, and
  specifications. The Memorial Museum shall be at least 377,000 square feet
  in size. The designs, plans, and specifications shall be approved by the
  National Capital Planning Commission before construction begins.
  (2) SITE- The Memorial Museum shall be constructed and permanently located
  in Washington, District of Columbia. The specific site of the Memorial
  Museum shall be determined by the Board and approved by the National Capital
  Planning Commission and shall be chosen from among available lands of the
  National Park Service on the Mall in Washington, District of Columbia,
  and any other available Federal lands in Washington, District of Columbia.
  (b) ADMINISTRATION AND MAINTENANCE- The Board shall maintain and administer
  the Memorial Museum and shall provide for the proper upkeep of the materials
  of the Memorial Museum.
  (c) SCOPE OF OPERATION OF MEMORIAL MUSEUM- The Board shall operate the
  Memorial Museum as a center and location for education, research, events,
  and collection and display of items and materials relating to the historical,
  cultural, economic, political, and other aspects of the scope of experiences
  of African-Americans.
  (d) ACQUISITION, EXHIBITION, AND DISPOSAL OF MATERIALS- The Board shall
  collect, preserve, and regularly exhibit materials of artistic, historic,
  literary, socioeconomic, and cultural interest and other items relating to
  the history and culture of African-Americans. The Board shall provide that
  the exhibition and presentation of such materials is sufficiently expansive
  in scope to present the full history and legacy of African-Americans. In
  performing its duties under this subsection, the Board may engage in the
  following activities:
  (1) ACQUISITION- Purchasing, accepting, borrowing, or otherwise acquiring
  materials, for the Memorial Museum. Any gifts, bequests, or devises accepted
  by the Board shall be the property of the Board.
  (2) MAINTENANCE AND DISPOSAL- Preserving, maintaining, restoring, loaning,
  exchanging, selling, or otherwise disposing of the materials it acquires,
  unless otherwise restricted by the terms of any gift, bequest, or devise.
  (3) TRANSFER OF FEDERAL HOLDINGS- Requesting the Board of Regents of the
  Smithsonian Institution and any other agency of the Federal Government to
  transfer or loan materials, as appropriate, to the Memorial Museum.
  (e) DIRECTOR AND STAFF- The Board shall appoint and fix the compensation
  and duties of a Director, Assistant Director, Secretary, and Chief Curator
  of the Memorial Museum and any other officers and employees necessary
  for the operation of the Memorial Museum and carrying out the duties of
  the Board. The Director, Assistant Director, Secretary, and Chief Curator
  shall be qualified through experience and training to perform the duties
  of their offices.
SEC. 4. PROGRAMS AND OPERATION OF MEMORIAL MUSEUM.
  (a) EDUCATION AND PRESERVATION PROGRAMS- The Board of Trustees of
  the National African-American Heritage Memorial Museum shall, with
  the assistance and cooperation of the National Council for Education
  and Economic Development, Incorporated, establish programs through the
  Memorial Museum and other appropriate organizations and institutions
  (including historically black colleges and universities), for the following:
  (1) EDUCATION AND INTERPRETATION- Education and promotion of understanding
  regarding the life and culture of African-Americans and the role of
  African-Americans in the history of the United States.
  (2) RESEARCH REGARDING AFRICAN-AMERICANS- Research and scholarship relating
  to the history and culture of African-Americans.
  (3) RESEARCH OF HOLDINGS- Research and scholarship relating to the property
  and holdings of the Memorial Museum.
  (4) EXHIBITIONS- The exhibition and circulation of materials relating to
  the heritage and culture of African-Americans.
  (b) NATIONAL TRUST FOR AFRICAN-AMERICAN MUSEUMS- The Board shall, in
  cooperation with and with the participation of the African-American Museum
  Association and the Council, establish a national trust for African-American
  museums. The purpose of the trust shall be to (1) ensure the preservation
  of African-American patrimony and culture, (2) develop programs to enhance
  the care and management of collections of the trust and other museums, (3)
  train and develop professionals and paraprofessionals for African-American
  museums, (4) provide information and education for the public regarding the
  contributions of African-Americans to the history of the United States,
  and (5) acquire and collect items relating to African-American history
  and culture.
  (c) AFFILIATE PROGRAM-
  (1) ESTABLISHMENT- The Board shall, in cooperation with and with the ongoing
  assistance and participation of the African-American Museum Association,
  sponsor, coordinate, and administer programs for museums throughout the
  United States relating to African-American heritage and culture, and shall
  establish a program by which museums and institutions may become affiliated
  with the National African-American Heritage Memorial Museum for the purpose
  of the following:
  (A) PROGRAM PARTICIPATION- Participation in programs under subsection (a).
  (B) EXCHANGE- Exchange of knowledge, materials, and personnel and exhibition
  of the holdings of the Memorial Museum in locations other than the Memorial
  Museum.
  (C) COORDINATION OF ACTIVITIES- Coordination of other activities of the
  affiliated museums and institutions to educate the people of the United
  States regarding the culture and heritage of African-Americans.
  (2) USE OF NAME OF NATIONAL MUSEUM- The Board shall determine the
  circumstances under which an institution or a museum affiliated with the
  National African-American Heritage Memorial Museum under this subsection
  may use the name of the Memorial Museum in connection with the affiliated
  institution or museum.
  (3) SCHOMBURG CENTER FOR STUDY OF AFRO-AMERICAN LIFE AND HISTORY- The Board
  may make agreements and coordinate programs for cooperative research and
  other activities to promote the purpose of this Act with the Schomburg
  Center for Study of African-American Life and History in New York and
  other similar entities. The Schomburg Center may become an affiliated
  institution in the manner provided under this subsection.
  (d) ADVISORY COMMITTEE- The Board may provide for a committee to advise
  the Board on matters relating to the Memorial Museum, as follows:
  (1) QUALIFICATIONS- A committee under this subsection shall be composed of
  individuals who are recognized in their professions for their knowledge
  of, experience with, or interest in aspects of African-American history
  or culture.
  (2) NON-FEDERAL STATUS AND EXPENSES- Members of a committee under this
  subsection shall not be considered officers or employees of the Federal
  Government by reason of their service on the committee. Members of the
  committee shall serve without compensation, but may receive reimbursement
  for travel, subsistence, and other expenses as determined by the Board.
SEC. 5. AUTHORITY OF NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR EDUCATION AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
  (a) MANAGEMENT OF MEMORIAL MUSEUM FUNDS BEFORE APPOINTMENT OF BOARD-
  Before the appointment of the Board of Trustees of the National African-
  American Heritage Memorial Museum under section 6(a), the National Council
  for Education and Economic Development, Incorporated, may solicit, accept,
  hold, and administer gifts, bequests, and devises of money, securities,
  and other property of any character for the benefit of the Memorial
  Museum. Unless otherwise restricted by the terms of the gift, bequest or
  devise, the Council is authorized to sell, exchange, and invest the money,
  securities, and other property for the benefit of the Memorial Museum,
  as the Council determines appropriate. Any income shall be deposited when
  collected, in the manner the Council determines appropriate and may be
  expended by the Council to further the purposes of this Act and for the
  liquidation of any debt incurred in furthering such purposes.
  (b) TRANSFER OF FUNDS TO BOARD- As soon as practicable after the appointment
  of the Board under section 6(a), the Council shall transfer to the Board
  any money, securities, and other property held or deposited by the Council,
  and any earnings under subsection (a) on such property. The Board shall
  use the property to further the purposes of this Act.
  (c) REIMBURSEMENT OF DEBT- The Board shall reimburse the Council for any
  debts incurred by the Council under this Act.
  (d) REQUESTED ASSISTANCE- The Board may request the Council to provide
  the following assistance to the Board:
  (1) ADVICE- Advice with regard to the Memorial Museum.
  (2) FUNDRAISING- Assistance in soliciting donations for the benefit of the
  Memorial Museum and holding such donations until they can be transferred
  to the Board.
SEC. 6. BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF MEMORIAL MUSEUM.
  (a) ESTABLISHMENT AND APPOINTMENT- There is established in the Smithsonian
  Institution a bureau, which shall be directed by a board to be known as
  the Board of Trustees of the National African-American Heritage Memorial
  Museum. The Board shall be composed of 19 members, appointed by the
  President, as follows:
  (1) SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR- The Secretary of the Interior.
  (2) MEMBER OF SMITHSONIAN BOARD OF REGENTS- 1 individual who is a member
  of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution.
  (3) RECOMMENDATIONS OF SPEAKER OF HOUSE- 3 individuals from a list of 6
  individuals recommended by the Speaker of the House of Representatives
  who are knowledgable or active with respect to African-American history
  or culture.
  (4) RECOMMENDATIONS OF PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE OF SENATE- 3 individuals from
  a list of 6 individuals recommended by the President pro tempore of the
  Senate who are knowledgable or active with respect to African-American
  history or culture.
  (5) MEMBERS OF NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR EDUCATION AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT,
  INCORPORATED- 7 individuals who are members of the National Council for
  Education and Economic Development, Incorporated.
  (6) RECOMMENDATIONS OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN MUSEUM ASSOCIATION- 4 individuals
  who are recommended by the Board of the African-American Museum Association.
  (b) TERMS-
  (1) IN GENERAL- Except as provided in paragraph (2), members of the Board
  shall be appointed for terms of 4 years. Members may be reappointed.
  (2) STAGGERED TERMS- The terms of 7 of the members initially appointed
  under paragraphs (3) through (5) of subsection (a), as designated by the
  President at the time of appointment, shall expire at the end of the 2-year
  period beginning on the day of appointment.
  (c) VACANCIES- A vacancy on the Board shall not affect its powers and shall
  be filled in the manner in which the original appointment was made. Any
  member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring before the expiration of
  the term for which the predecessor of the member was appointed shall be
  appointed for the remainder of the term.
  (d) NONCOMPENSATION- Except as provided in subsection (e), members of the
  Board shall serve without pay.
  (e) PER DIEM- While away from their homes or regular places of business
  in performance of the duties of the Board of Trustees, members of the
  Board shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of
  subsistence, in the same manner as persons employed intermittently in the
  Government service are allowed expenses under section 5703 of title 5,
  United States Code.
  (f) CHAIRPERSON- The Board shall elect a chairperson by a majority of the
  members of the Board.
  (g) BYLAWS- The Board of Trustees may adopt any bylaws and regulations
  necessary to carry out its duties under this Act.
  (h) MEETINGS- The Board of Trustees shall meet at the call of the chairperson
  or upon the written request of a majority of its members, but shall meet
  not less than 2 times each year.
  (i) QUORUM- A majority of the Board shall constitute a quorum for purposes
  of conducting business, but a lesser number may receive information on
  behalf of the Board.
SEC. 7. REPORTS AND AUDITS.
  (a) REPORTS- The Board shall submit annually to the Congress and the
  President a report regarding its activities and operations relating to the
  Memorial Museum, including a detailed statement of any public or private
  funds received and disbursed under this Act.
  (b) AUDITS BY GAO- The General Accounting Office shall review and audit
  the accounts of the Board and the Council annually and shall report to
  the Congress the findings of the audits, together with any recommendations
  regarding the ability of the Memorial Museum to fulfill current and future
  obligations.
SEC. 8. DEFINITIONS.
  For purposes of this Act--
  (1) BOARD- The term `Board' means the Board of Trustees of the National
  African-American Heritage Memorial Museum established in section 6(a).
  (2) COUNCIL- The term `Council' means the National Council for Education
  and Economic Development, Incorporated.
  (3) MEMORIAL MUSEUM- The term `Memorial Museum' means the National
  African-American Heritage Memorial Museum established under section 3.
SEC. 9. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
  There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act $5,000,000
  for fiscal year 1990 and such sums as may be necessary for succeeding
  fiscal years.
National African-American Heritage Memorial Museum Act

Sponsors

Subjects

Summary

Full Text

Legislative Actions

Ask about this bill
