Battle of Midway National Memorial Study Act

Summary: Battle of Midway National Memorial Study Act - Requires the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the National Park Service and in consultation with the Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the International Midway Memorial Foundation, Inc., and Midway Phoenix Corporation, to study and report to specified congressional committees on the suitability and feasibility of establishing Midway Atoll as a national memorial to the Battle of Midway.  Requires that the report include an inventory of all known facilities and structures of historical significance on Midway Atoll.

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited the ``Battle of Midway National Memorial 
Study Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    The Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) September 2, 1997, marked the 52nd anniversary of the 
        United States victory over Japan in World War II.
            (2) The Battle of Midway proved to be the turning point in 
        the war in the Pacific, as United States Navy forces inflicted 
        such severe losses on the Imperial Japanese Navy during the 
        battle that the Imperial Japanese Navy never again took the 
        offensive against the United States or the allied forces.
            (3) During the Battle of Midway on June 4, 1942, an 
        outnumbered force of the United States Navy, consisting of 29 
        ships and other units of the Armed Forces under the command of 
        Admiral Nimitz and Admiral Spruance, out-maneuvered and out-
        fought 350 ships of the Imperial Japanese Navy.
            (4) It is in the public interest to study whether Midway 
        Atoll should be established as a national memorial to the 
        Battle of Midway to express the enduring gratitude of the 
        American people for victory in the battle and to inspire future 
        generations of Americans with the heroism and sacrifice of the 
        members of the Armed Forces who achieved that victory.
            (5) The historic structures and facilities on Midway Atoll 
        should be protected and maintained.

SEC. 3. PURPOSE.

    The purpose of this Act is to require a study of the feasibility 
and suitability of designating the Midway Atoll as a National Memorial 
to the Battle of Midway within the boundaries of the Midway Atoll 
National Wildlife Refuge. The study of the Midway Atoll and its 
environs shall include, but not be limited to, identification of 
interpretative opportunities for the educational and inspirational 
benefit of present and future generations, and of the unique and 
significant circumstances involving the defense of the island by the 
United States in World War II and the Battle of Midway.

SEC. 4. STUDY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF MIDWAY ATOLL AS A NATIONAL 
              MEMORIAL TO THE BATTLE OF MIDWAY.

    (a) In General.--Not later than six months after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Interior shall, acting 
through the Director of the National Park Service and in consultation 
with the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, the 
International Midway Memorial Foundation, Inc. (hereafter referred to 
as the ``Foundation''), and Midway Phoenix Corporation, carry out a 
study of the suitability and feasibility of establishing Midway Atoll 
as a national memorial to the Battle of Midway.
    (b) Considerations.--In studying the establishment of Midway Atoll 
as a national memorial to the Battle of Midway under subsection (a), 
the Secretary shall address the following:
            (1) The appropriate federal agency to manage such a 
        memorial, and whether and under what conditions, to lease or 
        otherwise allow the Foundation or another appropriate entity to 
        administer, maintain, and fully utilize the lands (including 
        any equipment, facilities, infrastructure, and other 
        improvements) and waters of Midway Atoll if designated as a 
        national memorial.
            (2) Whether designation as a national memorial would 
        conflict with current management of Midway Atoll as a wildlife 
        refuge and whether, and under what circumstances, the needs and 
        requirements of the wildlife refuge should take precedence over 
        the needs and requirements of a national memorial on Midway 
        Atoll.
            (3) Whether, and under what conditions, to permit the use 
        of the facilities on Sand Island for purposes other than a 
        wildlife refuge or a national memorial.
            (4) Whether to impose conditions on public access to Midway 
        Atoll as a national memorial.
    (c) Report.--Upon completion of the study required under subsection 
(a), the Secretary shall submit, to the Committee on Energy and Natural 
Resources of the United States Senate and the Committee on Resources of 
the House of Representatives, a report on the study, which shall 
include any recommendations for further legislative action. The report 
shall also include an inventory of all known past and present 
facilities and structures of historical significance on Midway Atoll 
and its environs. The report shall include a description of each 
historic facility and structure and a discussion of how each will 
contribute to the designation and interpretation of the proposed 
national memorial.

SEC. 5. CONTINUING DISCUSSIONS.

    Nothing in this Act shall be construed to delay or prohibit 
discussions between the Foundation and the United States Fish and 
Wildlife Service or any other government entity regarding the future 
role of the Foundation on Midway Atoll.

            Passed the Senate November 4, 1997.

            Attest:

                                                    GARY SISCO,

                                                             Secretary.