89–006 

111TH CONGRESS REPORT " ! HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 2d Session 111–589 

PROVIDING FUNDS TO THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS 

TO HIRE VETERANS AND MEMBERS OF THE ARMED 

FORCES TO ASSIST THE CORPS WITH CURATION AND 

HISTORIC PRESERVATION ACTIVITIES, AND FOR OTHER 

PURPOSES 

SEPTEMBER 14, 2010.—Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the 

State of the Union and ordered to be printed 

Mr. OBERSTAR, from the Committee on Transportation and 

Infrastructure, submitted the following 

R E P O R T 

[To accompany H.R. 5282] 

[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office] 

The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, to whom 

was referred the bill (H.R. 5282) to provide funds to the Army 

Corps of Engineers to hire veterans and members of the Armed 

Forces to assist the Corps with curation and historic preservation 

activities, and for other purposes, having considered the same, report favorably thereon with an amendment and recommend that 

the bill as amended do pass. 

The amendment is as follows: 

Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the following: 

SECTION 1. FINDINGS. 

Congress finds the following: 

(1) The Corps of Engineers and other Federal agencies are required to preserve and catalogue artifacts and other items of national historical significance 

that are uncovered during the course of their work. 

(2) Uncatalogued artifacts within the care of Federal agencies are stored in 

hundreds of repositories and museums across the Nation. 

(3) In October 2009, the Corps of Engineers, Center of Expertise for Curation 

and Management of Archeological Collections, used $3,500,000 in temporary 

funds made available in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 

(Public Law 111–5) to begin the Veterans’ Curation Program to employ and 

train Iraq and Afghanistan veterans in archaeological processing. 


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(4) The Veterans’ Curation Program employs veterans and members of the 

Armed Forces in the sorting, cleaning, and cataloguing of artifacts managed by 

the Corps of Engineers. 

(5) Employees of the Veterans’ Curation Program gain valuable work skills, 

including computer database management, records management, photographic 

and scanning techniques, computer software proficiency, vocabulary and writing 

skills, and interpersonal communication skills, as well as knowledge and training in archaeology and history. 

(6) Experience in archaeological curation gained through the Veterans’ 

Curation Program is valuable training and experience for the museum, 

forensics, administrative, records management, and other fields. 

(7) Veterans’ Curation Program participants may assist the Corps of Engineers in developing a more efficient and comprehensive collections management 

program and also may provide the workforce to meet the records management 

needs at other agencies and departments, including the Department of Veterans 

Affairs. 

SEC. 2. TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT FOR VETERANS AND MEMBERS OF ARMED FORCES IN 

CURATION AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION. 

(a) TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT.—The Secretary of the Army, acting through the 

Chief of Engineers, shall develop a Veterans’ Curation Program to hire veterans and 

members of the Armed Forces to assist the Secretary in carrying out curation and 

historic preservation activities. 

(b) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATION.—There is authorized to be appropriated to 

carry out this section— (1) $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2011; 

(2) $6,000,000 for fiscal year 2012; 

(3) $7,000,000 for fiscal year 2013; 

(4) $8,000,000 for fiscal year 2014; and 

(5) $9,000,000 for fiscal year 2015. 

PURPOSE OF THE LEGISLATION

H.R. 5282, as amended, authorizes the Army Corps of Engineers’ 

(Corps) Veterans Curation Program, and allows the Corps to hire 

veterans and members of the Armed Forces to assist the Corps 

with curation and historic preservation activities, and for other 

purposes. 

BACKGROUND AND NEED FOR LEGISLATION

Curation is defined as the long-term, professional management 

and care of all objects, materials, and records recovered as the result of a Federal or non-Federal archeological undertaking. As part 

of the Federal Government’s effort to protect and preserve the nation’s cultural and archeological resources, Federal regulations (notably 36 C.F.R. part 79) require Federal agencies to provide curatorial services to manage and preserve collections according to professional museum and archival practices. 

The following description, excerpted from the Corps’ ‘‘Digest of 

Water Resources Policies and Authorities’’ (EP 1165–2–1), describes 

the role of the Corps in providing curation support for water-resource related projects. 

Cultural resources management is an equal and integral 

component of natural resource management at operating 

Civil Works projects. Further, [the Corps’] traditional view 

of cultural resources as representative of only the non-living and non-renewable components of natural resources as 

discussed under section 101(b) of [the National Environmental Policy Act] is changing. Today, as [the Corps] gains 

greater insights and knowledge of other cultures, [the 

Corps is] realizing that landscape features can have significant cultural significance as well as corresponding ecoVerDate Mar 15 2010 06:25 Sep 15, 2010 Jkt 089006 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR589.XXX HR589

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system values. Thus, it is the policy of the Corps to identify, evaluate, and manage cultural resources that are eligible for listing in, or listed in, the National Register of 

Historic Places. Associated with this policy is the Corps responsibility to ensure that cultural resource management 

activities are consistent with federal laws and regulations 

pertaining to Native American rights, curation and collections management, and the protection of resources from 

looting and vandalism. 

In 2009, the Corps allocated $29.7 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (P.L. 111–5) (Recovery Act) to open 

three Veterans Curation Project (VCP) laboratories throughout the 

nation. The locations of these laboratories are: (1) Augusta, Georgia; (2) Washington, D.C.; and (3) St. Louis, Missouri (at the Mandatory Center of Expertise for the Curation and Management of 

Archaeological Collections (MCX–CMAC)). 

The purpose of these laboratories is to carry out the Corps’ 

curation responsibilities, including cataloging, scanning, and 

photographing records and artifacts, while utilizing and training a 

workforce of disabled or wounded veterans, or veterans who have 

recently-returned from overseas (including tours in Iraq and Afghanistan). The VCP program seeks to impart skills in computer 

databases, digital scanning, digital image capture, and writing 

skills to the veterans while improving the Corps’ management of 

its heritage assets. According to the U.S. Army, the technical skills 

learned by veterans at the laboratories will be transferrable to jobs 

outside the laboratories, including forensic technicians and records 

management. 

H.R. 5282, as amended, provides a permanent authorization for 

the Corps’ VCP, and allows the Corps to meet its dual mission of 

hiring and training of the nation’s veterans, while carrying out its 

legal responsibilities to preserve and protect the nation’s cultural 

heritage. 

SUMMARY OF THE LEGISLATION

Section 1. Findings 

Section 1 sets out the findings for the bill. 

Sec. 2. Training and employment for veterans and members of the 

armed services in curation and historic preservation 

Section 2(a) directs the Secretary of the Army, acting through the 

Chief of Engineers, to develop a Veterans’ Curation Program to 

hire veterans and members of the Armed Forces to assist the Corps 

with its curation and historic preservation activities. 

Section 2(b) authorizes appropriations to implement this program. It authorizes a total of $35 million for fiscal years 2011 

through 2015. 

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY AND COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION

On November 4, 2009, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure held a hearing, entitled ‘‘Recovery Act: Progress Report on Water Infrastructure Investment’’. At this hearing, the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works), Jo-Ellen Darcy, testiVerDate Mar 15 2010 06:25 Sep 15, 2010 Jkt 089006 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR589.XXX HR589

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fied on the use of funds from the Recovery Act to open the first 

VCP laboratory in Augusta, Georgia. 

On May 12, 2010, Representative John Barrow introduced H.R. 

5282. 

On May 26, 2010, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure held a hearing, entitled ‘‘Recovery Act: Progress Report 

on Water Infrastructure Investment’’. At this hearing, the Principal 

Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works), Terrence C. 

Salt, testified on the use of funds from the Recovery Act to open 

the second and third VCP laboratories in Washington, D.C. and St. 

Louis, Missouri. 

On July 29, 2010, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure met in open session to consider H.R. 5282. The Committee adopted by voice vote an amendment in the nature of a substitute. The Committee ordered the bill, as amended, reported favorably to the House by voice vote with a quorum present. 

RECORD VOTES

Clause 3(b) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives requires each committee report to include the total number of 

votes cast for and against on each record vote on a motion to report 

and on any amendment offered to the measure or matter, and the 

names of those members voting for and against. There were no recorded votes taken in connection with consideration of H.R. 5282 

or ordering the bill reported. A motion to order H.R. 5282, as 

amended, reported favorably to the House was agreed to by voice 

vote with a quorum present. 

COMMITTEE OVERSIGHT FINDINGS

With respect to the requirements of clause 3(c)(1) of rule XIII of 

the Rules of the House of Representatives, the Committee’s oversight findings and recommendations are reflected in this report. 

COST OF LEGISLATION

Clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives does not apply where a cost estimate and comparison prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget Office under section 402 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 has been timely 

submitted prior to the filing of the report and is included in the report. Such a cost estimate is included in this report. 

COMPLIANCE WITH HOUSE RULE XIII

1. With respect to the requirement of clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII 

of the Rules of the House of Representatives, and section 308(a) of 

the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the Committee references 

the report of the Congressional Budget Office included in the report. 

2. With respect to the requirement of clause 3(c)(4) of rule XIII 

of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the performance goals 

and objectives of this legislation are to hire and train veterans and 

members of the Armed Forces, while also helping the Corps’ complete its curation and historic preservation activities. 

3. With respect to the requirement of clause 3(c)(3) of rule XIII 

of the Rules of the House of Representatives and section 402 of the 


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Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the Committee has received the 

enclosed cost estimate for H.R. 5282, as amended, from the Director of the Congressional Budget Office: 

U.S. CONGRESS, 

CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE, 

Washington, DC, August 10, 2010. 

Hon. JAMES L. OBERSTAR, Chairman, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, 

House of Representatives, Washington, DC. 

DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: The Congressional Budget Office has prepared the enclosed cost estimate for H.R. 5282, a bill to provide 

funds to the Army Corps of Engineers to hire veterans and members of the Armed Forces to assist the Corps with curation and historic preservation activities, and for other purposes. 

If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be pleased 

to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Aurora Swanson. 

Sincerely, 

ROBERT A. SUNSHINE

(For Douglas W. Elmendorf, Director). 

Enclosure. 

H.R. 5282—A bill to provide funds to the Army Corps of Engineers 

to hire veterans and members of the Armed Forces to assist the 

Corps with curation and historic preservation activities, and for 

other purposes 

Summary: H.R. 5282 would authorize appropriations totaling $35 

million over the 2011–2015 period for the Corps of Engineers to develop a program to hire veterans to assist the Corps with its 

curation and historic preservation activities. Assuming appropriation of authorized amounts, CBO estimates that implementing H.R. 

5282 would cost $32 million over the 2011–2015 period. Enacting 

the legislation would not affect direct spending or revenues; therefore, pay-as-you-go procedures do not apply. 

H.R. 5282 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA) 

and would not affect the budgets of state, local, or tribal governments. 

Estimated cost to the Federal Government: The estimated budgetary impact of H.R. 5282 is shown in the following table. The costs 

of this legislation fall within budget function 300 (natural resources 

and environment). 

By fiscal year, in millions of dollars— 

2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 

CHANGES IN SPENDING SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATION 

Authorization Level ............................................................................................. 5 6 7 8 9 35 

Estimated Outlays .............................................................................................. 3 5 7 8 9 32 

Basis of estimate: For this estimate, CBO assumes that H.R. 

5282 will be enacted near the beginning of fiscal year 2011 and 

that the funds will be appropriated in the year they are authorized. 

CBO estimates that implementing H.R. 5282 would cost $32 million over the 2011–2015 period. Estimated outlays are based on information provided by the Bureau of Reclamation. 


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lion over the 2011–2015 period. Estimated outlays are based on information provided by the Bureau of Reclamation. 

Pay-as-you-go considerations: None. 

Intergovernmental and private-sector impact: H.R. 5282 contains 

no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined in 

UMRA and would not affect the budgets of state, local, or tribal 

governments. 

Estimate prepared by: Federal Costs: Aurora Swanson; Impact 

on State, Local, and Tribal Governments: Melissa Merrell; Impact 

on the Private Sector: Amy Petz. 

Estimate approved by: Theresa Gullo, Deputy Assistant Director 

for Budget Analysis. 

COMPLIANCE WITH HOUSE RULE XXI

Pursuant to clause 9 of rule XXI of the Rules of the House of 

Representatives, the Committee is required to include a list of congressional earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits, 

as defined in clause 9(e), 9(f), and 9(g) of rule XXI of the Rules of 

the House of Representatives. H.R. 5282, as amended, does not 

contain any earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits under clause 9(e), 9(f), or 9(g) of rule XXI. 

CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY STATEMENT

Pursuant to clause 3(d)(1) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House 

of Representatives, committee reports on a bill or joint resolution 

of a public character shall include a statement citing the specific 

powers granted to the Congress in the Constitution to enact the 

measure. The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure 

finds that Congress has the authority to enact this measure pursuant to its powers granted under article I, section 8 of the Constitution. 

FEDERAL MANDATES STATEMENT

The Committee adopts as its own the estimate of Federal mandates prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget Office 

pursuant to section 423 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act 

(P.L. 104–4). 

PREEMPTION CLARIFICATION

Section 423 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 requires the 

report of any Committee on a bill or joint resolution to include a 

statement on the extent to which the bill or joint resolution is intended to preempt state, local, or tribal law. The Committee states 

that H.R. 5282, as amended, does not preempt any state, local, or 

tribal law. 

ADVISORY COMMITTEE STATEMENT

No advisory committees within the meaning of section 5(b) of the 

Federal Advisory Committee Act are created by this legislation. 

APPLICABILITY TO THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

The Committee finds that the legislation does not relate to the 

terms and conditions of employment or access to public services or 


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accommodations within the meaning of section 102(b)(3) of the Congressional Accountability Act (P.L. 104–1). 

CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW MADE BY THE BILL, AS REPORTED

H.R. 5282, as amended, makes no changes in existing law. 

Æ 


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