I 
109TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. R. 360
To provide for the preservation of the historic confinement sites where Japa-
nese Americans were detained during World War II, and for other 
purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JANUARY 25, 2005
Mr. THOMAS introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
Committee on Resources 
A BILL 
To provide for the preservation of the historic confinement 
sites where Japanese Americans were detained during 
World War II, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. PRESERVATION OF HISTORIC CONFINEMENT 
SITES. 
(a) PRESERVATION PROGRAM.—The Secretary shall 
create a program within the National Park Service to en-
courage, support, recognize, and work in partnership with 
citizens, other Federal agencies, State, local, and tribal 
governments, other public entities, educational institu-
tions, and private nonprofit organizations for the purpose 
of identifying, researching, evaluating, interpreting, pro-
tecting, restoring, repairing, and acquiring historic con-
finement sites in order that present and future genera-
tions may learn and gain inspiration from these sites and 
that these sites will demonstrate the Nation’s commitment 
to equal justice under the law. 
(b) GRANTS.—The Secretary shall make grants to 
citizens, State, local, and tribal governments, other public 
entities, educational institutions, and private nonprofit or-
ganizations to assist in carrying out the actions described 
in subsection (a). 
SEC. 2. ADVISORY COMMISSION. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established an advi-
sory commission to be known as the Advisory Commission 
to Preserve World War II Historic Confinement Sites. 
(b) DUTIES.—The Advisory Commission shall pro-
vide guidance to the Secretary with respect to the imple-
mentation and administration of section 1. Such guidance 
shall include recommending measures to encourage public 
involvement in the actions described in section 1(a), rec-
ommending priorities for the administration of grants de-
scribed in section 1(b), and reviewing and making rec-
ommendations with respect to proposals for grants sub-
mitted pursuant to section 1(b).
(c) MEMBERSHIP.—The Advisory Commission shall 
be composed of 21 members appointed by the Secretary 
and shall include former internees, local residents, rep-
resentatives of Native American groups, and members of 
the general public. Each member shall be appointed for 
a term of 2 years. A member may serve after the expira-
tion of that member’s term until a successor has taken 
office. 
(d) CHAIRPERSON.—The members of the Advisory 
Commission shall designate one of the members as Chair-
person. 
(e) MEETINGS.—The Advisory Commission shall 
meet at least once during each fiscal year. Notice of Advi-
sory Commission meetings shall be published in local 
newspapers. Advisory Commission meetings shall be held 
at such locations and in such a manner as to ensure ade-
quate public involvement. 
(f) COMPENSATION.—Members of the Advisory Com-
mission shall serve without compensation, but while en-
gaged in official business of the Advisory Commission shall 
be entitled to travel expenses, including per diem in lieu 
of subsistence, in accordance with applicable provisions 
under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States 
Code.
(g) TERMINATION.—Section 14 of the Federal Advi-
sory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.; relating to the termi-
nation of advisory committees) shall not apply to the Advi-
sory Commission. 
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS. 
For purposes of this Act—
(1) the term ‘‘Advisory Commission’’ means the 
Advisory Commission to Preserve World War II His-
toric Confinement Sites established in section 2; 
(2) the term ‘‘historic confinement sites’’ 
means—
(A) the 10 internment camp sites referred 
to as Gila River, Granada, Heart Mountain, Je-
rome, Manzanar, Minidoka, Poston, Rohwer, 
Topaz, and Tule Lake and depicted in Figures 
4.1, 5.1, 6.1, 7.1, 8.4, 9.2, 10.6, 11.2, 12.2, 
and 13.2, respectively, in ‘‘Confinement and 
Ethnicity: An Overview of World War II Japa-
nese American Relocation Sites’’, published by 
the Western Archeological and Conservation 
Center, National Park Service, in 1999; and 
(B) other historically significant locations, 
as determined by the Secretary, where Japanese 
Americans were detained during World War II; 
and
(3) the term ‘‘Secretary’’ means the Secretary 
of the Interior. 
SEC. 4. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Sec-
retary such sums as may be necessary for the purpose of 
carrying out this Act. Such sums shall remain available 
until expended.
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