I 
108TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 3471
To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resource 
study of the area at or near the footprints of the former World Trade 
Center towers for possible inclusion in the National Park System to 
commemorate the tragic events of September 11, 2001. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
NOVEMBER 6, 2003
Mr. SHAYS (for himself and Mrs. MALONEY) introduced the following bill; 
which was referred to the Committee on Resources 
A BILL 
To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a 
special resource study of the area at or near the foot-
prints of the former World Trade Center towers for 
possible inclusion in the National Park System to com-
memorate the tragic events of September 11, 2001.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘World Trade Center 
Site Historic Study Act’’. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 
Congress finds as follows:
(1) On September 11, 2001, terrorists hijacked 
four civilian aircraft, causing 2 of them to crash into 
the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New 
York City, a third into the Pentagon, and a fourth 
in rural southwest Pennsylvania. 
(2) On September 11, 2001, more than 3,000 
Americans and citizens of the world were massacred 
in the worst attack against civilians in the United 
States in our Nation’s history. This battle raged in 
the air and on American soil at the World Trade 
Center site, at the Pentagon, and at a field in 
Stonycreek Township, Somerset County, Pennsyl-
vania. 
(3) These attacks destroyed both towers of the 
World Trade Center, as well as adjacent buildings, 
and seriously damaged the Pentagon; and left a cra-
ter in the ground on a field in Stonycreek Township, 
Somerset County Pennsylvania. 
(4) The impact of this human tragedy has and 
continues to be felt by the families of those killed 
and wounded, those who survived, the rescue work-
ers, the Nation and the civilized world. 
(5) In the months since the historic attacks of 
September 11, 2001, millions of people have visited 
the World Trade Center site to honor the dead, to
pay tribute to the heroic actions of those who risked/
and or gave their lives for their fellow Americans 
and to bear witness to the historic World Trade 
Center site. 
(6) The attack on the World Trade Center re-
sulted in great destruction and damage to homes, 
churches, schools, and commercial and retail build-
ings, causing the loss of thousands of jobs and busi-
nesses in Lower Manhattan. 
(7) The World Trade Center site is a symbol of 
our freedom, patriotism, sacrifice, and the American 
spirit. It has an indelible and justified place in 
American history. 
(8) Many are profoundly concerned about the 
future disposition of the World Trade Center site, 
and many citizens, family members, professional or-
ganizations, local businesses and residents, and 
State and local officials have formed coalitions and 
held forums to provide a voice for all interested and 
concerned parties. 
(9) A broad and deep consensus has emerged in 
the United States that the former World Trade Cen-
ter site, and particularly the tower footprints, bear 
a uniquely tragic and transcendent significance in 
our Nation’s history due to the unparalleled events
that took place there; the almost unfathomable num-
ber of innocent lives lost; the extraordinary courage 
and honor shown by so many on that day and in the 
many months following; and the fact that the cir-
cumstances of their death has meant there is almost 
no physical trace of most of the victims. 
(10) The bedrock footprints of the former 
World Trade Center towers are in the area of the 
site where the greatest number of victims lost their 
lives and where the majority of human remains were 
found, and therefore represent the final resting place 
of a majority of the victims. 
(11) It is appropriate that a study be under-
taken to determine the feasibility and suitability of 
establishing a national memorial on the site of, or 
proximate to, the footprints of the former World 
Trade Center towers, to commemorate the inter-
nationally significant events of September 11, 2001 
and the lives lost, for possible inclusion as a unit of 
the National Park System. 
SEC. 3. STUDY AND CRITERIA. 
(a) STUDY.—The Secretary of the Interior (in this 
Act referred to as the ‘‘Secretary’’) shall conduct a study 
of the World Trade Center site in Lower Manhattan, New 
York, to evaluate the national significance of the site and
the suitability and feasibility of establishing the site as a 
unit of the National Park System. 
(b) CRITERIA.—In conducting the study required by 
subsection (a), the Secretary shall use the criteria for the 
study of areas for potential inclusion in the National Park 
System contained in section 8 of Public Law 91–383 (16 
U.S.C. 1a–5; popularly known as the National Park Sys-
tem General Authorities Act). 
SEC. 4. REPORT. 
Not later than 6 months after the date of the enact-
ment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Com-
mittee on Resources of the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the 
Senate a report on the findings of the study and the con-
clusions and recommendations of the Secretary.
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