I
108TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
H. R. 2237
To establish within the National Park Service the 225th Anniversary of
the American Revolution Commemorative program, and for other purposes.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
MAY 22, 2003
Mr. HINCHEY (for himself, Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts, Mr. BOEHLERT, Mr.
MCNULTY, and Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia) introduced the following
bill; which was referred to the Committee on Resources
A BILL
To establish within the National Park Service the 225th
Anniversary of the American Revolution Commemorative
program, 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. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘225th Anniversary of
the American Revolution Commemoration Act’’.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds the following:
(1) The American Revolution, inspired by the
spirit of liberty and independence among the inhab-
itants of the original 13 colonies of Great Britain,
was an event of global significance having a pro-
found and lasting effect upon American Government,
laws, culture, society, and values.
(2) The years 2000 through 2008 mark the
225th anniversary of the Revolutionary War.
(3) Every generation of American citizens
should have an opportunity to understand and ap-
preciate the continuing legacy of the American Revo-
lution.
(4) This 225th anniversary provides an oppor-
tunity to enhance public awareness and under-
standing of the impact of the American Revolution’s
legacy on the lives of citizens today.
(5) Although the National Park Service admin-
isters battlefields, historical parks, historic sites, and
programs that address elements of the story of the
American Revolution, there is a need to establish
partnerships that link sites and programs adminis-
tered by the National Park Service with those of
other Federal and non-Federal entities in order to
place the story of the American Revolution in the
broad context of its causes, consequences, and mean-
ings.
(6) The story and significance of the American
Revolution can best engage the American people
through a national program of the National Park
Service that links historic structures and sites,
routes, activities, community projects, exhibits, and
multimedia materials, in a manner that is both uni-
fied and flexible.
(b) PURPOSES.—The purposes of this Act are as fol-
lows:
(1) To recognize the enduring importance of
the American Revolution in the lives of American
citizens today.
(2) To authorize the National Park Service to
coordinate, connect, and facilitate Federal and non-
Federal activities to commemorate, honor, and inter-
pret the history of the American Revolution, its sig-
nificance, and its relevance to the shape and spirit
of American Government and society.
SEC. 3. 225TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE AMERICAN REVOLU-
TION COMMEMORATION PROGRAM.
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of the Interior
(hereinafter in this Act referred to as the ‘‘Secretary’’)
shall establish a program to be known as the ‘‘225th Anni-
versary of the American Revolution Commemoration’’
(hereinafter in this Act referred to as the ‘‘225th Anniver-
sary’’). In administering the 225th Anniversary, the Sec-
retary shall—
(1) produce and disseminate to appropriate per-
sons educational materials, such as handbooks,
maps, interpretive guides, or electronic information
related to the 225th Anniversary and the American
Revolution;
(2) enter into appropriate cooperative agree-
ments and memoranda of understanding to provide
technical assistance under subsection (c);
(3) assist in the protection of resources associ-
ated with the American Revolution;
(4) enhance communications, connections, and
collaboration among the National Park Service units
and programs related to the Revolutionary War;
(5) expand the research base for American Rev-
olution interpretation and education; and
(6) create and adopt an official, uniform symbol
or device for the theme ‘‘Lighting Freedom’s Flame:
American Revolution, 225th Anniversary’’ and issue
regulations for its use.
(b) ELEMENTS.—The 225th Anniversary shall en-
compass the following elements:
(1) All units and programs of the National
Park Service determined by the Secretary to pertain
to the American Revolution.
(2) Other governmental and nongovernmental
sites, facilities, and programs of an educational, re-
search, or interpretive nature that are documented
to be directly related to the American Revolution.
(3) Through the Secretary of State, the partici-
pation of the Governments of the United Kingdom,
France, the Netherlands, Spain, and Canada.
(c) COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS AND MEMORANDA
OF UNDERSTANDING.—To achieve the purposes of this
Act and to ensure effective coordination of the Federal
and non-Federal elements of the 225th Anniversary with
National Park Service units and programs, the Secretary
may enter into cooperative agreements and memoranda of
understanding with, and provide technical assistance to,
the following:
(1) The heads of other Federal agencies,
States, units of local government, and private enti-
ties.
(2) In cooperation with the Secretary of State,
the Governments of the United Kingdom, France,
the Netherlands, Spain, and Canada.