Buffalo Soldiers Commemoration Act of 2003

Bill: 108-s-499
Sponsor: Sen. Landrieu, Mary L. [D-LA]
Introduced: 2003-03-03 in the Senate
Policy area: Commemorations
Subjects: Armed Forces and National Security
Arts, Culture, Religion
Blacks
Cultural property
Economics and Public Finance
Fund raising
Government trust funds
History
Infantry
Louisiana
Military history
Military personnel
Minorities
Monuments and memorials
Museums

Summary:
action_date: 2003-03-03
text: Buffalo Soldier Commemoration Act of 2003 - Authorizes the American Battle Monuments Commission to establish a memorial in New Orleans, Louisiana, to honor the Buffalo Soldiers.
Requires the Director of the Office of Personnel Management to include the Commission on the list of agencies eligible for participation in each Combined Federal Campaign until fund raising for the memorial is concluded. Establishes the Buffalo Soldier Memorial Fund to be used by the Commission to pay the expenses of establishing the memorial.
Authorizes the Commission, one year after the memorial's establishment, to transfer any remaining Fund amounts and responsibility for future operation and maintenance of the memorial to the National Park Service or another appropriate governmental agency or other entity.
action_date: 2003-07-17
text: 
Buffalo Soldiers Commemoration Act of 2003 - Authorizes the American Battle Monuments Commission to establish a memorial to honor the Buffalo Soldiers in or around New Orleans, Louisiana, on land donated for such purpose or on Federal land with the consent of the appropriate land manager.
 
 
 
Directs the Commission: (1) to solicit and accept contributions for the memorial's construction and maintenance; and (2) prior to beginning construction, to enter into an agreement with an appropriate public or private entity to provide for the permanent maintenance of the memorial and to have sufficient funds (or assurance that it will receive sufficient funds) to complete the memorial. Authorizes the Commission to enter into a cooperative agreement with a private or public entity for fundraising purposes. 
Directs the Commission: (1) to maintain an escrow account to pay expenses incurred in constructing the memorial; (2) to deposit into the account any principal and interest by the United States that the Chairman determines has a suitable maturity; and (3) after construction, to transfer account amounts to the entity providing for permanent maintenance of the memorial. Authorizes appropriations.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2003-07-24
text: Executive Comment Requested from Interior.
action_date: 2003-07-24
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on National Parks, Recreation and Public Lands.
action_date: 2003-07-18
text: Referred to the House Committee on Resources.
action_date: 2003-07-18
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2003-07-18
text: Received in the House.
action_date: 2003-07-17
text: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S9605-9618; text as passed Senate: CR S9608; text of measure as reported in Senate: CR S9607-9608)
action_date: 2003-07-17
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S9605-9618; text as passed Senate: CR S9608; text of measure as reported in Senate: CR S9607-9608)
action_date: 2003-07-11
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 200.
action_date: 2003-07-11
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Domenici with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 108-92.
action_date: 2003-07-11
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Domenici with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 108-92.
action_date: 2003-06-25
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2003-06-10
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 108-69.
action_date: 2003-03-03
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (text of measure as introduced: CR S3031-3032)
action_date: 2003-03-03
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3030-3031)
action_date: 2003-03-03
text: Introduced in Senate