Gullah/Geechee Cultural Heritage Act

Bill: 109-hr-694
Sponsor: Rep. Clyburn, James E. [D-SC-6]
Introduced: 2005-02-09 in the House
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Arts, Culture, Religion
Auditing
Black history
Blacks
Boundaries
Citizen participation
Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
Coastal zone
Commerce
Cultural property
Economics and Public Finance
Executive reorganization
Exhibitions
Federal-local relations
Federal-state relations
Florida
Georgia
Government Operations and Politics
Government paperwork
Grants-in-aid
Historic sites
History
Land use
Landowners
Maps
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Minorities
Nature conservation
North Carolina
Planning
Public-private partnerships
Right of property
Signs and signboards
Social life and customs
South Carolina
Tourism

Summary:
action_date: 2005-02-09
text: 
Gullah/Geechee Cultural Heritage Act - Establishes the Gullah/Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor (Heritage Corridor) to: (1) recognize the important contributions made to American culture and history by African-Americans known as the Gullah/Geechee who settled in the coastal counties of South Carolina, North Carolina, Florida, and Georgia; (2) assist State and local governments and public and private entities in South Carolina, North Carolina, Florida, and Georgia in interpreting the story of the Gullah/Geechee and preserving Gullah/Geechee folklore, arts, crafts, and music; and (3) assist in identifying and preserving sites, historical data, artifacts, and objects associated with the Gullah/Geechee for the benefit and education of the public.
 
Establishes the Gullah/Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor Commission to assist Federal, State, and local authorities to develop and implement a management plan for Gullah/Geechee lands and waters. 
 
Requires the Commission to establish one or more Coastal Heritage Centers in the Heritage Corridor in accordance with the Low Country Gullah Culture Special Resource Study and Environmental Impact Study, December 2003, and additional appropriate sites. 

action_date: 2005-03-14
text: 
Gullah/Geechee Cultural Heritage Act - Establishes the Gullah/Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor (Heritage Corridor) to: (1) recognize the important contributions made to American culture and history by African-Americans known as the Gullah/Geechee who settled in the coastal counties of South Carolina, North Carolina, Florida, and Georgia; (2) assist State and local governments and public and private entities in South Carolina, North Carolina, Florida, and Georgia in interpreting the story of the Gullah/Geechee and preserving Gullah/Geechee folklore, arts, crafts, and music; and (3) assist in identifying and preserving sites, historical data, artifacts, and objects associated with the Gullah/Geechee for the benefit and education of the public.
 
Provides that the Heritage Corridor shall be comprised of lands and waters depicted on a map entitled &quot;Gullah/Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor&quot; dated September 2004 and on file at the National Park Service. 
 
Establishes the Gullah/Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor Commission to assist Federal, State, and local authorities to develop and implement a management plan for Gullah/Geechee lands and waters. 
 
Sets forth the duties of the Commission, including the preparation and submission of a management plan to the Secretary of the Interior and annual reporting to the Secretary. Authorizes the Commission to make grants and enter into cooperative agreements with the States of South Carolina, North Carolina, Florida, and Georgia to prepare and implement the management plan. 
 
Provides for technical and financial assistance to the Commission. 
 
Requires the Commission to establish one or more Coastal Heritage Centers in the Heritage Corridor in accordance with the Low Country Gullah Culture Special Resource Study and Environmental Impact Study, December 2003, and additional appropriate sites. 
 
Sets forth protections for private landowners in the Heritage Corridor. 
 
Authorizes appropriations. 
 
Terminates the authorities under this Act 15 years after enactment.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2005-03-15
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2005-03-14
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2005-03-14
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H1383-1385)
action_date: 2005-03-14
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H1383-1385)
action_date: 2005-03-14
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 694.
action_date: 2005-03-14
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H1383-1386)
action_date: 2005-03-14
text: Mr. Jones (NC) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2005-02-18
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on National Parks.
action_date: 2005-02-09
text: Referred to the House Committee on Resources.
action_date: 2005-02-09
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2005-02-09
text: Introduced in House