Providence Hospital Commemorative Plaque Act
PL 99-325 (H.R.4382), enacted 05/28/1986

PUBLIC LAW 99-325—MAY 28, 1986 
100 STAT. 501 
Public Law 99-325 
99th Congress 
An Act 
To require the Architect of the Capitol to place a plaque at the original site of 
May 28, 1986 
Providence Hospital. 
[H.R. 4382] 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the "Providence Hospital Commemora-
tive Plaque Act". 
SEC 2. PURPOSE. 
The purpose of this Act is to commemorate Providence Hospital 
for providing 125 years of service to the District of Columbia by 
authorizing the placement of a plaque at the original site of the 
Hospital. 
SEC. 3. SPECIFICATIONS FOR AND INSTALLATION OF PLAQUE. 
(a) SPECIFICATIONS.—The Architect of the Capitol is authorized to 
acquire by purchase or donation a plaque that— 
(1) is 36 inches in width and 24 inches in height; 
(2) displays on the left one-third of the plaque a bas-relief of 
Providence Hospital as it existed in 1866; and 
(3) displays on the right two-thirds of the plaque the following 
language in caslon typeface: 
"ORIGINAL SITE OF PROVIDENCE HOSPITAL 
"Providence Hospital was located on this site during the years 
1861 through 1956. Founded in 1861 by the Daughters of Charity of 
Saint Vincent de Paul from Emmitsburg, Maryland, the hospital 
was chartered by an Act of Congress in 1864. 
"During the Civil War, while other hospitals in Washington, D.C., 
were filled with war casualties, Providence Hospital had the special 
mission of providing care primarily to the civilian population. Origi-
nally located in a private home, the hospital moved in 1866 to the 
more permanent quarters illustrated on this plaque. 
"On this site, Providence Hospital opened the area's first surgical 
amphitheater in 1882, inaugurated the first social service department 
in 1894, and opened the first contagious ward in 1898. 
"Providence Hospital moved to its present location at 12th and 
Varnum Streets, NE, in 1956.". 
(b) MOUNTING OF PLAQUE.—The plaque described in subsection (a) 
shall be mounted on a pedestal to be constructed according to such 
specifications as the Architect of the Capitol determines are appro-
priate for carrying out the purposes of this Act. 
(c) INSTALLATION.—Such plaque and pedestal shall be installed by 
the Architect of the Capitol at a location on the original site of 
Providence Hospital that is as near as practicable to the location of 
Providence 
Hospital 
Commemorative 
Plaque Act. 
District of 
Columbia. 
13 Stat. 43. 
100 STAT. 502 
PUBLIC LAW 99-325—MAY 28, 1986 
the main entrance of such hospital as it existed in 1866. If such 
location is required for other purposes by the Congress, the Ar-
chitect of the Capitol may place such plaque on or near any new 
building erected on such site. 
(d) MAINTENANCE.—The Architect of the Capitol shall maintain 
the plaque and pedestal installed under this section aj a part of the 
United States Capitol Grounds. 
SEC. 4. PAYMENT OF EXPENSES. 
(a) AUTHORITY TO ACCEPT GIFTS.—Notwithstanding any other 
provision of law, the Architect of the Capitol is authorized to accept 
and administer on behalf of the Congress gifts and bequests of 
money for the purpose of acquisition, preparation, and installation 
of the plaque and pedestal described in section 3. 
(b) TREATMENT OF GIFTS FOR TAX PURPOSES.—For the purpose of 
Federal income, estate, and gift taxes, any gift or bequest accepted 
by the Architect of the Capitol under this Act shall be deemed to be 
a gift or bequest to or for the benefit of the United States. 
(c) OBLIGATIONS AND EXPENDITURES.—The Architect of the Capitol 
is authorized to incur all obligations and to make all expenditures as 
may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act without 
regard to section 3709 of the Revised Statutes (41 U.S.C. 5). 
(d) ESTABLISHMENT OF ACCOUNT.—All gifts and bequests of money 
received for the purposes of this Act shall be deposited by the 
Architect of the Capitol in a special account established by the 
Secretary of the Treasury and shall be subject to immediate 
disbursement as needed by the Architect in order to carry out this 
Act. 
(e) REPORT.—The Architect of the Capitol shall submit to the 
Congress a final report of the money received and expended by him 
in carrying out this Act. 
SEC. 5. LIMITATIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The United States may not pay any expense of 
the acquisition, preparation, and mounting of the plaque or the 
construction of the pedestal under this Act. 
(b) DONATION OF FUNDS.—The Architect of the Capitol shall carry 
out this Act only if sufficient funds are donated for such purpose. 
Approved May 28, 1986. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.R. 4382: 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 132 (1986): 
May 13, considered and passed House. 
May 14, considered and passed Senate.