A bill to authorize and direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study of the feasibility of establishing a unit of the National Park System to interpret and commemorate the origins, development, and progression of jazz in the United States, and for other purposes.
PL 101-499 (S.2846), enacted 11/02/1990

PUBLIC LAW 101-499—NOV. 2,1990 
104 STAT. 1209 
Public Law 101-499 
101st Congress 
An Act 
To authorize and direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study of the 
feasibility of establishing a unit of the National Park System to interpret and 
commemorate the origins, development, and progression of jazz in the United 
States, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SUITABILITY AND FEASIBILITY STUDY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—In order to determine an appropriate means of 
preserving eind interpreting the origins, development and progres-
sion of the music known as jazz, a music that has gained worldwide 
influence and respect and represents this Nation's unique contribu-
tion to the musical arts, the Secretary of the Interior Oiereinafter 
referred to as the "Secretary"), in consultation with the Secretaiy of 
the Smithsonian Institution, shall conduct a study of the suitability 
£uid feasibility of preserving and interpreting the origins of jazz in 
New Orleans, including establishing, or adding to, a unit of the 
National Park System, or providing technical and financial assist-
ance. Such study shall recognize the origins of jazz in New Orleans, 
the city in which the cultural strains that became jazz were fused to 
form this unique American music, and the birthplace of such 
major jazz artists as Jelly Roll Morton, Sidney Bechet, and Louis 
Armstrong. 
Qo) SITES OR STRUCTURES.—(1) The study shall include a determina-
tion as to which sites or structures in New Orleans associated with 
the origin and early history of jazz exhibit the necessary historical 
£md physical integrity to make them suitable and feasible for 
administration, protection, and preservation by the National Park 
System for the use and benefit of the public. Prior to making any 
such determination, the Secretary shall consult with and carefully 
consider the views of affected local citizens and neighborhood 
groups. 
(2) With respect to any such site or structure determined to be 
suitable and feasible, the study shall include an analysis of potential 
management alternatives that involve the participation of public 
and private entities in the preservation of jazz as an American art 
form, including interpretive performances pursuant to cooperative 
agreements with the Secretary. 
(3) In the event appropriate sites or structures cannot be identi-
fied, the study shall also consider and make recommendations 
concerning sites which would serve as an appropriate location to 
commemorate the origins and early history of jazz in New Orleans. 
(c) ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS.—The study shall also include 
recommendations for— 
(1) public outreach programs; 
(2) the establishment of a jazz education center; 
(3) the appropriate Federal role, including through coopera-
tive agreements, in supporting second line bands and in preserv-
Nov. 2, 1990 
[S. 2846] 
Louisiana. 
Historic 
preservation. 
Jelly Roll 
Morton. 
Sidney Bechet. 
Louis 
Armstrong. 
104 STAT. 1210 
PUBLIC LAW 101-499—NOV. 2, 1990 
ing the unique contributions to the development of jazz made by 
neighborhood social and pleasure clubs, including recommenda-
tions for interpretive performances by such clubs and other 
programs to assure that the contributions of such clubs are 
preserved; and 
(4) the need for the preservation and dissemination of 
information about existing public and private archival collec-
tions (with potential alternatives for an appropriate Federal 
role) and possible management alternatives including coopera-
tive agreements with existing public and private facilities and 
institutions. 
SEC. 2. JEAN LAFITTE NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK. 
The study shall also assess and include a recommendation 
concerning the desirability and feasibility of including any site or 
structure identified pursuant to section 1(b) to be managed as a unit 
of the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park. 
SEC. 3. SUBMISSION OF STUDY. 
The Secretary shall submit the study referred to in section 1 to 
the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the United 
States Senate and the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs of 
the United States House of Representatives no later than one year 
Eifter the date funds are made available for such study, together 
with any recommendations for further legislation. 
SEC. 4. PRESERVATION OF JAZZ ADVISORY COMMISSION. 
(a) EsTABUSHMENT OF THE COMMISSION.—There is hereby estab-
lished the Preservation of Jazz Advisory Commission (hereinafter 
referred to as the "Commission"). The Commission shall consist of 
fifteen members who shall be appointed within ninety days after 
enactment of this Act as follows: 
(1) one member to be appointed jointly by the Speaker of the 
United States House of Representatives and the President Pro 
Tempore of the United States Senate; 
(2) the Mayor of the city of New Orleans or the Mayor's 
designee; 
(3) one member who shall have experience in music education 
programs emphasizing jazz, to be appointed by the Secretary 
from among recommendations submitted by the Mayor of New 
Orleans; 
(4) one member who is knowledgeable about tourism, to be 
appointed by the Secretary from among recommendations 
submitted by local business and economic development groups; 
(5) one member to be appointed by the Secretary from among 
recommendations submitted by the producers of the New 
Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival who shall have experience 
in the production of such Festival; 
(6) one member to be appointed by the Secretary from among 
recommendations submitted by representatives of local historic 
preservation groups; 
(7) one member who is a recognized musician with knowledge 
and experience in the development of jazz in New Orleans, to be 
appointed by the Chairman of the National Endowment of the 
Arts; 
(8) one member who is a recognized local expert on the history 
and development of jazz in New Orleans and is familiar with 
PUBLIC LAW 101-499—NOV. 2, 1990 
104 STAT. 1211 
existing local archival materials, to be appointed jointly by the 
Chairman of the National Endowment on the Humanities and 
the Librsirian of Congress; 
(9) three members with recognized expertise in jazz, cultural 
or folklife preservation and interpretation, to be appointed by 
the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution; 
(10) one member to be appointed by the Secretary who shall 
be a resident of the Treme neighborhood of New Orleans; 
(11) one member who shall be selected from recommendations 
submitted by local social and pleasure clubs, to be appointed by 
the Chairman of the National Endowment of the Arts; 
(12) one member to be appointed by the (jovemor of Louisiana 
who shall be a member of the Louisiana State Music Conunis-
sion; and 
(13) the Chairman of the Delta Region Preservation dlommis-
sion who shall serve as an ex officio member of the (])ommission. 
(b) DUTIES OF THE COMMISSION.—The (Commission shall advise the 
Secretary in the preparation of the suitability and feasibility study 
required by section 1, and the views of the Commission members 
shall be included in the study transmitted to the dlongress as 
provided in section 3. 
(c) MEMBERSHIP.—No person who is an employee of the Depart-
ment of the Interior shall be appointed to serve as a member of the 
(Dommission. 
(d) COMPENSATION.—Members of the (Dommission shall serve with-
out compensation. Members of the Commission shall be entitled to 
travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in the 
same manner as persons employed intermittently in government 
service under section 5703 of title 5, United States CJode. 
(e) CHAIRPERSON.—The dlommission shall elect a chairperson from 
among its members. 
(f) QUORUM.—A simple majority of the members of the Commis-
sion shall constitute a quorum. 
(g) MEETINGS.—The Clommission shall meet at least quarterly or 
upon the call of the Chairperson or a majority of its members. 
(h) PuBUC HEARINGS.—The Commission shall hold no less than 
three public hearings in New Orleans to consider the views of the 
public concerning the most appropriate means to commemorate jazz 
in the United States. At least one such hearing shall be held in the 
Treme neighborhood of New Orleans. 
(i) STAFF.—The National Park Service shall provide staff support 
and technical assistance as may be necessary to carry out the 
functions of the Commission. 
(j) TERMINATION OF COMMISSION.—The C!ommission shall termi-
nate 60 days after the transmittal of the report to CJongress. 
104 STAT. 1212 
PUBLIC LAW 101-499—NOV. 2, 1990 
SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be 
necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act. 
Approved November 2, 1990. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S. 2846: 
HOUSE REPORTS: No. 101-879 (Cbmm. on Interior and Insular Affairs). 
SENATE REPORTS: No. 101-469 (Coram, on Energy and Natural Resources). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 136 (1990): 
Sept. 26, considered and passed Senate. 
Oct. 15, considered and passed House, amended. 
Oct. 19, Senate concurred in House amendment.