Gateway Visitor Center Authorization Act of 1999
PL 106-131 (H.R.449), enacted 12/07/1999

113 STAT. 1678 
PUBLIC LAW 106-131—DEC. 7, 1999 
Public Law 106-131 
106th Congress 
An Act 
Dec. 7, 1999 
To authorize the Gateway Visitor Center at Independence National Historical Park, 
[H.R. 449] 
^^^ ^°^ other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives 
of 
Gateway Visitor 
the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
Authorization 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
Act of 1999 
r~i 
16 use 407m 
This Act may be cited as the "Gateway Visitor Center 
note. 
Authorization Act of 1999". 
16 u s e 407m 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE. 
"°*^' 
(a) FINDINGS.—The Congress finds the following: 
(1) The National Park Service completed and approved 
^In 1997 a general management plan for Independence National 
Historical Park that establishes goals and priorities for the 
park's future. 
(2) The general management plan for 
Independence 
National Historical Park calls for the revitalization of Independ-
ence Mall and recommends as a critical component of the 
Independence Mall's revitalization the development of a new 
"Gateway Visitor Center". 
(3) Such a visitor center would replace the existing park 
visitor center and would serve as an orientation center for 
visitors to the park and to city and regional attractions. 
(4) Subsequent to the completion of the general manage-
ment plan, the National Park Service undertook and completed 
a design project and master plan for Independence Mall which 
includes the Gateway Visitor Center. 
(5) Plans for the Gateway Visitor Center call for it to 
be developed and managed, in cooperation with the Secretary 
of the Interior, by a nonprofit organization which represents 
the various public and civic interests of the greater Philadelphia 
metropolitan area. 
(6) The Gateway Visitor Center Corporation, a nonprofit 
organization, has been established to raise funds for and 
cooperate in a program to design, develop, construct, and 
operate the proposed Gateway Visitor Center. 
(b) PURPOSE.—The purpose of this Act is to authorize the Sec-
retary of the Interior to enter into a cooperative agreement with 
the Gateway Visitor Center Corporation to construct and operate 
a regional visitor center on Independence Mall. 
SEC. 3. GATEWAY VISITOR CENTER AUTHORIZATION. 
(a) AGREEMENT.—The Secretary of the Interior, in admin-
istering the Independence National Historical Park, may enter into 
PUBLIC LAW 106-131—DEC. 7, 1999 
113 STAT. 1679 
an agreement under appropriate terms and conditions with the 
Gateway Visitor Center Corporation (a nonprofit corporation estab-
lished under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania) to 
facilitate the construction and operation of a regional Gateway 
Visitor Center on Independence Mall. 
(b) OPERATIONS OF CENTER.—The Agreement shall authorize 
the Corporation to operate the Center in cooperation with the 
Secretary and to provide at the Center information, interpretation, 
facilities, and services to visitors to Independence National Histor-
ical Park, its surrounding historic sites, the City of Philadelphia, 
£ind the region, in order to assist in their enjoyment of the historic, 
cultural, educational, and recreational resources of the greater 
Philadelphia area. 
(c) MANAGEMENT-RELATED ACTIVITIES.—The Agreement shall 
authorize the Secretary to undertake at the Center activities related 
to the management of Independence National Historical Park, 
including, but not limited to, provision of appropriate visitor 
information and interpretive facilities and programs related to 
Independence National Historical Park. 
(d) 
ACTIVITIES 
OF 
CORPORATION.—The 
Agreement 
shall 
authorize the Corporation, acting as a private nonprofit orgemiza-
tion, to engage in activities appropriate for operation of a regional 
visitor center that may include, but are not limited to, charging 
fees, conducting events, and selling merchandise, tickets, and food 
to visitors to the Center. 
(e) USE OF REVENUES.—Revenues from activities engaged in 
by the Corporation shall be used for the operation and administra-
tion of the Center. 
(f) PROTECTION OF PARK.—Nothing in this section authorizes 
the Secretary or the Corporation to take any actions in derogation 
of the preservation and protection of the values and resources 
of Independence National Historical Park. 
(g) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) AGREEMENT.—The term "Agreement" means an agree-
ment under this section between the Secretary and the Corpora-
tion. 
(2) CENTER.—The term "Center" means a Gateway Visitor 
Center constructed and operated in accordance with the Agree-
ment. 
(3) CORPORATION.—The term "Corporation" means the 
Gateway Visitor Center Corporation (a nonprofit corporation 
established under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsyl-
vania). 
69-194-01-6: QL3Part3 
113 STAT. 1680 
PUBLIC LAW 106-131—DEC. 7, 1999 
(4) SECRETARY.—The term "Secretary means the Secretary 
of the Interior. 
Approved December 7, 1999. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.R. 449: 
HOUSE REPORTS: No. 106-66 (Comm. on Resources). 
SENATE REPORTS: No. 106-68 (Comm. on Energy and Natural Resources). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 145 (1999): 
Apr. 12, considered and passed House. 
Nov. 19, considered and passed Senate.