H.R. 360 – Reading Mode

109th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 360

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

January 25, 2005

Mr. Thomas introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Resources

A BILL

To provide for the preservation of the historic confinement sites where Japanese Americans were detained during World War II, and for other purposes.

Preservation of historic confinement sites

(a)

Preservation program

The Secretary shall create a program within the National Park Service to encourage, support, recognize, and work in partnership with citizens, other Federal agencies, State, local, and tribal governments, other public entities, educational institutions, and private nonprofit organizations for the purpose of identifying, researching, evaluating, interpreting, protecting, restoring, repairing, and acquiring historic confinement sites in order that present and future generations may learn and gain inspiration from these sites and that these sites will demonstrate the Nation’s commitment to equal justice under the law.

(b)

Grants

The Secretary shall make grants to citizens, State, local, and tribal governments, other public entities, educational institutions, and private nonprofit organizations to assist in carrying out the actions described in subsection (a).

Advisory commission

(a)

Establishment

There is established an advisory commission to be known as the Advisory Commission to Preserve World War II Historic Confinement Sites.

(b)

Duties

The Advisory Commission shall provide guidance to the Secretary with respect to the implementation and administration of section 1. Such guidance shall include recommending measures to encourage public involvement in the actions described in section 1(a), recommending priorities for the administration of grants described in section 1(b), and reviewing and making recommendations with respect to proposals for grants submitted pursuant to section 1(b).

(c)

Membership

The Advisory Commission shall be composed of 21 members appointed by the Secretary and shall include former internees, local residents, representatives of Native American groups, and members of the general public. Each member shall be appointed for a term of 2 years. A member may serve after the expiration of that member’s term until a successor has taken office.

(d)

Chairperson

The members of the Advisory Commission shall designate one of the members as Chairperson.

(e)

Meetings

The Advisory Commission shall meet at least once during each fiscal year. Notice of Advisory Commission meetings shall be published in local newspapers. Advisory Commission meetings shall be held at such locations and in such a manner as to ensure adequate public involvement.

(f)

Compensation

Members of the Advisory Commission shall serve without compensation, but while engaged in official business of the Advisory Commission shall be entitled to travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with applicable provisions under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code.

(g)

Termination

Section 14 of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.; relating to the termination of advisory committees) shall not apply to the Advisory Commission.

Definitions

For purposes of this Act—

(1)

the term Advisory Commission means the Advisory Commission to Preserve World War II Historic Confinement Sites established in section 2;

(2)

the term historic confinement sites means—

(A)

the 10 internment camp sites referred to as Gila River, Granada, Heart Mountain, Jerome, Manzanar, Minidoka, Poston, Rohwer, Topaz, and Tule Lake and depicted in Figures 4.1, 5.1, 6.1, 7.1, 8.4, 9.2, 10.6, 11.2, 12.2, and 13.2, respectively, in Confinement and Ethnicity: An Overview of World War II Japanese American Relocation Sites, published by the Western Archeological and Conservation Center, National Park Service, in 1999; and

(B)

other historically significant locations, as determined by the Secretary, where Japanese Americans were detained during World War II; and

(3)

the term Secretary means the Secretary of the Interior.

Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary such sums as may be necessary for the purpose of carrying out this Act. Such sums shall remain available until expended.