II
111th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 1568
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
August 3, 2009
Mr. Specter (for himself and Mr. Casey) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
A BILL
To assist in the establishment of an interpretive center and museum in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, to protect and interpret the history of the industrialization of the United States.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the
National Museum of Industrial History
Act
.
Findings and purpose
Findings
Congress finds that—
the economic and societal transition of the United States from an agricultural age to an industrial age, and the ongoing transformation of the United States to a postindustrial society, reflect and embody the fundamental spirit and ideals of the United States;
it is crucial that people in the United States have the opportunity to learn—
the history of the industrialization of the United States; and
the impact of industrialization on their way of life;
it is important to preserve the history of industrialization of the United States for future generations;
to ensure the protection, interpretation, and awareness of the history of the industrialization of the United Sates, key structures and artifacts relating to the process of industrialization must be preserved and exhibited in an educational museum;
the site of the former Bethlehem Steel Plant, which is the proposed site of the National Museum of Industrial History, has a particular relevance to the preservation and awareness of the history of industrialization;
on that site—
the Bethlehem Steel Plant began operation in the 1850s;
in 1853, the first commercial zinc production began;
Frederick W. Taylor conducted time and motion studies that became the basis for his principles of modern scientific management;
on June 1, 1887, the modern American defense industry was born when the Navy awarded the first armor plate contract to the Bethlehem Iron Company;
the steel plant produced armor plate for—
the battleships U.S.S. Maine and U.S.S. Texas; and
other battleships, including the U.S.S. Wisconsin;
high-speed tool steel was perfected; and
in 1908, the 48 Grey Mill became the first rolling mill in the United States to produce large wide-flange steel beams; and
the site contains the oldest significant remains of bessemer steel production in the United States.
Purpose
The purpose of this Act is to assist in the establishment of an interpretive center and museum in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania—
to ensure the protection of historical resources relating to industrialization; and
to interpret the impact of industrialization on the history of the United States.
Industrial history interpretive center and museum
Definitions
In this section:
Center
The term Center means the interpretive center and museum to be located on the western end and central core of the former Bethlehem Steel Plant Site in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
Secretary
The term Secretary means the Secretary of the Interior.
Assistance
Not later than 180 days after the date on which funds are first made available to carry out this section, subject to the availability of appropriations, the Secretary shall offer to enter into an agreement with an appropriate entity under which the Secretary shall provide financial assistance to the entity for the development and operation of the Center.
Purposes of Center
The purposes of the Center shall be—
to preserve, display, and interpret historical resources relating to industrialization in the United States; and
to promote other historical and cultural resources in the region of the Center through activities conducted at the Center.
Terms of assistance
Limitations
Covered expenses
Financial assistance provided under this section may be used at the Center only for—
facilities construction;
acquisition of contemporary technology to be used primarily to enhance the presentation of historical information at the Center; and
program development and implementation, including—
educational program development and implementation;
curriculum design and development;
other activities directly relating to providing programs at the Center; and
salaries of staff carrying out any activity described in subclause (I), (II), or (III).
Prohibited expenses
Financial assistance provided under this section shall not be used for—
the acquisition of any item for the museum collection of the Center;
administrative expenses;
the acquisition of technology primarily used for administrative purposes; or
staff salaries for administrative activities, except as provided in subparagraph (A)(iii)(IV).
Matching requirement
The Secretary shall require each party to an agreement under subsection (b) to provide funds from non-Federal sources for the purposes described in subsection (c) in an amount at least equal to the amount provided by the Secretary for those purposes under this section.
Maximum amount; payment schedule
Maximum amount
The total amount of assistance provided by the Secretary under this section shall not exceed $25,000,000.
Payment schedule
In general
The Secretary shall make payments of financial assistance under this section on an annual basis.
Initial payment
The initial payment under this section shall be made not later than 30 days after the date on which an agreement is entered into under subsection (b) by the Secretary and an appropriate entity.
Number of payments
The Secretary shall make not less than 5 annual payments under this section.
Report
In general
For each calendar year during the 5-year period beginning on the date on which funds are first made available to carry out this section, the Secretary shall submit to Congress an annual report describing the implementation by the Secretary of this section.
Contents
Each report under paragraph (1) shall include a description of—
the current status of the development of the Center;
each project and activity funded under this section during the preceding calendar year; and
the unexpended balance, if any, of amounts made available to carry out this section.
Authorization of appropriations
There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary $25,000,000 to carry out this section, to remain available until expended.