← Back to Bills
H.R. 261House116th Congress (2019-2021)In Committee

To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to annually designate at least one city in the United States as an "American World War II Heritage City", and for other purposes.

Sponsored by David RouzerRep. David Rouzer (R-NC)
Introduced January 4, 2019

AI-Generated Summary

Updated April 14, 2026 at 12:03 AM UTC

The bill lets the Secretary of the Interior name at least one U.S. city each year as an “American World War II Heritage City.” The designation is meant to honor and preserve the city’s contributions to the World II home‑front and its historic sites, museums, and memorials. It applies to any city in a state or U.S. territory that applies and meets the set criteria.

Key Provisions

  • Each year the Secretary may designate at least one city, but no more than one city per state or territory, as an American World II Heritage City.
  • The Secretary must create and publicize an application process for cities to seek the designation and encourage participation.
  • Designations are based on criteria that include the city’s wartime manufacturing, food production, war‑bond drives, civil‑defense activities, military installations, and contributions of local service members.
  • The Secretary, in consultation with the Smithsonian or the National Trust for Historic Preservation, also considers how the city preserves and interprets WWII history through museums, memorials, historic sites, cultural events, and public outreach.

Legislative Activity

Stay on top of the latest movement without scrolling through every action

2 earlier actions
HouseCommittee Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands.

Federal Lands Subcommittee

February 5, 2019

View full timeline
HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

January 4, 2019

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

Natural Resources Committee

January 4, 2019

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands.

Federal Lands Subcommittee

February 5, 2019

Bill Text

Latest available legislative text

Reading Mode
Latest
Raw Text PDF XML
Introduced in HouseIssued January 4, 2019

I

116th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 261

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

January 4, 2019

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

A BILL

To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to annually designate at least one city in the United States as an American World War II Heritage City, and for other purposes.

1.

American World War II Heritage Cities

(a)

Designation

In order to recognize and ensure the continued preservation and importance of the history of the United States involvement in World War II, each calendar year the Secretary of the Interior (referred to in this section as the Secretary) may designate not less than one city located in one of the several States or a territory of the United States as an American World War II Heritage City. Not more than one city in each State or territory may be designated under this section.

(b)

Application for designation

The Secretary shall—

(1)

establish and publicize the process by which a city may apply for designation as an American World War II Heritage City based on the criteria in subsection (c); and

(2)

encourage cities to apply for designation as an American World War II Heritage City.

(c)

Criteria for designation

The Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution or the President of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, shall make each designation under subsection (a) based on the following criteria:

(1)

Contributions by a city and its environs to the World War II home-front war effort, including contributions related to—

(A)

defense manufacturing, such as ships, aircraft, uniforms, and equipment;

(B)

production of foodstuffs and consumer items for Armed Forces and home consumption;

(C)

war bond drives;

(D)

adaptations to wartime survival;

(E)

volunteer participation;

(F)

civil defense preparedness;

(G)

personnel serving in the Armed Forces, their achievements, and facilities for their rest and recreation; or

(H)

the presence of Armed Forces camps, bases, airfields, harbors, repair facilities, and other installations within or in its environs.

(2)

Achievements by a city and its environs to preserve the heritage and legacy of the city’s contributions to the war effort and to preserve World War II history, including—

(A)

the identification, preservation, restoration, and interpretation of World War II-related structures, facilities and sites;

(B)

establishment of museums, parks, and markers;

(C)

establishment of memorials to area men who lost their lives in service;

(D)

organizing groups of veterans and home-front workers and their recognition;

(E)

presentation of cultural events such as dances, plays, and lectures;

(F)

public relations outreach through the print and electronic media, and books; and

(G)

recognition and ceremonies remembering wartime event anniversaries.