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S. 56Senate116th Congress (2019-2021)In Committee

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.

Sponsored by Thom TillisSen. Thom Tillis (R-NC)
Introduced January 8, 2019

AI-Generated Summary

Updated April 13, 2026 at 11:56 PM 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 War II home‑front and its ongoing efforts to keep that history alive. It applies to any city in a state or U.S. territory that meets the set criteria.

Key Provisions

  • The Secretary may designate no fewer than one city each calendar year, but only one city per state or territory can receive the honor in a given year.
  • The Secretary must create and publicize an application process for cities that want the designation, and encourage cities to apply.
  • Designations are based on criteria developed with the Smithsonian or the National Trust for Historic Preservation, focusing on (a) the city’s wartime contributions such as manufacturing, food production, war bonds, civil defense, military installations, and volunteer effort, and (b) the city’s work to preserve and interpret World War II history through museums, memorials, events, and public outreach.

Legislative Activity

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1 earlier action
SenateIntro Referral Latest Action

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Energy and Natural Resources Committee

January 8, 2019

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SenateIntro Referral

Introduced in Senate

January 8, 2019

SenateIntro Referral

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Energy and Natural Resources Committee

January 8, 2019

Bill Text

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Introduced in SenateIssued January 8, 2019

II

116th CONGRESS

1st Session

S. 56

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

January 8, 2019

Mr. Tillis introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and 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.