[Pages H1813-H1814]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

GATEWAY VISITOR CENTER AUTHORIZATION ACT OF 1999

Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 449) to authorize the Gateway Visitor Center at Independence
National Historical Park, and for other purposes.
The Clerk read as follows:

H.R. 449

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Gateway Visitor Center
Authorization Act of 1999''.

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 Independence
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 management
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
Secretary 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
administering the Independence National Historical Park, may
enter into an agreement under appropriate terms and
conditions with the Gateway Visitor Center Corporation (a
nonprofit corporation established under the laws of the State
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 Historical Park, its surrounding
historic sites, the city of Philadelphia, and 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
organization, 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
administration of the Center.
(f) Protection of Park.--Nothing in this section authorizes
the Secretary or the Corporation to take any actions in
derogation of

[[Page H1814]]

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 agreement
under this section between the Secretary and the Corporation.
(2) Center.--The term ``Center'' means a Gateway Visitor
Center constructed and operated in accordance with the
Agreement.
(3) Corporation.--The term ``Corporation'' means the
Gateway Visitor Center Corporation (a nonprofit corporation
established under the laws of the State of Pennsylvania).
(4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of the Interior.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Nevada (Mr. Gibbons) and the gentleman from Puerto Rico (Mr. Romero-
Barcelo) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Nevada (Mr. Gibbons).
Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
(Mr. GIBBONS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 449 was introduced by the gentleman
from Pennsylvania (Mr. Borski). Mr. Borski has worked hard on this bill
which will greatly enhance the visitor experience at Independence
National Historical Park.
Mr. Speaker, H.R. 449 is a noncontroversial and bipartisan bill that
would authorize the Gateway Visitor Center at Independence National
Historic Park. This bill authorizes the Secretary 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. The center would provide information,
interpretation, facilities and services for visitors to Independence
National Historical Park, its surrounding historical sites and the City
of Philadelphia.
Mr. Speaker, private and public funds will be used to develop the
visitor center on National Park property, and it is my understanding
that approximately $30 million of private funds have already been
raised and this project is ready to move forward.
Mr. Speaker, this is a great example of how we can incorporate
private enterprise to improve our parks and the experience for our
visitors. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 449.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. ROMERO-BARCELO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, H.R. 449 would authorize the Secretary of the Interior
to enter into a cooperative agreement with the nonprofit Gateway
Visitor Center Corporation to construct and operate a regional visitor
center on National Park Service land within Independence National
Historical Park in Philadelphia. Hearings were held on an identical
bill, on H.R. 4109, last Congress, and that bill was favorably reported
by the Subcommittee on National Parks and Public Lands. Further action
was not taken on the measure prior to adjourning.
Unlike the situation at Gettysburg National Military Park, which is
considered controversial by many, this proposal is supported by all
involved parties. The proposed visitor center is consistent with the
general management plan for the park and has the backing of the NPS,
the City of Philadelphia and other interested parties.
As such, we have no objection to the legislation, and we beseech our
colleagues to vote for this legislation.
Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong
support of H.R. 449 and ask for all Members to support this
legislation. I would like to commend my good friend, Mr. Borski, for
introducing this bill and would like to thank him for his hard work to
bring it to the floor. I would also like to thank Chairman Hansen,
Ranking Member Romero-Barcelo, Chairman Young and Ranking Member Miller
for all their help in bringing this bill to the floor.
Mr. Speaker, Independence Mall is not only the cornerstone of
Philadelphia, it is the cornerstone of democracy. On any day, you can
walk down to Independence Mall and find hundreds of tourists and
schoolchildren visiting the birthplace of the United States. Each year,
more than 3 million people visit the place where we declared our
independence and forged a nation based on individual rights.
But the current visitor facilities at Independence Mall are not
adequate for this many tourists. Mr. Speaker, it is important that we
not only preserve our heritage, but that we keep it accessible to
everyone. This bill authorizes the construction of a new Gateway
Visitor Center, located at Independence National Historical Park, to
provide tourists a convenient, informative and enjoyable visit to the
park and the City of Philadelphia. Through exhibits and displays, the
Center will not only provide an interpretive presentation on the
significance of the Independence National Historical Park, but will
also provide information on other historical and cultural attractions
throughout Philadelphia.
Mr. Speaker, this bill is not only important to Philadelphia, but to
the entire nation as it will keep the site of our independence and the
birthplace of democracy easily accessible to everyone. It is a needed
addition to the Independence Mall area and will serve our country well
in to the next century by preserving and enhancing this national
treasure. I urge a unanimous vote on H.R. 449.
Mr. BORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 449, a bill
to authorize the Gateway Visitors Center at Independence National
Historical Park in Philadelphia.
Every year nearly 5 million visitors come to Philadelphia and
Independence National Historical Park to visit and learn about the
beginnings of this great country and the founding of democracy. I am
proud to represent a portion of the Park which many consider the crown
jewel of the National Park Service. We must do all we can to preserve
the area which houses the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall and is the
birthplace of the Declaration of Independence and Constitution of the
United States.
Independence National Historical Park is currently the subject of a
major renovation project to preserve the park for future generations.
Federal, state, and local leaders are working in unison to address the
ongoing needs of the Park, ensuring its greatness as an American
institution and historical area. The Park Service's completed General
Management Plan documents the vision for the future of the park, and
the Gateway Visitors Center is an integral part of this plan.
H.R. 449 is imperative to the renovation of the Park included in the
National Park's General Management Plan. It is extremely important to
Philadelphia and for those who visit the historical area and experience
its significance in the development of this nation. The present
location of the visitors center is situated in an area with limited
public transit access and on a narrow street. The location for the
proposed Gateway Visitors Center will preserve history while at the
same time improving access and creating a new entrance to the Park. The
Gateway Visitors Center would serve as the region's principal point of
orientation by providing a range of exceptional services and programs,
attracting visitors to the resources offered in and beyond the park.
Mr. Speaker, I am proud to join my colleagues from Pennsylvania who
have worked so hard to see this legislation come to fruition.
Independence National Historical Park houses two of our nations most
prized objects, Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. This bill is
vital to the preservation of these treasured artifacts that represent
the ideas upon which our nation was founded, and is the key to our
nation's history for millions of Americans.
Mr. Romero-Barcelo. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Nevada (Mr. Gibbons) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, H.R. 449.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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