101^st CONGRESS                                      H.R. 3863

2ND SESSION

To amend the National Trails System Act to provide for the study and designation of the Underground Railroad Historic Trail.

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IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

January 28, 1990 

Mr. Kostmayer (for himself, Mr. Gray, Mr. Murphy, Mr. Bereuter, Mr. Pease, Mr. Towns, Mr. McDade, Mr. Ackerman, Mr. Foglietta, Mr. Walgren, Mr. Lewis of Georgia, Mr. Yatron, Mr. Markey, and Mrs. Meyers of Kansas) introduced the following bill: which was referred to the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs.

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                                                            A BILL

To amend the National Trails System Act to provide for the study and designation of the Underground Railroad Historic Trail. 

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

SECTION 1. UNDERGROUND RAILROAD HISTORIC TRAIL. 

The National Trails System Act (16 U.S.C. 1241 and following) is amended by adding the following at the end therof: 

TITLE II 

(a) STUDY AND EVALUATION.—The Secretary of the Interior shall conduct a study and evaluation of locations that served as stations along the “Underground Railroad”, the approximate route taken by slaves seeking to escape to freedom from southern States before the conclusion of the Civil War. The study shall include an identification of the structures (or portions thereof) that served as such stations, their historic significance, architectural integrity and physical condition. The study shall also examine the extent to which each such station would enhance public appreciation of the historic significance of the Underground Railroad, the potential for public access to such locations, and the geographical relationship between such stations and other cultural and recreational amenities and areas of related historic significance. The Secretary shall provide an opportunity for public comment on the study to be carried out under this subsection. 

(b) ESTABLISHMENT UNDERGROUND RAILROAD HISTORIC TRAIL.—upon completion of the study under subsection (a), and after consideration of public comment on the results of the study, the Secretary shall designate a route as the Underground Railroad Historic Trail (hereinafter in this section referred to as the “Historic Trail”).

The Historic Trail shall include the public roads linking the significant historic locations identified pursuant to the study conducted under subsection (a). The Secretary may, from time to time, designate additional segments of the Historic Trails, including segments which link sites comprising the Historic Trail with other sites of historic, scenic, cultural, or recreational significance which are open to the public and managed by Federal, State, or local governments, or by nonprofit organizations. 

(c) ASSISTANCE, INFORMATION, AND INTERPRETATION.—Following designation of the Historic Trail, the Secretary shall prepare a plan for interpreting the Historic Trail and for providing information and assistance to enhance recognition, usage, and appreciation of the Historic Trail and the sites which are linked together by the Historic Trail. Pursuant to such plan, the Secretary shall provide technical and financial assistance to State and local governments and to nonprofit organizations to assist in managing, interpreting, and improving public enjoyment, of sites along the Historic Trail and related historic, scenic, cultural, or recreational resources. Such assistance may include assistance with regard to suitable signs, markers, maps, brochures, and other informational devices to assist the public in identifying the locations which are designated as components of the Historic Trail. 

(d) COORDINATING COMMITTEE.—The Secretary shall appoint a Coordinating Committee comprised of representatives of State and local governments and private nonprofit organizations to assist the Secretary in carrying out the study under subsection (a) and to assist in carrying out the other authorities of this section. The Secretary shall consult with the coordinating committee on a regular basis.

(e) EXTENSION INTO CANADA AND MEXICO.—The Secretary shall take such actions as may be necessary, in coordination with the appropriate Canadian and Mexican authorities, to examine the possibility of extending the Historic Trail into Canada and Mexico.  Such actions may include the establishment of such committees or working groups and the conduct of such studies as the Secretary deems necessary for such purposes. 

(f) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section”.   

HR 3863 IH

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