[106th Congress Public Law 131] [From the U.S. Government Printing Office] <DOC> [DOCID: f:publ131.106] [[Page 1677]] GATEWAY VISITOR CENTER AUTHORIZATION ACT OF 1999 [[Page 113 STAT. 1678]] Public Law 106-131 106th Congress An Act To authorize the Gateway Visitor Center at Independence National Historical Park, and for other purposes. <<NOTE: Dec. 7, 1999 - [H.R. 449]>> Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, <<NOTE: Gateway Visitor Center Authorization Act of 1999.>> SECTION 1. <<NOTE: 16 USC 407m note.>> SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Gateway Visitor Center Authorization Act of 1999''. SEC. 2. <<NOTE: 16 USC 407m note.>> 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 [[Page 113 STAT. 1679]] an agreement under appropriate terms and conditions with the Gateway Visitor Center Corporation (a nonprofit corporation established under the laws of the Commonwealth 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 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 Commonwealth of Pennsylvania). [[Page 113 STAT. 1680]] (4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of the Interior. Approved December 7, 1999. LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--H.R. 449: --------------------------------------------------------------------------- HOUSE REPORTS: No. 106-66 (Comm. on Resources). SENATE REPORTS: No. 106-68 (Comm. on Energy and Natural Resources). CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 145 (1999): Apr. 12, considered and passed House. Nov. 19, considered and passed Senate. <all>