Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 112 Part 1.djvu/704

 112 STAT. 678 PUBLIC LAW 105-203-JULY 21, 1998 Public Law 105-203 105th Congress An Act July 21, 1998 To establish within the United States National Park Service the National Under- [H.R. 1635] ground Railroad Network to Freedom program, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of National the United States of America in Congress assembled, Underground Raih-oad SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. FreXmAct of ^his Act may be cited as the "National Underground Railroad 1998. Network to Freedom Act of 1998". 16 USC 461 note. 16 USC 469/. SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES. (a) FINDINGS.— The Congress finds the following: (1) The Underground Railroad, which flourished from the end of the 18th century to the end of the Civil War, was one of the most significant expressions of the American civil rights movement during its evolution over more than three centuries. (2) The Underground Railroad bridged the divides of race, religion, sectional differences, and nationality; spanned State lines and international borders; and joined the American ideals of liberty and freedom expressed in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution to the extraordinary actions of ordinary men and women working in common purpose to free a people. (3) Pursuant to title VI of Public Law 101-628 (16 U.S.C. la-5 note; 104 Stat. 4495), the Underground Railroad Advisory Committee conducted a study of the appropriate means of establishing an enduring national commemorative Underground Railroad program of education, example, reflection, and reconciliation. (4) The Underground Railroad Advisory Committee found that— (A) although a few elements of the Undergroimd Railroad story are represented in existing National Park Service units and other sites, many sites are in imminent danger of being lost or destroyed, and many important resource types are not adequately represented and protected; (B) there are many importeuit sites which have high potential for preservation and visitor use in 29 States, the District of Columbia, and the Virgin Isleuids; (C) no single site or route completely reflects and characterizes the Underground Railroad, since its story and associated resources involve networks and regions of the country rather than individual sites and trails; and

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