Preservation of Historic Sites Act of 2000

Preservation of Historic Sites Act of 2000 is a federal law enacted by the United States Congress and signed into law by Bill Clinton, with the aim of preserving historic sites, such as the Statue of Liberty, Mount Rushmore, and Independence Hall. The law built upon earlier conservation efforts, including the Antiquities Act of 1906 and the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, which were championed by Theodore Roosevelt and Lyndon B. Johnson. The Preservation of Historic Sites Act of 2000 also drew inspiration from international agreements, such as the World Heritage Convention, signed by Richard Nixon in 1972, and the European Convention on the Protection of the Archaeological Heritage, adopted by the Council of Europe in 1969. The law's provisions were influenced by the work of organizations like the National Trust for Historic Preservation, founded by David E. Finley, and the International Council on Monuments and Sites, established by UNESCO.

Introduction

The Preservation of Historic Sites Act of 2000 was introduced in the United States House of Representatives by Rep. James A. Leach, with the support of Sen. Ted Kennedy and Sen. Orrin Hatch. The law's introduction was preceded by a series of hearings and meetings with stakeholders, including the National Park Service, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, and the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works. The law's purpose was to provide a framework for the preservation of historic sites, including those related to the American Civil War, such as Gettysburg National Military Park, and the Civil Rights Movement, such as the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park. The law also recognized the importance of preserving sites related to the history of Native American tribes, such as the Navajo Nation and the Cherokee Nation, and the contributions of notable figures like Frederick Douglass and Harriet Tubman.

Legislative History

The Preservation of Historic Sites Act of 2000 was passed by the United States Senate on October 12, 2000, with the support of Sen. John McCain and Sen. Bob Graham. The law was then sent to the United States House of Representatives, where it was passed on October 26, 2000, with the support of Rep. Nancy Pelosi and Rep. Dennis Hastert. The law was signed into effect by Bill Clinton on November 1, 2000, at a ceremony attended by Vice President Al Gore and Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt. The law's legislative history was influenced by earlier laws, such as the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, signed by Richard Nixon, and the Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979, signed by Jimmy Carter. The law also drew on the expertise of organizations like the National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers, founded by Clement A. Wilz, and the Society for American Archaeology, established by Warren K. Moorehead.

Provisions and Amendments

The Preservation of Historic Sites Act of 2000 established a framework for the preservation of historic sites, including the creation of a National Historic Sites Commission, chaired by the Secretary of the Interior. The law also provided funding for the preservation of historic sites, including grants to State Historic Preservation Offices, such as the California State Historic Preservation Office and the New York State Historic Preservation Office. The law was amended in 2006 by the Preservation of Historic Sites Act Amendments of 2006, signed by George W. Bush, which expanded the law's provisions to include the preservation of historic sites related to the American Revolution, such as Independence Hall and Valley Forge National Historical Park. The law's provisions were also influenced by international agreements, such as the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, adopted by UNESCO in 1972, and the European Landscape Convention, adopted by the Council of Europe in 2000.

Impact and Implementation

The Preservation of Historic Sites Act of 2000 has had a significant impact on the preservation of historic sites in the United States, including the preservation of sites related to the American Civil Rights Movement, such as the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute and the National Civil Rights Museum. The law has also led to the preservation of sites related to the history of Native American tribes, such as the Taos Pueblo and the Hopi Reservation. The law's implementation has been overseen by the National Park Service, which has worked with State Historic Preservation Offices and other stakeholders to identify and preserve historic sites. The law's impact has also been recognized by international organizations, such as ICOMOS and UNESCO, which have praised the law's provisions for preserving historic sites, including those related to the World War II, such as the National World War II Memorial and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.

Criticisms and Controversies

The Preservation of Historic Sites Act of 2000 has been subject to criticisms and controversies, including concerns about the law's funding provisions, which have been criticized by Rep. Rahm Emanuel and Sen. John Kerry. The law has also been criticized for its limitations in preserving historic sites related to the history of African Americans, such as the Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site and the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park. The law's provisions have also been criticized by some Native American tribes, who have argued that the law does not do enough to preserve sites related to their history and culture, such as the Wounded Knee Massacre Site and the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument. Despite these criticisms, the law remains an important framework for the preservation of historic sites in the United States, and its provisions continue to be implemented by the National Park Service and other stakeholders, including the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works.

Category:United States federal legislation