African Burial Ground International Memorial Museum and Educational Center Study Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 1567
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Public Lands and Natural Resources
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-02-25: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- Last Updated
- 2025-12-05T22:56:04Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
This bill, titled the "African Burial Ground International Memorial Museum and Educational Center Study Act," directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study evaluating the suitability and feasibility of creating a museum and educational center at the African Burial Ground National Monument in New York City. The goal is to honor enslaved Africans buried there, educate on the history of slavery and African cultural contributions, and promote international awareness of the African diaspora (the global spread of African people and cultures due to the slave trade).
Key Provisions
- Definitions:
- "Museum" refers to the proposed African Burial Ground International Memorial Museum and Educational Center.
- "National Monument" is the existing African Burial Ground National Monument in New York City.
- "Secretary" means the Secretary of the Interior, working through the National Park Service (NPS), a federal agency that manages national parks and monuments.
- "State" means New York.
- Study Requirements:
- The Secretary must consult with state and local historic preservation officers, historical societies, tourism offices, and other relevant groups.
- The study assesses if the museum would:
- Act as a permanent memorial to enslaved Africans buried at the site and others worldwide.
- Highlight the site's historical importance, African cultural traditions brought by enslaved people, and the global institution of slavery (including in urban/rural, northern/southern U.S. contexts).
- Provide space for permanent/temporary exhibits, artifact collection, and research (e.g., DNA analysis of remains to trace African origins).
- Foster collaborations with the National Museum of African American History and Culture (part of the Smithsonian Institution), historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), other museums, and groups like the African Burial Ground Memorial Foundation. This includes joint programs, digital exhibits, collection management, and training for heritage preservation.
- Link with the Smithsonian in a way determined by the Secretary and the Smithsonian's Board of Regents.
- Specific Study Elements:
- Evaluate potential collections (e.g., artifacts, DNA samples) that are unique and tied to African traditions or slavery themes.
- Determine opportunities for public understanding of the slave trade's role in the African diaspora and U.S. history.
- Assess stakeholder involvement (e.g., residents, businesses, nonprofits) in planning, including a financial plan outlining roles for the federal government and others.
- Identify the best operator (e.g., NPS, General Services Administration—a federal agency handling government buildings—or others).
- Gauge public support for locations, such as 22 Reade Street (adjacent to the monument) or other areas within the monument.
- Reporting:
- Within 3 years of receiving funds, the Secretary must submit a report to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- The report includes study findings on collections' availability/cost, location criteria, and expenses for acquiring land, building, operating, and maintaining the museum, plus the Secretary's conclusions and recommendations.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This legislation introduces a new directive for a feasibility study but does not immediately alter current laws. It builds on the existing African Burial Ground National Monument (established in 2006 under the Antiquities Act, which allows presidents to protect historic sites). If the study leads to museum creation, it could expand NPS management authority and integrate with Smithsonian programs, potentially amending park service laws for operations and funding.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: The Department of the Interior and NPS would lead the study and possible future museum operations, requiring resources for consultations, research, and reporting. This could increase federal involvement in cultural preservation, with costs for construction and maintenance borne partly by the government.
- Citizens: Enhances public access to education on slavery's history, African contributions, and the diaspora, potentially fostering greater historical awareness and reconciliation. Local New York residents and visitors could benefit from tourism and exhibits, while descendants of enslaved people might gain tools for tracing ancestry via DNA research.
- International Relations: Promotes global collaboration on slavery's legacy, potentially strengthening U.S. ties with African nations through shared research and exhibits, and highlighting the international slave trade's effects.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal Entities: Secretary of the Interior/NPS (leads study/operations); Smithsonian Institution (for collaborations); General Services Administration (potential management role).
- State and Local Groups: New York state/local governments, historic preservation officers, historical societies, and tourism offices (consulted for planning and support).
- Nonprofits and Educational Institutions: African Burial Ground Memorial Foundation (key partner); HBCUs, other museums, and educational groups (for programs and collections).
- Communities: Enslaved Africans' descendants, African American communities, New York residents/businesses (affected by location and tourism), and the broader public interested in U.S. and global history.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The bill operates under Congress's authority to manage federal lands and cultural sites (via the National Park Service Organic Act). It emphasizes consultation to ensure stakeholder buy-in, reducing legal challenges over land use or funding. Future museum establishment might require additional appropriations or environmental reviews under laws like the National Environmental Policy Act.
- Constitutional: Aligns with the federal government's role in promoting general welfare and preserving history (Article I, Section 8). No apparent conflicts with free speech or property rights, as it focuses on public education and voluntary collaborations.
- Political: Advances recognition of slavery's enduring impact, potentially bridging partisan divides on cultural heritage. It could influence debates on reparative history and equity, while supporting tourism/economic development in New York without mandating immediate spending.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10]
Cosponsors (7)
Rep. Espaillat, Adriano [D-NY-13], Rep. Jackson, Jonathan L. [D-IL-1], Rep. Nadler, Jerrold [D-NY-12], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-9], Rep. Velázquez, Nydia M. [D-NY-7], Rep. Raskin, Jamie [D-MD-8]
Recent Actions
- 2025-02-25: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- 2025-02-25: Introduced in House
- 2025-02-25: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- African Burial Ground International Memorial Museum and Educational Center Study Act — issued 2025-02-25 — PDF (7 pages)