African Burial Ground International Memorial Museum and Educational Center Act
- Bill Number
- S. 728
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Arts, Culture, Religion
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-02-25: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- Last Updated
- 2026-03-24T12:48:03Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
The African Burial Ground International Memorial Museum and Educational Center Act (S. 728) aims to create a permanent museum and educational center at the African Burial Ground National Monument in New York City. This site honors the remains of up to 20,000 enslaved Africans and early African Americans from the colonial era, serving as a memorial to those who endured slavery while contributing to the nation's development. The legislation seeks to educate the public on the history of slavery, African cultural traditions brought to the U.S., and the resilience of enslaved people, fostering understanding and preservation of this significant historical site.
Key Provisions
- Establishment of the Museum: Creates the African Burial Ground International Memorial Museum and Educational Center within the existing National Monument (a protected federal site designated in 2006). The museum will include permanent and temporary exhibits, artifact collections, and research facilities.
- Purposes:
- Act as a living memorial to enslaved individuals buried at the site and others affected by slavery.
- Explore African cultural influences in the U.S. and the global institution of slavery.
- Promote collaborations with institutions like the National Museum of African American History and Culture (a Smithsonian museum in Washington, D.C.), historically Black colleges, and others for programs, digital exhibits, and professional training.
- Site Acquisition and Development:
- The Secretary of the Interior (acting through the National Park Service, or NPS) must acquire adjacent property (e.g., at 22 Reade Street) for the museum, with the federal government covering two-thirds of costs for acquisition, planning, design, and construction.
- Allows partnerships with the General Services Administration (GSA), New York State, New York City, and private groups like the African Burial Ground Memorial Foundation for funding and agreements.
- Expands the National Monument to include the new property.
- Operation and Management:
- The NPS will operate the museum, managing collections (acquiring, preserving, and displaying artifacts), programming, and the site as part of the National Park System (federal lands protected for historical and natural value).
- Establishes an Advisory Council (within the Department of the Interior) with 22 members, including federal officials, state and city leaders, and appointed experts, to guide planning, operations, and public input. The council meets at least twice yearly and serves without pay (except travel expenses).
- Appoints a director and up to two staff members to run daily activities, exempt from standard federal hiring rules for flexibility.
- Funding: Authorizes $15 million for fiscal year 2025, plus ongoing funds as needed, available until spent. Funds can support private fundraising, educational programs (e.g., workshops, curricula), a visitor center with interactive exhibits, and long-term maintenance.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Builds on prior protections: The African Burial Ground is already a National Historic Landmark (1993, a site of national historical importance) and National Monument (2006, under the Antiquities Act, which allows presidents to protect significant sites). This act expands the monument's boundaries and adds a museum, which did not previously exist.
- Enhances federal involvement: Integrates the site more deeply with the National Park System laws (codified in Title 54 of the U.S. Code), requiring NPS management. It also formalizes partnerships, similar to the National Museum of the American Indian, but tailored to slavery's history.
- No direct repeal of laws, but it references and extends earlier acts like the National Museum of African American History and Culture Act (2003), which covers slavery in its scope.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Increases responsibilities for the NPS (operation and expansion of a park unit), Department of the Interior (oversight via the Advisory Council), GSA (property acquisition), and Smithsonian Institution (collaborations). This could strain budgets but also leverage existing expertise in sites like the Statue of Liberty.
- On Citizens: Provides educational opportunities for Americans to learn about slavery's urban and rural impacts, African roots (via DNA studies of remains), and cultural resilience. It may boost tourism in Lower Manhattan, aiding post-9/11 revitalization and attracting millions of visitors, including international ones.
- On International Relations: Highlights the global slave trade, potentially strengthening U.S. ties with African nations through shared history and research. Quotes from President George W. Bush's 2003 Senegal speech emphasize universal themes of freedom, which could enhance America's image in discussions of human rights and reparative justice.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal Government: NPS, Department of the Interior, GSA, and Smithsonian Institution (direct operational and advisory roles).
- State and Local Governments: New York State and New York City (including Manhattan's borough president), contributing to funding, planning, and local revitalization.
- Private and Community Groups: African Burial Ground Memorial Foundation and similar organizations (partnerships for exhibits and fundraising); African American communities, historians, educators, and historically Black colleges (benefiting from programs and research).
- Public and Visitors: U.S. citizens and international tourists seeking historical education; researchers studying slavery and African diaspora.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Ensures compliance with National Park System laws for site management, emphasizing preservation without restricting access. The two-thirds federal funding share encourages non-federal contributions, promoting public-private efficiency. Advisory Council structure allows broad input, reducing legal challenges over decision-making.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's powers under Article I (regulating federal lands and commerce) and the Property Clause (managing territories). No First Amendment issues, as it focuses on historical education rather than viewpoint discrimination.
- Political: Represents bipartisan recognition of slavery's legacy (citing presidents from both parties), potentially advancing racial reconciliation and education amid ongoing debates on historical monuments. It could influence similar efforts for other underrepresented histories, but funding reliance on appropriations may face congressional hurdles. The site's proximity to the World Trade Center memorial ties it to themes of national resilience and remembrance.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]
Cosponsors (1)
Sen. Schumer, Charles E. [D-NY]
Recent Actions
- 2025-02-25: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- 2025-02-25: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- African Burial Ground International Memorial Museum and Educational Center Act — issued 2025-02-25 — PDF (19 pages)