H.R. 1568 — African Burial Ground International Memorial Museum and Educational Center Act

This section states congressional findings concerning the African Burial Ground National Historic Landmark in New York, New York, including that it holds the remains of up to 20,000 enslaved Africans and early-generation African Americans from the colonial era; highlights presidential remarks on the resilience of enslaved Africans; notes its designation as a National Monument encompassing a 15,000-square-foot parcel; and identifies it as a site for an international memorial museum dedicated to slavery's victims, to be developed through partnerships among the federal government (including the Smithsonian Institution and National Park Service), New York State and City, and the private sector, modeled on the National Museum of the American Indian.

This section defines nine terms used in the Act: (1) Administrator, meaning the Administrator of the General Services Administration; (2) Advisory Council, meaning the African Burial Ground Advisory Council established by section 7(a); (3) City, meaning the city of New York, New York; (4) expansion property, meaning property acquired by the Secretary under section 5(a); (5) Museum, meaning the African Burial Ground International Memorial Museum and Educational Center established by section 4(a); (6) National Landmark, meaning the African Burial Ground National Historic Landmark in the City; (7) National Monument, meaning the African Burial Ground National Monument in the City; (8) Secretary, meaning the Secretary of the Interior acting through the Director of the National Park Service; and (9) State, meaning the State of New York.

This section establishes at the African Burial Ground National Monument the African Burial Ground International Memorial Museum and Educational Center. The museum's purposes include (1) serving as a permanent living memorial to the enslaved buried at the site and other enslaved Africans and African Americans; (2) examining African cultural traditions brought to the United States by the enslaved; (3) exploring the institution of slavery in the United States and other parts of the world; (4) providing space for permanent and temporary exhibits and the collection and study of artifacts and documents; and (5) encouraging collaboration with the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC), historically Black colleges and universities, historical societies, and other entities on cooperative programs, collections management, and heritage preservation training. The museum shall become associated with NMAAHC, as determined by the Secretary of the Interior in consultation with the relevant advisory council and the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution.

This section directs the Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with the General Services Administration Administrator, the advisory council, and entities such as the African Burial Ground Memorial Foundation, to acquire property for the Museum at 22 Reade Street (adjacent to the African Burial Ground National Monument) or elsewhere in the African Burial Ground National Historic Landmark and to plan, design, and construct the Museum on that property. The section sets the federal share of costs for property acquisition and Museum planning, design, construction, reconstruction, and renovation at two-thirds; authorizes the Secretary and Administrator to enter agreements with the City of New York, State of New York, and other parties for such purposes (including acquisition by purchase, long-term lease, donation, or other means); and incorporates the expansion property into, and requires its management as part of, the National Monument.

This section directs the Secretary, in consultation with the Advisory Council and the African Burial Ground Memorial Foundation, to operate the museum. It further authorizes the Secretary, in consultation with the Advisory Council, to (1) purchase, accept, borrow, or acquire artifacts for museum collections; (2) loan, exchange, sell, or dispose of collections (with proceeds used for additional collections); (3) specify criteria for use of collections and resources, including for programming, education, exhibitions, and research; (4) preserve, restore, and maintain collections; (5) solicit and accept gifts, bequests, and devises; (6) enter contracts; (7) administer the national monument as a unit of the National Park System under this Act and applicable laws (including division A of subtitle I of title 54, United States Code); and (8) conduct other necessary activities.

This section establishes the African Burial Ground Advisory Council within the Department of the Interior, chaired by the Secretary of the Interior and composed of nine specified ex officio members or designees (i.e., the Secretary of the Interior, National Park Service Director, Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, Administrator, Governor of the State, Mayor of the City, and President of the Borough of Manhattan, plus seven others) and 14 members appointed by the Secretary within 180 days of enactment, taking into account recommendations from relevant organizations and council members. The council may include nonvoting members such as Members of Congress and state or local officials. Council members generally serve 3-year terms, with initial appointees staggered as five for 1 year, five for 2 years, and four for 3 years; reappointment is permitted once (for a total of two terms), and vacancies are filled for the remainder of the unexpired term. The council (1) makes recommendations to the Secretary on planning, design, and construction of the Museum; (2) advises on its administration, operation, maintenance, and preservation; (3) provides opportunities for public input; and (4) adopts bylaws. Members serve without compensation but receive authorized travel expenses, meet at least twice annually (and four times in the first year), and require a majority quorum to conduct business.

This section requires the Secretary to appoint a Director for the Museum—who manages the Museum in accordance with the Secretary's policies and in consultation with the Advisory Council—taking into consideration recommendations by the Advisory Council. The section further authorizes the Secretary to appoint two employees to assist the Director without regard to civil service laws or the compensation provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of title 5, United States Code.

This section authorizes appropriations to the Secretary to carry out the Act (except for museum site acquisition) of $15 million for FY2025 and such sums as are necessary for each fiscal year thereafter, plus such sums as necessary for museum site acquisition under section 5. Amounts appropriated remain available until expended. Funds may be used to support the museum and expand or establish programs promoting and preserving the legacy of the African Burial Ground (a historic cemetery in New York City for enslaved and free Africans), including (1) raising private funds, (2) curriculum development, workshops, and community outreach, (3) establishing a dedicated visitor center with interactive exhibits, and (4) ensuring long-term sustainability of facilities and objectives.