e02
[DOCID: f:h3941ih.txt]
107th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 3941
To direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resource
study to determine whether it is suitable and feasible to include the
Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial as a unit of the National
Park System.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
March 12, 2002
Mr. George Miller of California introduced the following bill; which
was referred to the Committee on Resources
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resource
study to determine whether it is suitable and feasible to include the
Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial as a unit of the National
Park
System.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Port Chicago Naval Magazine National
Memorial Study Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
(a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
(1) The Port Chicago Naval Magazine, located in Contra
Costa County, California, served as the major West Coast
munitions supply facility during World War II, during which
time the facility played a critical role in the success of the
war effort.
(2) On July 17, 1944, an explosion at Port Chicago, the
origin of which has never been determined, resulted in the
deaths of 320 officers and sailors, the largest domestic loss
of life during World War II, and the injury of many others.
(3) On October 28, 1992, Port Chicago Naval Magazine was
designated as a National Memorial by Public Law 102-562; 106
Stat. 4235 to commemorate the role of the facility during World
War II, to recognize those who served at the facility, and to
honor the memory of those who gave their lives and those who
were injured in the explosion on July 17, 1944.
(4) The Secretary of the Interior (hereafter in this Act
referred to as the ``Secretary'') does not have the authority
to administer the Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial
(hereafter in this Act referred to as the ``National
Memorial'') as a unit of the National Park System, nor to
adequately research (including the collection of oral
histories), interpret, and preserve the resources associated
with the National Memorial.
SEC. 3. AUTHORIZATION OF STUDY.
(a) In General.--The Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary
of the Navy, shall conduct a special resource study to determine the
suitability and feasibility of including the Port Chicago Naval
Magazine National Memorial as a unit of the National Park System.
(b) Study Guidelines.--Section 8(c) of Public Law 91-383 (16 U.S.C.
1a-5(c)) shall apply to the study required by subsection (a).
(c) Scope.--In conducting the study required by subsection (a), the
Secretary shall examine potential links between the National Memorial
and other World War II home front sites in the San Francisco Bay area.
<all>
0