Sam Gibbons: “H.R. 449 is a noncontroversial and bipartisan bill that would authorize the Gateway Visitor Center at Independence…”

“H.R. 449 is a noncontroversial and bipartisan bill that would authorize the Gateway Visitor Center at Independence National Historic Park. This bill authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to enter into a cooperative agreement with the Gateway Visitor Center Corporation to construct and operate a regional visitor center on Independence Mall. The center would provide information, interpretation, facilities and services for visitors to Independence National Historical Park, its surrounding historical sites and the City of Philadelphia. Private and public funds will be used to develop the visitor center on National Park property, and it is my understanding that approximately $30 million of private funds have already been raised and this project is ready to move forward. This is a great example of how we can incorporate private enterprise to improve our parks and the experience for our visitors. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 449.”