Jon L. Christensen: “H.R. 3084 authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to make available $50 million in grants as a contribution of funds…”

“H.R. 3084 authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to make available $50 million in grants as a contribution of funds for the establishment of an interpretive center on the life and contributions of President Abraham Lincoln. The center is to be operated by a non-Federal entity, which would have to submit to the Secretary a plan and design for the interpretive center within 18 months of enactment. The legislation specifies that Federal funds would have to be matched on the basis of at least double the amount of any grant made by the Secretary. The bill also specifies that no grant funds may be used for maintenance or operation of the interpretive center, and that the Secretary would have no involvement in the operation of the center except at the request of the non-Federal entity. We are all aware of the important role President Lincoln has had in American history. That role has been honored in five national park system units alone. H.R. 3084 would expand on that recognition by making funds available for a new interpretive center to be built by State and local entities in Springfield, Illinois. There appears to be significant interest in such an interpretive center, and we have no objection to the legislation.”