Rob Portman: “let me try to address the concerns once more and be very clear. This does not involve Federal funding. If we look at…”

“let me try to address the concerns once more and be very clear. This does not involve Federal funding. If we look at this legislation very carefully, it is all discretionary. The Secretary may coordinate, may enter into cooperative agreements and may work in partnership. It is all discretionary. It is ironic to me that we are going to sit here in Congress and oppose something that in fact will keep that good report from collecting dust on the shelf. This is something that will move the report forward. Here you have a private sector group representing the entire country, working on a coordinated basis with sites around the country. They want to set up an interpretive center, not a museum, to commemorate this experience in America's history that should have been commemorated a long time ago. All we are saying is, we want affiliated status to get the Park Service to work with us to provide technical support. It is ironic that we would be saying, no, we are going to stop this, it is not appropriate. I think it is a real shame. I think it is the kind of thing we should be doing. It is a private-sector effort to work in partnership with Government, not involving taxpayer funds. If Congress determines down the line other areas maybe should get that affiliated status, that is fine, too. They do not want Federal funds. That is what is so great about this. It is noncontroversial.”