Text 2212, 110 rader
Skriven 2006-02-27 23:33:22 av Whitehouse Press (1:3634/12.0)
Ärende: Press Release (0602276) for Mon, 2006 Feb 27
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Establishment of the African Burial Ground National Monument
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For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
February 27, 2006

Establishment of the African Burial Ground National Monument
A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America



In Lower Manhattan, at the corners of Duane and Elk Streets, lies an
undeveloped parcel of approximately 15,000 square feet that constitutes a
remaining portion of New York City's early African Burial Ground. The site
is part of an approximately 7 acre National Historic Landmark established
on April 19, 1993. From the 1690s to the 1790s, the African Burial Ground
served as the final resting place of enslaved and free Africans in New York
City, New York. It contains the remains of those interred, as well as the
archeological resources and artifacts associated with their burials. Prior
to the date of this proclamation, the site was administered by the General
Services Administration (GSA), and it will be the location of a memorial,
to be constructed soon according to a design selected on April 29, 2005,
through a competition conducted by the GSA with the participation of the
National Park Service (NPS) and other interested parties.

Whereas the African Burial Ground National Monument will promote
understanding of related resources, encourage continuing research, and
present interpretive opportunities and programs for visitors to better
understand and honor the culture and vital contributions of generations of
Africans and Americans of African descent to our Nation;

Whereas section 2 of the Act of June 8, 1906 (34 Stat. 225, 16 U.S.C. 431)
(the "Antiquities Act") authorizes the President, in his discretion, to
declare by public proclamation historic landmarks, historic and prehistoric
structures, and other objects of historic or scientific interest that are
situated upon lands owned or controlled by the Government of the United
States to be national monuments, and to reserve as a part thereof parcels
of land, the limits of which in all cases shall be confined to the smallest
area compatible with the proper care and management of the objects to be
protected;

Whereas it would be in the public interest to preserve the portion of the
African Burial Ground at the corner of Duane and Elk Streets in New York
City, and certain lands as necessary for the care and management of the
historic and scientific objects therein, as the African Burial Ground
National Monument;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of
America, by the authority vested in me by section 2 of the Act of June 8,
1906 (34 Stat. 225, 16 U.S.C. 431), do proclaim that there are hereby set
apart and reserved as the African Burial Ground National Monument for the
purpose of protecting the objects described above, all lands and interests
in lands owned or controlled by the Government of the United States with
the boundaries described on the accompanying land description, which is
attached and forms a part of this proclamation. The Federal land and
interests in land reserved consist of approximately 15,000 square feet,
which is the smallest area compatible with the proper care and management
of the objects to be protected.

All Federal lands and interests of lands within the boundaries of this
monument are hereby appropriated and withdrawn from all forms of entry,
location, selection, sale, or leasing or other disposition under the public
land laws, including, but not limited to, withdrawal from location, entry,
and patent under mining laws, and from disposition under all laws relating
to mineral and geothermal leasing.

The Secretary of the Interior (Secretary), acting through the NPS, shall
administer the national monument consistent with the purposes and
provisions of this proclamation and applicable laws and regulations
governing management of units of the national park system. For the purposes
of preserving, interpreting, and enhancing public understanding and
appreciation of the national monument and its meaning to society, the
Secretary, acting through the NPS, shall develop an interagency agreement
with the Administrator of General Services and, within 3 years of the date
of this proclamation, prepare a management plan for the national monument.
The management plan shall, among other provisions, set forth the desired
relationship of the national monument to other related resources, programs,
and organizations in New York City and other locations, provide for maximum
public involvement in its development, and identify steps to be taken to
provide interpretive opportunities for the entirety of the National
Historic Landmark and related sites in New York City. Further, to the
extent authorized by law, the Secretary, acting through the NPS, shall
promulgate any additional regulations needed for the proper care and
management of the objects identified above.

The establishment of this monument is subject to valid existing rights.

Nothing in this proclamation shall be deemed to revoke any existing
withdrawal, reservation, or appropriation; however, the national monument
shall be the dominant reservation.

Warning is hereby given to all unauthorized persons not to appropriate,
injure, destroy, or remove any feature of this monument and not to locate
or settle upon any lands thereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty seventh day of
February, in the year of our Lord two thousand six, and of the Independence
of the United States of America the two hundred and thirtieth.

GEORGE W. BUSH

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