CONTENTS Gallagher, Hon. Cornelius E., a Representative in Congress from the 18 Helstoski, Hon. Henry, a Representative in Congress from the State Excerpts from the "African Repository and Colonial Journal" volumes 1 and 2, 1825-27, submitted by Hon. Henry Helstoski Hicks, Hon. Louise Day, a Representative in Congress from the State Hunt, Hon. John E., a Representative in Congress from the State of Kastenmeier, Hon. Robert W., a Representative in Congress from Kusielewicz, Eugene, President, Kosciuszko Foundation and Center O'Hara, Hon. James G., a Representative in Congress from the State Pinkowski, Edward, commissioner, Philadelphia Historic Commission Rarick, Hon. John R., a Representative in Congress from the State Reed, Hon. Nathaniel P., Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks, Department of the Interior. Rostenkowski, Hon. Dan, a Representative in Congress from the State of Illinois... Nedzi, Hon. Lucien N., a Representative in Congress from the State of Michigan_ Stratton, Hon. Samuel S., a Representative in Congress from the State Valuchek, Andrew J., special assistant to the chairman of the Demo- Yatron, Hon. Gus, a Representative in Congress from the State of Zablocki, Hon. Clement J., a Representative in Congress from the Ziemba, Father Walter, president and director, Polish Orchard Lake Letters: Alecks, Joseph, president, Polish American Congress, South Boston, 95 15 35 Pinkowski, Edward, Commissioner, Philadelphia Historical Commis- 5 84 81 94 6 Wnukowski, Joseph S., president, Polish Heritage Society of Phila- Yatron, Hon. Gus, a Representative in Congress from the State of Additional information: Commonwealth of Massachusetts Senate resolution adopted Octo- Council of the City of Philadelphia, office of the chief clerk, Resolution Estimated man-years of civilian employment and expenditures for the Heritage Council of the Philadelphia 1976 Bicentennial Corp. House of Representatives, Harrisburg, Pa., resolution, adopted National Registry of Historic Places, inventory, nomination form.. THADDEUS KOSCIUSZKO HOME NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 1972 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AND RECREATION OF THE COMMITTEE ON INTERIOR AND INSULAR AFFAIRS, Washington, D.C. The subcommittee met, pursuant to notice, at 10 a.m., in room 1324, Longworth House Office Building, the Honorable Roy A. Taylor (chairman of the subcommittee) presiding. Mr. TAYLOR. The Subcommittee on National Parks and Recreation. will come to order. We will start while you are being seated. I regret that our room is so small and that we have not enough chairs for everyone. The Subcommittee on National Parks and Recreation has before. it today 40 bills providing for the establishment of the Thaddeus. Kosciuszko Home National Historic Site in Philadelphia, Pa. These measures can be divided into four principal groups: H.R. 256 by Representative Murphy provides for the preservation and interpretation of the Kosciuszko home as a national historic site and authorizes such sums as may be necessary for its acquisition, development, and administration. (H.R. 657, H.R. 766, H.R. 811, H.R. 1169, H.R. 1421, H.R. 6544, H.R. 7528, H.R. 7552, H.R. 11578, H.R. 14307 are identical except for minor typographical differences.) H.R. 6429 by Representative Helstoski recognizes the historic significance of the Kosciuszko home and provides for its administration pending its establishment as a national historic site. It also authorizes an unlimited appropriation. (H.R. 6759, H.R. 6827, H.R. 7513, H.R. 7517, H.R. 7763, H.R. 7813, H.R. 8246, H.R. 8333, H.R. 9394, H.R. 9717, H.R. 9775, H.R. 10566, H.R. 11141, H.R. 11621, H.R. 11837, H.R. 12588, H.R. 13083, H.R. 13358, H.R. 13457, H.R. 13508, H.R. 13612, H.R. 13641, H.R. 13873, H.R. 14008 are all substantially identical, however, some containing minor technical differences.) H.R. 15250 by Representative Saylor also provides for the recognition of the Kosciuszko Home as a national historic site, but the language of the bill brings it into conformity with the usual language approved by the committee, except that it also includes an unlimited authorization ceiling. The last group of bills is represented by S. 1973, which is similar to H.R. 14255 except that it limits the amount authorized to be appropriated for development to not more than $592,000. No land acquisition ceiling is included; however, the Senate report language indicates (1) that the structure is to be donated to the U.S. (H.R. 14255, and H.R. 14609 are identical bills). Thaddeus Kosciuszko is recognized as a great military hero of the Revolutionary War. There is no question about the significance of the roll which he played in the battle of Saratoga or about his influence in the military strategy in other engagements. He came to America to help us achieve the freedom we all enjoy and he returned to Poland to assist his countrymen in their struggle for a more democratic system. Because of his role, he has been memoralized in the Saratoga National Historic Park, at West Point, and at Lafayette Park by monuments and statues. The Congress, itself, recognized his contributions when it decorated him for his excellant service at the end of the Revolutionary War with the brevet of major general. In fact, for many years, a bust of this outstanding man has been on display in the U.S. Capitol. While there can be no question about the accomplishments of General Kosciuszko in American history, there have been questions about the appropriateness of making the structures involved in these proposals a national historic site. As we take testimony today, our chief concern is not other national historic sites and their roles in the national park system, but what this place could contribute to the overall historic interpretation program of the National Park Service if it were authorized. I expect we will run short of time and we want to complete this hearing today, so I hope that each witness will state his case as constructively and wisely as possible. In the absence of objection, a copy of H.R. 256, a copy of H.R. 6429, a copy of H.R. 15250 and H.R. 14255, and a copy of S. 1973 will be made a part of the record at this point. (The legislation referred to follows:) [H.R. 256, 92d Cong., first sess.] A BILL To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to establish the Thaddeus Kosciuszko Home National Historic Site in the State of Pennsylvania, and for other purposes Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That, in order to preserve and interpret for the benefit of the people the home of Thaddeus Kosciuszko in Philadelphia, Pennslyvania, the Secretary of the Interior is authorized to acquire by donation, purchase with donated or appropriated funds, or exchange, the property at the northwest corner of Third and Pine Streets specifically designated as 301 Pine Street and/or 342 South Third Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, including improvements thereon, together with such adjacent land and interests therein as the Secretary may deem necessary for the establishment and administration of the property as a national historic site. The Secretary is further authorized to acquire by any of the above means personal property used and to be used in connection with the national historic site. SEC. 2. The property acquired pursuant to the first section of this Act shall be known as the Thaddeus Kosciuszko Home National Historic Site, and it shall be administered by the Secretary of the Interior in accordance with the Act of August 25, 1916 (39 Stat. 535), as amended and supplmented (16 U.S.C. 1, 2-4), and the Act of August 21, 1935 (49 Stat. 666; 16 U.S.C. 461–467). SEC. 3. There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act. [H.R. 6429, 92d Cong., first sess.] A BILL To provide for the establishment of the Thaddeus Kosciuszko Home National Historic Site in the State of Pennsylvania, and for other purposes Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That in order to preserve in public ownership the historically significant property associated with the life of Thaddeus Kosciuszko for the benefit and inspiration of the people of the United States, the Secretary of the Interior is authorized to acquire by donation, purchase with donated or appropriated funds, or exchange in accordance with the provisions of 35(b) of the Act of July 15, 1968 (16 U.S.C. 460 1-22 (Supp. V)), the land and interests in land, together with buildings and improvements thereon, located at, or in the vicinity of, 301 Pine Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, together with such other lands and interests in lands, including scenic easements, as the Secretary shall deem necessary for the administration of the area. The Secretary shall establish the Thaddeus Kosciuszko Home National Historic Site by publication of a notice to that effect in the Federal Register at such time as he deems sufficient lands and interests in lands have been acquired for administration in accordance with the purposes of this Act. SEC. 2. Pending establishment and thereafter, the Secretary shall administer lands and interests in lands acquired for the Thaddeus Kosciuszko Home National Historic Site in accordance with the Act approved August 25, 1916 (39 Stat. 535; 16 U.S.C. 1, 2-4), as amended and supplemented, and the Act approved August 21, 1935 (49 Stat. 666; 16 U.S.C. 461-467), as amended. SEC. 3. There are hereby authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act. [H.R. 15250, 92d Cong., second sess.] A BILL To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to establish the Thaddeus Kosciuszko Home National Historic Site in the State of Pennsylvania, and for other purposes Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That, in order to preserve and interpret for the benefit of present and future generations the home of Thaddeus Kosciuszko in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the Secretary of the Interior is authorized to ac quire by donation, purchase, or exchange the property and improvements thereon in the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, generally described as 301 Pine Street, together with such other lands and interests therein which he deems necessary for the establishment and administration of a national historic site: Provided, That lands or interests in lands owned by such State or city may be acquired by donation only. SEC. 2. The Secretary shall establish the Thaddeus Kosciuszko Home National Historic Site by publication of a notice to that effect in the Federal Register at such time as he deems sufficient lands and interests in lands have been acquired for administration in accordance with the purpose of this Act. SEC. 3 Pending establishment and thereafter, the Secretary shall administer lands and interests in lands acquired pursuant to this Act in accordance with the Act of August 25, 1916 (39 Stat. 535; 16 U.S.C. 1, 2–4), as amended and supplemented, and the Act of August 21, 1935 (49 Stat. 666; 16 U.S.C. 416-467), as amended. SEC. 4. There are hereby authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act. [H.R. 14255, 92d Cong., second sess.] A BILL To provide for the establishment of the Thaddeus Kosciuszko Home National Historic Site in the State of Pennsylvania, and for other purposes Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That, in order to preserve in public ownership the historically significant property associated with the life of Thaddeus Kosciuszko for the benefit and inspiration of the people of the United States, the |