§469l–1. National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom program

(a) In general

The Secretary of the Interior (in sections 469l to 469l–2 of this title referred to as the "Secretary") shall establish in the National Park Service a program to be known as the "National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom" (in sections 469l to 469l–2 of this title referred to as the "national network"). Under the program, the Secretary shall-

(1) produce and disseminate appropriate educational materials, such as handbooks, maps, interpretive guides, or electronic information;

(2) enter into appropriate cooperative agreements and memoranda of understanding to provide technical assistance under subsection (c) of this section; and

(3) create and adopt an official, uniform symbol or device for the national network and issue regulations for its use.

(b) Elements

The national network shall encompass the following elements:

(1) All units and programs of the National Park Service determined by the Secretary to pertain to the Underground Railroad.

(2) Other Federal, State, local, and privately owned properties pertaining to the Underground Railroad that have a verifiable connection to the Underground Railroad and that are included on, or determined by the Secretary to be eligible for inclusion on, the National Register of Historic Places.

(3) Other governmental and nongovernmental facilities and programs of an educational, research, or interpretive nature that are directly related to the Underground Railroad.

(c) Cooperative agreements and memoranda of understanding

To achieve the purposes of sections 469l to 469l–2 of this title and to ensure effective coordination of the Federal and non-Federal elements of the national network referred to in subsection (b) of this section with National Park Service units and programs, the Secretary may enter into cooperative agreements and memoranda of understanding with, and provide technical assistance to-

(1) the heads of other Federal agencies, States, localities, regional governmental bodies, and private entities; and

(2) in cooperation with the Secretary of State, the governments of Canada, Mexico, and any appropriate country in the Caribbean.

(d) Appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out sections 469l to 469l–2 of this title not more than $500,000 for each fiscal year. No amounts may be appropriated for the purposes of sections 469l to 469l–2 of this title except to the Secretary for carrying out the responsibilities of the Secretary as set forth in subsection (a) of this section.

( Pub. L. 105–203, §3, July 21, 1998, 112 Stat. 679 .)

Section Referred to in Other Sections

This section is referred to in sections 469l, 469l–2 of this title.