[Congressional Bills 106th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5254 Introduced in House (IH)]
106th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 5254
To authorize funds for the planning, design, and construction of the
Oklahoma Land Run Memorial in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
September 21, 2000
Mr. Istook introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Resources
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To authorize funds for the planning, design, and construction of the
Oklahoma Land Run Memorial in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. FINDINGS.
Congress finds that:
(1) In March of 1889, President Benjamin Harris established
the Oklahoma Land Runs through Presidential proclamations.
These proclamations opened up almost 3,000,000 acres in
Oklahoma territory for settlement via a series of land runs
conducted by the Department of the Interior and supervised by
the United States Army. The first of the six runs was April 22,
1889, and the last was in 1895.
(2) Preserving that historic event will be the focal point
of Oklahoma's Centennial in 2007, marking 100 years of
statehood. The Oklahoma Land Runs are the focal point of State
history. The races literally began with a gunshot to signal the
start, as thousands who came from all across America and the
world rushed to be the first to claim their chosen new
homestead. The land runs rank with the most vibrant of all
events in settling the West, claiming a unique place in
American history.
(3) To enshrine vibrancy for future generations, the
Oklahoma State Centennial Commission has approved of the
creation of 35 heroic-sized bronze statues of land run
participants, frozen in motion as they race to claim their new
homesteads. The statues will include riders on horseback,
covered wagons, a buckboard, a carriage, figures on foot,
superintending soldiers, individuals and families, even a
faithful dog, and a surprised and scared rabbit, racing
literally to be the first to stake a claim on their chosen spot
to create their home.
(4) The bronze statues will be appropriately spaced in an
area about the size of a football field, prominently located
next to the interchange of Interstate 35 and Interstate 235, at
the edge of downtown Oklahoma City, the city that was created
in one day by the Land Run of 1889.
(5) Funding for this project will be divided evenly between
Federal, State, and private sources. The total cost of the
project is $5,100,000. The Federal share will be $1,700,000.
(6) There would be no further nor continuing Federal
obligation. The property is being provided through the city of
Oklahoma City. With official centennial support, the city will
handle all future obligations and maintenance.
SEC. 2. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
(a) In General.--The Secretary of the Interior is authorized to
grant to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, $1,700,000 for the Federal share of
the total cost of planning, design, and construction of the Oklahoma
Land Run Memorial in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
(b) Non-Federal Share.--The non-Federal share of the total cost of
planning, design, and construction of the Oklahoma Land Run Memorial in
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, shall be $3,400,000.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Resources.
Referred to the Subcommittee on National Parks and Public Lands.
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