Volume 69 · 137
Public Law 84–75
To provide for investigating the feasibility of establishing a coordinated local, State, and Federal program in the city of Boston, Massachusetts, and general vicinity thereof, for the purpose of preserving the historic properties, objects, and buildings in that area.
Approved June 16, 1955
Statutory text
JOINT RESOLUTION
To provide for investigating the feasibility of establishing a coordinated local, State, and Federal program in the city of Boston, Massachusetts, and general vicinity thereof, for the purpose of preserving the historic properties, objects, and buildings in that area.
Whereas there, are located within the city of Boston and vicinity a number of historic properties, buildings, sites, and objects of the Colonial and Revolutionary period of American history which, because of their historical significance or their architectural merit, are of great importance to the Nation; and
Whereas at this critical period, as well as at all periods in our national life, the inspiration afforded by such prime examples of the American historical heritage and their interpretation is in the public interest; and
Whereas it is proper and desirable that the United States of America should cooperate in a program looking to the preservation and public use of these historic properties that are intimately associated with American Colonial solidarity and the establishment of American independence: Therefore be it
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
That a Commission is hereby created for the purpose of investigating the feasibility of establishing a coordinated program in which the Federal Government may cooperate with local and State governments and historical
Purpose.
and patriotic societies for the preservation and appreciation by the public of the most important of the Colonial and Revolutionary properties in Boston and the general vicinity thereof which form outstanding examples of America’s historical heritage.
Sec. 2.
The Commission shall be known as the Boston
Members.
National Historic Sites Commission, and shall be composed of seven individuals, who shall serve without compensation, to be appointed as follows: One Member of the United States Senate, to be appointed by the President of the Senate; one Member of the United States House of Representatives, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House; one member to he appointed by the Secretary of the Interior, and four persons, at, least one of whom shall be a resident of the city of Boston, to be appointed by the President of the Ignited States. Any vacancy in the Commission shall be filled in the same manner in which the original appointment was made.
Sec. 3.
The Commission shall meet for the purpose of organizing
Meeting.
within ninety days after the enactment of this Act. The Commission shall elect a chairman and executive secretary from among its members.
Sec. 4.
The Commission shall (a) make an inventory and study
Duties.
of the historic objects, sites, buildings, and other historic properties of Boston and the general vicinity thereof, including comparative real estate costs; (b) prepare an analysis of the existing condition and state of care of such properties; (c) recommend such programs by the local, State, or Federal governments and cooperating societies for the future preservation, public use, and appreciation of such properties as the Commission shall consider to be in the public interest; and (d) prepare a report containing basic factual information relating to the foregoing and the recommendations of the Commission thereon. Such report shall be transmitted to the Congress
Report to Congress.
by the Secretary of the Interior within two years following the approval of this Act and the securing of appropriations for purposes hereof. Upon submission of the report to the Congress, the Commission
Termination.
shall cease to exist.
Sec. 5.
The Secretary of the Interior may appoint and fix the
Employees.
Post, p. 460.
compensation, in accordance with the provisions of the civil-service laws and the Classification Act of 1949, as amended, of such experts,
advisers, and other employees, and may make such expenditures, including expenditures for actual travel and subsistence expense of member’s, employees, and witnesses (not exceeding $15 for subsistence expense for any one person for any one calendar day), for personal services at the seat of government and elsewhere, and for printing and binding, as are necessary for the efficient execution of the functions, powers, and duties of the Commission under this Act. The Commission is authorized to utilize voluntary and uncompensated
Appropriation.
services for the purposes of this Act. There is hereby authorized to be appropriated, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, the sum of $40,000, to carry out the provisions of this Act, including printing and binding.
The Commission shall have the same privilege of free transmission
Mailing privilege.
of official mail matters as is granted by law to officers of the United States Government.
Approved June 16, 1955.