A bill to provide for the establishment of the Lowell National Historical Park in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and for other purposes.
Public Law 95-290 · H.R. 11662 · 95th Congress · began in the House
Signed by Jimmy Carter (D) on Jun 5, 1978 · Public Lands and Natural Resources
Sponsor: Rep. Paul Tsongas (D-MA-5)
Cosponsors (24): Rep. James Wright, Rep. Morris Udall,
Passage votes
- HouseMethod not stated
- SenateMethod not stated
Data notes
The final version of the law, as each chamber passed it. A chamber that passed it by voice vote or unanimous consent has no count. “Method not stated” means the record does not say how the chamber voted. Where the record has a member-by-member vote, the “Who voted for it” section shows who voted yea.
Summary
The Congressional Research Service’s plain-language summary of what the law does.
=Title I: Establishment of Park and Preservation District= - Establishes in the city of Lowell, Massachusetts, the Lowell National Historical Park and the Lowell Historic Preservation District. Authorizes appropriations for the acquisition, preservation, and development of such park and district. Requires that biannual statements be submitted to the Congress by the Secretary of the Interior certifying the aggregate amount of money expended by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the city of Lowell, and any nonprofit entity or activity in the city of Lowell consistent with the purpose of this Act.
=Title II: Role of the Secretary= - Requires the Secretary of the Interior to submit a progress report to Congress within two years after receiving funds to implement this Act. Requires the Secretary to submit a park management plan to Congress. Provides for consultation with the Lowell city manager, the Lowell National Historic Preservation Commission, and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in developing such plan.
Directs the Secretary to acquire all or an interest in specified properties for the park. Stipulates that any property or interest owned by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts or any political subdivision may be acquired only by donation. Authorizes emergency acquisition of properties subject to demolition or major alterations. Permits acquisitions of easements within the park.
Directs the Secretary to provide technical assistance in preservation, restoration, and other use of park properties. Permits the Secretary to enter into agreements with park property owners to provide interpretive exhibits and programs.
Permits withholding of park management plan funds by the Secretary if the city of Lowell fails to meet specified criteria.
=Title III: Role of the Commission= - Establishes, within the Department of the Interior, the Lowell Historical Preservation Commission to administer certain authorities in the park and preservation district.
Terminates the Commission ten years from the date of enactment of this Act. Requires the Commission to submit a park preservation plan, subject to review and approval by the Secretary.
Permits the Commission to make loans to the Lowell Development and Financial Corporation to permit the corporation to provide low interest loans for the preservation and restoration of specified park property.
Authorizes the Commission to make grants and provide technical assistance to specified owners of property and public or private entities. Directs the Secretary to make an annual report to the Congress describing the loans, grants, and technical assistance provided under this Act.
Authorizes the Commission to acquire, by donation, purchase, or by condemnation (subject to the approval of the Secretary), any property included in the index established by this Act.
Provides that the Commission shall have a Director appointed by the Commission and such other additional personnel as the Commission deems advisable.
Committees
The committees the bill was sent to, and what each did with it.
Data notes
A committee links to its page only where it exists in the current Congress; older and renamed committees are named without a link.
Timeline
From introduction to signing, newest first: the committees, the floor and the president. 16 actions.
- Jun 5, 1978Became lawBecame law · Signed by President.
- PresidentPresident · Public Law 95-290.
- May 24, 1978PresidentPresident · Measure presented to President.
- PresidentPresident · Measure enrolled in Senate.
- PresidentPresident · Measure enrolled in House.
- May 22, 1978Resolving differencesResolving differences · House agreed to Senate amendments.
- May 18, 1978FloorFloor · Measure passed Senate, amended.
- May 12, 1978CommitteeCommittee · Reported by Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee
- Apr 12, 1978CommitteeCommittee · Referred to Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee
- Apr 11, 1978FloorFloor · Measure passed House, amended, roll call #211 (326-76).House roll call 211
- Apr 3, 1978FloorFloor · Measure failed of passage in House under suspension of rules, roll call #187 (228-132).House roll call 187
- FloorFloor · Failed of passage/not agreed to in House: Measure failed of passage in House under suspension of rules, roll call #187 (228-132).House roll call 187
- FloorFloor · Measure called up under motion to suspend rules and pass in House.
- Mar 30, 1978CommitteeCommittee · Reported by House Natural Resources Committee
- Mar 20, 1978CommitteeCommittee · Referred to House Natural Resources Committee
- IntroducedIntroduced · Introduced in the House
Data notes
Shows the introduction, each committee and subcommittee step the source dates (referral, hearings, markup, report, discharge), and the floor, conference, presidential and became-law steps. Calendar placements, messages between the chambers, amendments and committee report numbers are not shown for laws before the 108th Congress. Two entries the source lists twice are shown once.
Official record
The bill’s full text and every action, including introduction and committee steps, are on Congress.gov. Data through Oct 7, 2026.