A bill to provide for the establishment of the Boston African American National Historic Site in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and for other purposes.
Public Law 96-430 · H.R. 7434 · 96th Congress · began in the House
Signed by Jimmy Carter (D) on Oct 10, 1980 · Public Lands and Natural Resources
Sponsor: Rep. John Moakley (D-MA-9)
Cosponsors (43): Rep. James Oberstar, Rep. Richard Bolling,
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: Boston African American National Historic Site= - Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to establish the Boston African American National Historic Site in Boston, Massachusetts.
Authorizes the Secretary to accept any gift or bequest of any property within the boundaries of such site and to enter into cooperative agreements with the city of Boston, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, or any of their political subdivisions, or any private person or organization for such activities as may be necessary for the preservation of any such properties. Authorizes the Secretary to assist with maintenance of those properties owned by the city of Boston, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, their political subdivisions, or not-for-profit organizations.
Specifies that if any fees are charged for the use of a property covered by any such cooperative agreement, and Federal funds are committed in the cooperative agreements, the income from such fees shall be applied to the costs of maintenance and renovation of such property.
Permits the Secretary, in cooperation with other interested groups, to identify other significant sites relating to the nineteenth century free African American Community on Beacon Hill, Boston, and, with the consent of the owners thereof, mark them appropriately and make reference to them in any interpretive literature.
Directs the Secretary, within three fiscal years from the effective date of this Act, to submit to specified Congressional committees a comprehensive general management plan for the historic site.
Specifies that authority to enter into contracts, to incur obligations, or to make payments under this Act shall be effective only to the extent, and in such amounts, as are provided in advance in appropriation Acts.
=Title II: National Center for the Study of Afro-American History and Culture Act= - Establishes the National Afro-American History and Culture Commission which shall: (1) be responsible for the development of a definitive plan for the construction and operation of the National Center for the study of Afro-American History and Culture; and (2) solicit subscriptions of funds from private and public sources to help meet costs of the construction, furnishing, and operation of the center, including the costs of research programs and administration.
Allows the Commission to: (1) acquire by gift, purchase with appropriated or donated funds, transfer from any Federal or State agency, exchange, or otherwise, suitable land and interest in land in the vicinity of Wilberforce, Ohio, for the location of the headquarters of the center; (2) acquire any other real or personal property necessary for the establishment and operation of the center; and (3) sell, exchange, or otherwise dispose of any property acquired and designate any proceeds from such disposal for the benefit of the center.
Sets forth the terms and conditions for membership on such Commission. Requires the Commission to report annually to Congress on the financial transactions and activities of the Commission.
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. 14 actions.
- Oct 10, 1980Became lawBecame law · Signed by President.
- PresidentPresident · Public Law 96-430.
- PresidentPresident · Measure presented to President.
- Oct 9, 1980PresidentPresident · Measure enrolled in Senate.
- Oct 8, 1980PresidentPresident · Measure enrolled in House.
- Oct 1, 1980Resolving differencesResolving differences · House agreed to Senate amendment.
- Sep 30, 1980FloorFloor · Measure passed Senate, amended.
- Sep 12, 1980CommitteeCommittee · Reported by Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee
- Aug 26, 1980CommitteeCommittee · Referred to Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee
- Aug 25, 1980FloorFloor · Measure passed House, amended.
- FloorFloor · Measure called up under motion to suspend rules and pass in House.
- Aug 21, 1980CommitteeCommittee · Reported by House Natural Resources Committee
- May 22, 1980CommitteeCommittee · 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.