Bill Summary
The Fire Island AIDS Memorial Act authorizes the Pines Foundation to establish a memorial at Fire Island National Seashore to honor and remember the residents of Fire Island Pines and Cherry Grove, New York who suffered and died from the AIDS epidemic. The purpose of the Act is to educate future generations about the impact of the AIDS epidemic on the Fire Island communities. The Act prohibits the use of federal funds for the design, procurement, preparation, installation, or maintenance of the Memorial, but allows for non-federal funds to be used for these purposes. The location and final design of the Memorial must be approved by the Director of the National Park Service.
Possible Impacts
1. This legislation could positively affect the LGBTQ+ community by recognizing and honoring the residents of Fire Island who died from AIDS and educating future generations about the impact of the epidemic on the community.
2. It may also negatively affect taxpayers as federal funds cannot be used for the design, installation, and maintenance of the memorial. This means that the cost burden falls on the Pines Foundation and any non-federal contributions.
3. This legislation could also create controversy and debates around the location and design of the memorial, as the final decision is subject to approval by the Director of the National Park Service. This could potentially cause tension between different stakeholders involved in the project.
[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 6812 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
118th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 6812
To authorize the Pines Foundation to establish the Fire Island AIDS
Memorial, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
December 14, 2023
Mr. Garbarino introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Natural Resources
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To authorize the Pines Foundation to establish the Fire Island AIDS
Memorial, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Fire Island AIDS Memorial Act''.
SEC. 2. PURPOSES.
The purposes of the Act are--
(1) to honor and remember the many residents of Fire Island
Pines and Cherry Grove, New York, who suffered and died from
the AIDS epidemic; and
(2) to educate future generations about the AIDS epidemic
and the impact of the AIDS epidemic on the Fire Island
communities in the State of New York.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Director.--The term ``Director'' means the Director of
the National Park Service.
(2) Foundation.--The term ``Foundation'' means the Pines
Foundation.
(3) Memorial.--The term ``Memorial'' means the Fire Island
AIDS Memorial authorized to be established under section 4(a).
SEC. 4. FIRE ISLAND AIDS MEMORIAL.
(a) Authorization To Establish Memorial.--The Foundation may
establish and maintain a memorial at Fire Island National Seashore to
honor the residents of Fire Island who died of AIDS, to be known as the
``Fire Island AIDS Memorial''.
(b) Use of Federal Funds Prohibited.--
(1) In general.--Federal funds may not be used to design,
procure, prepare, install, or maintain the Memorial.
(2) Non-federal funds.--The Director may accept and expend
contributions of non-Federal funds and resources for the
purposes described in paragraph (1).
(c) Location of Memorial.--The Director may allow the Memorial to
be established in the area of the Fire Island National Seashore located
along the walkway between the Fire Island Pines and Cherry Grove and
adjacent to the Carrington House.
(d) Design of Memorial.--The final design of the Memorial shall be
subject to the approval of the Director.
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