Speech #880144441

I am gratified that this measure. of which I was sponsor in the House. has now passed and is being referred to the President for final approval. I was asked to introduce this legislation by the New York City National Shrines Advisory Board since all three of these historic landmarks. the Federal Hall National Memorial. Castle Clinton National Monument. and Statue of Liberty National Monument American Museum of Immigration are in my congressional district. I think I would have been honored to introduce the legislation in any event since I. just like each of you. am a descendant of immigrants to whom these areas have particular significance and I feel that I should like to have some little part in its history. When these medals portraying the shrines I have just mentioned have been minted and are purchased by the citizens of this country. each of them will have helped in their restoration. The thousands of visitors to the Worlds Fair in New York will have an opportunity to visit these landmarks which tell the story of our country built in a measure by men and women who came to our shores from all over the world to seek and find the blessings of life. liberty. and the pursuit of happiness. In the final analysis. this is a country of immigrants made eminently successful by the merging of people of diverse antecedents. Completion of the three shrines has been estimated by the National Park Service to cost approximately $5.200.000. Of this sum. congressional action has authorized that the National Park Service can make use of up to $2.600.000 of its budgeted funds amounting to 50 percent of the cost. matching dollar for dollar an equal amount or $2.600.000 when and as the sum is raised by the New York City National Shrines Advisory Board and its cooperating groups.