101st Congress, 2nd Session H.R. 4660 To authorize the establishment of a memorial at Custer Battlefield National Monument to honor the Indians who fought in the Battle of the Little Bighorn, and for other purposes.

Mr. Marlenee (for himself, Mr. Campbell of Colorado, Mr. Udall, and Mr. Williams) introduced the following bill; which referred to the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs.

To authorize the establishment of a memorial at Custer Battlefield National Monument to honor the Indians who fought in the Battle of the Little Bighorn, 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. FINDINGS.

The Congress finds that--

(1) a monument was erected in 1881 at Last Stand Hill to commemorate the soldiers, scouts, and civilians attached to the 7th United States Cavalry who well in the Battle of the Little Bighorn;

(2) while many members of the Cheyenne, Sioux, and other Indian Nations gave their lives defending their families and traditional lifestyle and livelihood, nothing stands at the battlefield to commemorate those individuals; and

(3) the public interest will best be served by establishing a memorial at the Custer National Battlefield to honor the Indian participants in the battle.

SEC. 2 AUTHORIZATION FOR ESTABLISHMENT OF MEMORIAL

In order to honor and recognize the Indians who fought to preserve their land and culture in the Battle of the Little Bighorn, to provide visitors with an improved understanding of the events leading up to and the consequences of the fateful battle, and to encourage peace and brotherhood among people of all races, the Secretary of the Interior (hereafter in this Act referred to as the "Secretary") is authorized to design, construct, and maintain a memorial at the Custer Battlefield National Monument.

SEC. 3. SITE, DESIGN, AND PLANS FOR MEMORIAL

(a) Site.--The Secretary, in consultation with the Native American Committee of the Custer Battlefield Advisory Committee, is authorized and directed to select a suitable area forthe memorial authorized by section 2. Such area shall comprise approximately 2 acres and shall be located on the ridge in that part of the Little Bighorn Battlefield which is in the vicinity of the 7th United States Cavalry Monument, as generally depicted on a map entitled " ".

(b) Design and Plans.--The Secretary, in conjunction with the Native American Committee of the Custer Battlefield Advisory Committee, is authorized to hole a competition to select the design of the memorial authorized by section 2. The design and plans for the memorial shall be subject to the approval of the Secretary. If the Secretary fails to report his approval of or specific objection to such design and plans within 90 days of their submission, his approval shall be deemed to be given.

SEC. 4. DONATIONS OF FUNDS, PROPERTY, AND SERVICES.

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary may accept and expend donations of funds, property, or services from individuals, foundations, corporations, or public entities for the purpose of providing for the memorial authorized by section 2.

SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

There is authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this Act.