Rosie the Riveter

ROSIE GETS HER NATIONAL PARK AS CLINTON SIGNS MILLER'S BILL
Washington, October 25, 2000

The enabling legislation for the park and the actual bill that was signed by
President Clinton are at the bottom of this page.

A new Rosie the Riveter World War II Home Front National Historical Park will rise from the former Kaiser shipyards and other wartime industrial and community sites in Richmond, California as a result of President Clinton having signed into law late last night legislation by Congressman George Miller (D-Martinez) to establish the park.

A pen used in the signing ceremony, together with an embossed copy of the legislation, will be presented to the National Park Service for display in the Park's Visitors' Center, which will be located in the former Ford Assembly Building in Richmond. "I am very pleased that the first national site to fully focus on the enormous contributions and sacrifices of Americans on the Home Front to the victorious WWII effort will be located in Richmond, California," said Miller.

Richmond was selected for the park because it has many intact buildings that were constructed for 56 wartime industries. Its four shipyards produced 747 large ships and set production records. The Home Front changed Richmond from a predominantly white community of 23,600 residents to a diverse population of over 100,000 people within a year. Industries operated around the clock and public housing, schools, day care centers, health care and merchants mobilized to support the new workforce that arrived on the city's doorstep. Fortunately, Richmond's turbulent and productive Home Front years were well chronicled and photographed. "Only two years ago, we authorized the study of the park; today, it is a reality, and it will continue to teach Americans about the importance of these people and this city for generations to come," Miller said.

The presidential action comes on the heels of a ceremony unveiling a memorial in Richmond to the six million women who labored on the Home Front who are symbolized by Rosie the Riveter, on the Richmond waterfront and within the new National Historical Park. Over 700 people, including over a hundred former "Rosies," city leaders, civic activists and Congressman Miller participated in the dedication of the Memorial on October 14th.

Miller said that his bill was greatly aided by the support of Mayor Rosemary Corbin, City Councilman Tom Butt, former City Councilwoman Donna Powers, Project Director Donna Graves, Ray Murray of the National Park Service, and others. Under the terms of the legislation, the National Park Service will work with the local Rosie the Riveter Memorial Project Committee and city officials to restore and maintain key features of the World War II shipbuilding complex including historic buildings, dry docks, and related facilities. The Park Service will provide interpretive services at a variety of sites and operate a Visitor Center in the craneway of the Ford Assembly Building.

The Park will function as a National Park Service National Historical Site. Most of the properties will continue to be owned by the City of Richmond. Miller noted that the designation is part of a broader effort to preserve and commemorate key sites that played a significant part in American history. "Preservation is not only for parks and wilderness areas," said Miller, senior member of the House Resources Committee. "We are also committed to using our resources to preserve historic sites that help tell the story of America's development, and the Rosie the Riveter Home Front National Historical Park will stand as a lasting tribute to these brave women who played such a crucial role in winning the war."

National Park Service Proposes Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front Park in Richmond

In Spring of 1998, then-Councilwoman Donna Powers asked for Congressman George Miller's help in gaining landmark status for the Rosie the Riveter Memorial. She believed that the resulting roadside markers might bring more attention and visitors to the monument to learn about women's experience during WWII. The response to Powers' simple request has grown into an exciting new "Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park," incorporating the former Kaiser Shipyards area along Richmond's waterfront and additional historic resources elsewhere in the city.

As stewards for many of the nation's historic sites, the National Park Service (NPS) was directed by Miller to evaluate the national significance of the Rosie the Riveter Memorial and to make a recommendation on its appropriateness as an affiliated area of the Park Service. NPS staff visited Richmond in December 1998 for a tour of the Memorial site and additional historic structures left from the WWII era. They quickly shared our belief that the exciting history of Richmond's wartime contributions could support an even larger vision than the Rosie the Riveter Memorial.

Over the next year, the Park Service worked with City staff and representatives to develop a proposal for a National Historical Park that will become the premier site for interpreting Home Front America, a chapter of the WWII-experience that the Park Service had not yet been adequately told at any of its other locations. Along with the Rosie the Riveter Memorial, the National Historical Park will include additional historic interpretation along the waterfront and remaining war-time structures such as Kaiser Yard #3, the original Kaiser Field Hospital, workers' housing and two still-operating daycare centers that served workers' children during the war. The craneway of the historic Ford Assembly Building, which will begin renovation later this year, will house the Park's centerpiece - a Home Front Visitor and Education Center using artifacts, exhibitions and new technologies to interpret the contributions of everyday Americans here and across the nation during WWII.

Legislation authorizing the "Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park" was submitted by Congressman Miller and by Senators Boxer and Feinstein in March of 2000 was signed into law by President Bill Clinton the following October. The National Park Service, the City of Richmond, the newly-established Rosie the Riveter Trust, the Richmond Museum of History and other local partners will enter into a general management plan for developing and maintaining the Park. Work began on the design for the Home Front Visitor's Center, with completion targeted for 2002 when the building's renovation is to be finished.

For more on the role of Richmond during World War II and for additional information on the other aspects of the National Park, please go to: Wartime Richmond , Richmond Shipyards and WWII Housing.

H.R. 4063 / Public Law 106-352
Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historical Park Establishment Act of 2000 (Oct. 24, 2000; 114 Stat. 1370; 4 pages)
-CITE-16 USC Sec. 410ggg 01/02/01s-EXPCITE-TITLE 16 - CONSERVATION

CHAPTER 1 - NATIONAL PARKS, MILITARY PARKS, MONUMENTS, AND SEASHORES

SUBCHAPTER LIX-EE - ROSIE THE RIVETER/WORLD WAR II HOME FRONT

NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK

Sec. 410ggg. Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historical Park

-STATUTE-

(a) Establishment

In order to preserve for the benefit and inspiration of the people of the United States as a national historical park certain sites, structures, and areas located in Richmond, California, that
are associated with the industrial, governmental, and citizen efforts that led to victory in World War II, there is established the Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historical Park (in this subchapter referred to as the ''park'').

(b) Areas included

The boundaries of the park shall be those generally depicted on the map entitled ''Proposed Boundary Map, Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historical Park'' numbered 963/80000 and dated May 2000. The map shall be on file and available for public inspection in the appropriate offices of the National Park Service.

-SOURCE-Pub. L. 106-352, Sec. 2, Oct. 24, 2000, 114 Stat. 1370.)

-MISC1-SHORT TITLE

Pub. L. 106-352, Sec. 1, Oct. 24, 2000, 114 Stat. 1370, provided that: ''This Act (enacting this subchapter) may be cited as the 'Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historical Park Establishment Act of 2000'.''

CITE-16 USC Sec. 410ggg-1 01/02/01

-EXPCITE-TITLE 16 - CONSERVATION

CHAPTER 1 - NATIONAL PARKS, MILITARY PARKS, MONUMENTS, AND SEASHORES
SUBCHAPTER LIX-EE - ROSIE THE RIVETER/WORLD WAR II HOME FRONT NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK

-HEAD-Sec. 410ggg-1. Administration of the National Historical Park

-STATUTE-

(a) In general
(1) General administration

The Secretary of the Interior (in this subchapter referred to as the ''Secretary'') shall administer the park in accordance with this subchapter and the provisions of law generally applicable to units of the National Park System, including sections 1, 2, 3, and 4 of this title and sections 461 to 467 of this title.

(2) Specific authorities

The Secretary may interpret the story of Rosie the Riveter and the World War II home front, conduct and maintain oral histories that relate to the World War II home front theme, and provide technical assistance in the preservation of historic properties that support this story.

(b) Cooperative agreements

(1) General agreements

The Secretary may enter into cooperative agreements with the owners of the World War II Child Development Centers, the World War II worker housing, the Kaiser-Permanente Field Hospital, and Fire Station 67A, pursuant to which the Secretary may mark, interpret, improve, restore, and provide technical assistance with respect to the preservation and interpretation of such properties. Such agreements shall contain, but need not be limited to, provisions under which the Secretary shall have the right of access at reasonable times to public portions of the property for interpretive and other purposes, and that no changes or alterations shall be made in the property except by mutual agreement.

(2) Limited agreements

The Secretary may consult and enter into cooperative agreements with interested persons for interpretation and technical assistance with the preservation of -

(A) the Ford Assembly Building;

(B) the intact dry docks/basin docks and five historic structures at Richmond Shipyard )3;

(D) Westshore Park;

(E) the Rosie the Riveter Memorial;

(F) Sheridan Observation Point Park;

(G) the Bay Trail/Esplanade;

(H) Vincent Park; and

(I) the vessel S.S. RED OAK VICTORY, and Whirley Cranes associated with shipbuilding in Richmond.

The Secretary may establish a World War II Home Front Education Center in the Ford Assembly Building. Such center shall include a program that allows for distance learning and linkages to other representative sites across the country, for the purpose of educating the public as to the significance of the site and the World War II Home Front. (d) Use of Federal funds

(1) Non-Federal matching

A) As a condition of expending any funds appropriated to the Secretary for the purposes of the cooperative agreements under subsection (b)(2) of this section, the Secretary shall require that such expenditure must be matched by expenditure of an equal amount of funds, goods, services, or in-kind contributions provided by non-Federal sources. (B) With the approval of the Secretary, any donation of property, services, or goods from a non-Federal source may be considered as a contribution of funds from a non-Federal source for purposes of this paragraph.

(2) Cooperative agreement

Any payment made by the Secretary pursuant to a cooperative agreement under this section shall be subject to an agreement that conversion, use, or disposal of the project so assisted for purposes contrary to the purposes of this subchapter, as determined by the Secretary, shall entitle the United States to reimbursement of the greater of -

(A) all funds paid by the Secretary to such project; or

(B) the proportion of the increased value of the project attributable to such payments, determined at the time of such conversion, use, or disposal.

(e) Acquisition

(1) Ford Assembly Building

The Secretary may acquire a leasehold interest in the Ford Assembly Building for the purposes of operating a World War II Home Front Education Center.

(2) Other facilities

The Secretary may acquire, from willing sellers, lands or interests in the World War II day care centers, the World War II worker housing, the Kaiser-Permanente Field Hospital, and Fire Station 67, through donation, purchase with donated or appropriated funds, transfer from any other Federal agency, or exchange.

(3) Artifacts

The Secretary may acquire and provide for the curation of historic artifacts that relate to the park.

(f) Donations

The Secretary may accept and use donations of funds, property, and services to carry out this subchapter.

(g) General management plan

(1) In general
Not later than 3 complete fiscal years after the date funds are made available, the Secretary shall prepare, in consultation with the City of Richmond, California, and transmit to the Committee on Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate a general management plan for the park in accordance with the provisions of section 1a-7(b) of this title and other applicable law.

(2) Preservation of setting

The general management plan shall include a plan to preserve the historic setting of the Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historical Park, which shall be jointly developed and approved by the City of Richmond.

(3) Additional sites

The general management plan shall include a determination of whether there are additional representative sites in Richmond that should be added to the park or sites in the rest of the
United States that relate to the industrial, governmental, and citizen efforts during World War II that should be linked to and interpreted at the park. Such determination shall consider any information or findings developed in the National Park Service study of the World War II Home Front under section 410ggg-2 of this title.

-SOURCE- Pub. L. 106-352, Sec. 3, Oct. 24, 2000, 114 Stat. 1370.)

-SECREF-SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS

This section is referred to in section 410ggg-3 of this title.

One Hundred Sixth Congress of the United States of America AT THE SECOND SESSION Begun and held at the City of Washington on Monday, the twenty-fourth day of January, two thousand An Act To establish the Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historical Park in the State of California, 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 ``Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historical Park Establishment Act of 2000''.
SEC. 2. ROSIE THE RIVETER/WORLD WAR II HOME FRONT NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK.
(a) Establishment.--In order to preserve for the benefit and inspiration of the people of the United States as a national historical park certain sites, structures, and areas located in Richmond, California, that are associated with the industrial, governmental, and citizen efforts that led to victory in World War II, there is established the Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historical Park (in this Act referred to as the ``park'').
(b) Areas Included.--The boundaries of the park shall be those generally depicted on the map entitled ``Proposed Boundary Map, Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historical Park'' numbered 963/80000 and dated May 2000. The map shall be on file and available for public inspection in the appropriate offices of the National Park Service.
SEC. 3. ADMINISTRATION OF THE NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK.
(a) In General.--
(1) General administration.--The Secretary of the Interior (in this Act referred to as the ``Secretary'') shall administer the park in accordance with this Act and the provisions of law generally applicable to units of the National Park System, including the Act entitled ``An Act to establish a National Park Service, and for other purposes'', approved August 35, 1916 (39 Stat. 535; 16 U.S.C. 1 through 4), and the Act of August 21, 1935 (49 Stat. 666; 16 U.S.C. 461-467).
(2) Specific authorities.--The Secretary may interpret the story of Rosie the Riveter and the World War II home front, conduct and maintain oral histories that relate to the World War II home front theme, and provide technical assistance in the preservation of historic properties that support this story.
(b) Cooperative Agreements.--
(1) General agreements.--The Secretary may enter into cooperative agreements with the owners of the World War II Child Development Centers, the World War II worker housing, the Kaiser- Permanente Field Hospital, and Fire Station 67A, pursuant to which the Secretary may mark, interpret, improve, restore, and provide technical assistance with respect to the preservation and interpretation of such properties. Such agreements shall contain, but need not be limited to, provisions under which the Secretary shall have the right of access at reasonable times to public portions of the property for interpretive and other purposes, and that no changes or alterations shall be made in the property except by mutual agreement.
(2) Limited agreements.--The Secretary may consult and enter into cooperative agreements with interested persons for interpretation and technical assistance with the preservation of--
(A) the Ford Assembly Building;
(B) the intact dry docks/basin docks and five historic structures at Richmond Shipyard #3;
(C) the Shimada Peace Memorial Park;
(D) Westshore Park;
(E) the Rosie the Riveter Memorial;
(F) Sheridan Observation Point Park;
(G) the Bay Trail/Esplanade;
(H) Vincent Park; and
(I) the vessel S.S. RED OAK VICTORY, and Whirley Cranes associated with shipbuilding in Richmond. (c) Education Center.--The Secretary may establish a World War II Home Front Education Center in the Ford Assembly Building. Such center shall include a program that allows for distance learning and linkages to other representative sites across the country, for the purpose of educating the public as to the significance of the site and the World War II Home Front. (d) Use of Federal Funds.-- (1) Non-federal matching.--(A) As a condition of expending any funds appropriated to the Secretary for the purposes of the cooperative agreements under subsection (b)(2), the Secretary shall require that such expenditure must be matched by expenditure of an equal amount of funds, goods, services, or in-kind contributions provided by non-Federal sources. (B) With the approval of the Secretary, any donation of property, services, or goods from a non-Federal source may be considered as a contribution of funds from a non-Federal source for purposes of this paragraph. (2) Cooperative agreement.--Any payment made by the Secretary pursuant to a cooperative agreement under this section shall be subject to an agreement that conversion, use, or disposal of the project so assisted for purposes contrary to the purposes of this Act, as determined by the Secretary, shall entitle the United States to reimbursement of the greater of-- (A) all funds paid by the Secretary to such project; or (B) the proportion of the increased value of the project attributable to such payments, determined at the time of such conversion, use, or disposal. (e) Acquisition.-- (1) Ford assembly building.--The Secretary may acquire a leasehold interest in the Ford Assembly Building for the purposes of operating a World War II Home Front Education Center. (2) Other facilities.--The Secretary may acquire, from willing sellers, lands or interests in the World War II day care centers, the World War II worker housing, the Kaiser-Permanente Field Hospital, and Fire Station 67, through donation, purchase with donated or appropriated funds, transfer from any other Federal agency, or exchange. (3) Artifacts.--The Secretary may acquire and provide for the curation of historic artifacts that relate to the park. (f) Donations.--The Secretary may accept and use donations of funds, property, and services to carry out this Act. (g) General Management Plan.-- (1) In general.--Not later than 3 complete fiscal years after the date funds are made available, the Secretary shall prepare, in consultation with the City of Richmond, California, and transmit to the Committee on Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate a general management plan for the park in accordance with the provisions of section 12(b) of the Act of August 18, 1970 (16 U.S.C. 1a-7(b)), popularly known as the National Park System General Authorities Act, and other applicable law. (2) Preservation of setting.--The general management plan shall include a plan to preserve the historic setting of the Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historical Park, which shall be jointly developed and approved by the City of Richmond. (3) Additional sites.--The general management plan shall include a determination of whether there are additional representative sites in Richmond that should be added to the park or sites in the rest of the United States that relate to the industrial, governmental, and citizen efforts during World War II that should be linked to and interpreted at the park. Such determination shall consider any information or findings developed in the National Park Service study of the World War II Home Front under section 4.
SEC. 4. WORLD WAR II HOME FRONT STUDY. The Secretary shall conduct a theme study of the World War II home front to determine whether other sites in the United States meet the criteria for potential inclusion in the National Park System in accordance with section 8 of Public Law 91-383 (16 U.S.C. 1a-5).
SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
(a) In General.-- (1) Oral histories, preservation, and visitor services.--There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to conduct oral histories and to carry out the preservation, interpretation, education, and other essential visitor services provided for by this Act. (2) Artifacts.--There are authorized to be appropriated $1,000,000 for the acquisition and curation of historical artifacts related to the park. (b) Property Acquisition.--There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to acquire the properties listed in section 3(e)(2). (c) Limitation on Use of Funds for S.S. RED OAK VICTORY.--None of the funds authorized to be appropriated by this section may be used for the operation, maintenance, or preservation of the vessel S.S. RED OAK VICTORY. Speaker of the House of Representatives. Vice President of the United States and President of the Senate.