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119-s-3490119th Congress

National Historical Park and National Historic Landmark Establishment and Boundary Adjustments Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Senator Hawley, Josh [R-MO]

Passed Senate

Summary

Would create the Fort Ontario Holocaust Refugee Shelter National Historical Park to protect and interpret sites tied to the 982 World War II refugees who lived at Fort Ontario. Establishment is tied to a Secretary of the Interior finding that enough land from the bill's proposed boundary has been acquired and a subsequent Federal Register notice.

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  • Families and educators: Provides a federal site focused on the 982 refugees who lived at Fort Ontario from August 1944 through February 1946, supporting education and public remembrance.
  • National Park Service: Directs the Secretary to manage the park under federal park laws and allows land acquisition by donation, purchase with donated or appropriated funds, or exchange.
  • State and local governments: Allows cooperative agreements with state, local, and private partners for interpretation and restoration, and limits transfers of State-owned land inside the boundary to donation only.
  • Planning and public access: Requires the Secretary, after funds are made available, to finish a general management plan within three fiscal years and permits agreements that provide reasonable public access to nearby non-Federal resources.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Churchill Museum would become landmark

This bill would name America’s National Churchill Museum at Westminster College as a National Historic Landmark. The Secretary would be able to work with the State, the City, and the College to protect the site and offer education and interpretive programs. The Secretary would be able to give technical and financial help to partners under those agreements. A special resource study would begin once funds are provided, and a report to Congress would be due within three years of funding. The study would judge national significance, look at options and costs, and consult the public and stakeholders. The designation would not limit what private owners can do or change who runs the site today.

Fort Ontario refugee park would open

This bill would create the Fort Ontario Holocaust Refugee Shelter National Historical Park in New York. It would start after the Secretary decides enough land from map 962/194,681 (dated September 2024) is acquired to run a park unit. The Secretary would then publish a notice in the Federal Register within 30 days. The park would protect and explain the stories of 982 World War II refugees housed at Fort Ontario from August 1944 to February 1946. The Secretary would be able to accept donated land, buy land with donated or appropriated funds, or exchange land within the boundary. State or local land would be added only by donation. A general management plan would be finished within three fiscal years after money is provided. The Secretary would be able to sign cooperative agreements, including help on nearby non‑Federal sites, if the public can reasonably visit them.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Hawley, Josh [R-MO]

MO • R

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 12/16/2025

  • Sen. Schumer, Charles E. [D-NY]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 12/16/2025

  • Sen. Schmitt, Eric [R-MO]

    MO • R

    Sponsored 12/16/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
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