PRIA Logo™
119-s-432119th Congress

Fort Ontario Holocaust Refugee Shelter National Historical Park Establishment Act

Sponsored By: Senator Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]

Introduced

Summary

Would create the Fort Ontario Holocaust Refugee Shelter National Historical Park in New York to preserve and interpret the experience of the 982 refugees housed there during World War II. It would define the park boundary by a named map, set rules for acquiring land, and give the Secretary of the Interior authority to manage the unit and make local partnerships.

Show full summary
  • Local communities and visitors: The park would provide focused interpretation and education about the Fort Ontario refugees and require reasonable public access when projects involve non‑Federal land.
  • State and landowners: Land for the park could be donated, purchased with donated or appropriated funds, or exchanged, but land owned by the State or a political subdivision may only be accepted as a donation.
  • National Park Service and planning: The Secretary would administer the park under the laws that govern National Park System units and complete a general management plan within three fiscal years after funds are made available.

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

New Fort Ontario Holocaust Park

If enacted, this bill would create the Fort Ontario Holocaust Refugee Shelter National Historical Park in New York. It would honor and preserve the story of the 982 refugees housed there from August 1944 to February 1946. The park would not be established until the Secretary of the Interior determines enough land from the official proposed-boundary map (map no. 962/194,681, dated September 2024) has been acquired. Within 30 days of that determination, the Secretary would publish a notice in the Federal Register. The Secretary would run the park under National Park Service laws, could make cooperative agreements for visitor services and to restore historic resources on nearby private land (agreements for private land must provide reasonable public access), and could acquire land by donation, purchase with donated or appropriated funds, or exchange. State-owned land could only be added if donated. Not later than 3 fiscal years after funds are available, the Secretary would complete a general management plan in consultation with New York State. The proposed boundary map would be on file and open for public inspection at NPS offices.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]

NY • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Schumer, Charles E. [D-NY]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 2/5/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
Back to Legislation