225th Anniversary

Commemorating the 225th Anniversary of the American Revolution...

New York State began its state-wide commemoration the 225th Anniversary of the American Revolution with Governor George Pataki's proclamation in October 2002.

The Hudson River Valley Institute worked with key members of the New York Congressional delegation to make the 225th Anniversary of the American Revolution a national celebration. Congressmen Maurice Hinchey and Sherwood Boehlert introduced the 225th Anniversary of the American Revolution Commemoration Act, HR 2237 (http://www.theorator.com/bills108/hr2237.html), in the United States House of Representatives and Senator Hillary Clinton introduced S1108(http://www.theorator.com/bills108/s1108.html) in the United Senate to make the idea a reality. On April 7th, 2004, the Senate passed the bill by unanimous consent under the leadership of Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton. The House passed its bill on November 20, 2004. President George W. Bush signed the act into law as PL 108-447 on December 8, 2004. 
 Click here for a PDF of the full text of the bill as provided by the Government Printing Office's website: http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/useftp.cgi?IPaddress=162.140.64.88&filename=publ447.pdf&directory =/diskb/wais/data/108_cong_public_laws 


This is the text of the law: 
 TITLE II-225TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION COMMEMORATION ACT
SEC. 201. SHORT TITLE. 
This title may be cited as the "225th Anniversary of the American Revolution Commemoration Act ". 
SEC. 202. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES. 
(a) FINDINGS.-Congress finds the following:
(1) The American Revolution, inspired by the spirit of liberty and independence among the inhabitants of the original 13 colonies of Great Britain, was an event of global significance having a profound and lasting effect upon American Government,laws, culture, society, and values. 
 (2) The years 2000 through 2008 mark the 225th anniversary of the Revolutionary War.
(3) Every generation of American citizens should have an opportunity to understand and appreciate the continuing legacy of the American Revolution.
(4) This 225th anniversary provides an opportunity to enhance public awareness and understanding of the impact of the American Revolution's legacy on the lives of citizens today.
(5) Although the National Park Service administers battlefields, historical parks, historic sites, and programs that address elements of the story of the American Revolution, there is a need to establish partnerships that link sites and programs.

36 USC note prec. 101. 225th Anniversary of the American Revolution Commemoration Act. 36 USC note prec. 101. 

PUBLIC LAW 108-447-DEC. 8, 2004 118 STAT. 3349 
 administered by the National Park Service with those of other Federal and non-Federal entities in order to place the story of the American Revolution in the broad context of its causes, consequences, and meanings.
(6) The story and significance of the American Revolution can best engage the American people through a national program of the National Park Service that links historic structures and sites, routes, activities, community projects, exhibits, and multimedia materials, in a manner that is both unified and flexible.
(b) PURPOSES.-The purposes of this Act are as follows:
(1) To recognize the enduring importance of the American Revolution in the lives of American citizens today.
(2) To authorize the National Park Service to coordinate, connect, and facilitate Federal and non-Federal activities to commemorate, honor, and interpret the history of the American Revolution, its significance, and its relevance to the shape and spirit of American Government and society.
SEC. 203. 225TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION COMMEMORATION PROGRAM. (a) IN GENERAL.-The Secretary of the Interior (hereinafter in this Act referred to as the ''Secretary'') shall establish a program to be known as the ''225th Anniversary of the American Revolution Commemoration'' (hereinafter in this Act referred to as the ''225th Anniversary''). In administering the 225th Anniversary, the Secretary shall-
(1) produce and disseminate to appropriate persons educational materials, such as handbooks, maps, interpretive guides, or electronic information related to the 225th Anniversary and the American Revolution; 
 (2) enter into appropriate cooperative agreements and memoranda of understanding to provide technical assistance under subsection (c);
(3) assist in the protection of resources associated with the American Revolution;
(4) enhance communications, connections, and collaboration among the National Park Service units and programs related to the Revolutionary War;
(5) expand the research base for American Revolution interpretation and education; and
(6) create and adopt an official, uniform symbol or device for the theme ''Lighting Freedom's Flame: American Revolution, 225th Anniversary'' and issue regulations for its use.
(b) ELEMENTS.-The 225th Anniversary shall encompass the following elements:
(1) All units and programs of the National Park Service determined by the Secretary to pertain to the American Revolution.
2) Other governmental and nongovernmental sites, facilities, and programs of an educational, research, or interpretive nature that are documented to be directly related to the American Revolution.
(3) Through the Secretary of State, the participation of the Governments of the United Kingdom, France, the Netherlands, Spain, and Canada.

Regulations.36 USC note prec. 101.
118 STAT. 3350 PUBLIC LAW 108-447-DEC. 8, 2004
(c) COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS AND MEMORANDA OF UNDERSTANDING.-
To achieve the purposes of this Act and to ensure effective coordination of the Federal and non-Federal elements of the 225th Anniversary with National Park Service units and programs, the Secretary may enter into cooperative agreements and memoranda of understanding with, and provide technical assistance to, the following:
(1) The heads of other Federal agencies, States, units of local government, and private entities.
(2) In cooperation with the Secretary of State, the Governments of the United Kingdom, France, the Netherlands, Spain, and Canada.
(d) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.-There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this Act $500,000 for each of fiscal years 2004 through 2009.
Click here for a pdf link of the law: http://www.hudsonrivervalley.org/themes/pdfs/225thLegislation.pdf

Our own Dr. James M. Johnson testified before the Subcommittee on National Parks, Recreation and Public Lands and the United States House of Representatives in support of the hearing of H.R. 2237, The 225th Anniversary of the American Revolution Commemoration Act on September 14th, 2004. Click here for a transcript of his prepared statement.

Another of our ongoing activities of the Institute that commemorate the 225th Anniversary include our Patriots' Weekend, held each year on the anniversary of significant events in the Hudson River Valley. We've kept photos of the events over the years which we have posted to our online photo gallery.

And for anyone interested in visiting our Revolutionary Historic Sites, the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area has published a new "American Revolution in the Hudson River Valley" map brochure, which covers upper/mid/lower Hudson Valley heritage sites as well as historic trails. In addition to the map listings, many of the sites also have a written description in the brochure. To receive a copy of the map brochure, please send an e-mail message to hrvnha@hvc.rr.com or call 845-473-5199.