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S. 887 105th Congress Senate

National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Act of 1997

Official title: A bill to establish in the National Park Service the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom program, and for other purposes.

Introduced: September 3, 1997 See on congress.gov
Public Lands and Natural Resources American technical assistanceBlack historyCanadaCaribbean area
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Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority IssuesCommemorationsGovernment Operations and PoliticsGovernment publicityHistoric sitesHistoryInternational AffairsLatin AmericaMexicoMinoritiesNational parksSigns and symbolsSlaveryUnderground movements
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This bill died when the 105th Congress ended
It never became law before the 105th Congress (1997–1998) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 9 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jun 12, 1998
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 415.
Jun 12, 1998
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported to Senate by Senator Murkowski without amendment. With written report No. 105-217.
May 13, 1998
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
Apr 30, 1998
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources requested executive comment from Department of the Interior, and Office of Management and Budget.
Mar 24, 1998
Subcommittee on Parks, Preservation and Recreation. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 105-491.
Jun 12, 1997
Referred to Subcommittee on Parks, Preservation and Recreation.
Jun 11, 1997
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Jun 11, 1997
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S5540)
Jun 11, 1997
Introduced in Senate
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 Latest action June 12, 1998

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 415.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Act of 1997 - Requires the Secretary of the Interior to establish in the National Park Service (NPS) a program to be known as the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom under which the Secretary shall: (1) produce and disseminate educational materials about the Railroad; (2) provide technical assistance to other government agencies, private entities, or the Governments of Canada, Mexico, or any appropriate Caribbean country to ensure coordination of Federal and non-Federal elements of the Network; and (3) regulate use of an official symbol for the Network.

Includes within the Network: (1) NPS units or programs pertaining to the Underground Railroad; (2) Federal, State, local, or privately-owned properties pertaining to the Railroad that have a verifiable connection to it and that are included or eligible for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places; and (3) governmental or nongovernmental facilities or programs of educational, research, or interpretive natures that are directly related to such Railroad.

Authorizes appropriations.

 Related & companion bills 1
  • HR 1635 National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Act of 1998
 Bill text 2 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
 Cosponsors 3
All 3 Democratic 2 Republican 1
R
Collins, Susan M.
Maine · Sep 29, 1997
 D
Durbin, Richard J.
Illinois · Sep 3, 1997
 D
Murray, Patty
Washington · Sep 3, 1997
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 887: National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Act of 1997. 105th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/105-S-887/
MLA
"S. 887: National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Act of 1997." 105th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/105-S-887/.
Bluebook (legal)
S. 887, 105th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/105-S-887/.
Markdown link
[S. 887: National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Act of 1997](https://openamerica.io/bill/105-S-887/)
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