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H.R. 5401 96th Congress House

National Center of Afro-American History and Culture Act

Official title: A bill to provide for a National Afro-American History and Culture Commission, which shall establish the National Center of Afro-American History and Culture, and for other purposes.

Introduced: September 25, 1979 See on congress.gov
Arts, Culture, Religion Advisory bodiesBlack historyCultural centersHistoric sitesOhio
This bill died when the 96th Congress ended
It never became law before the 96th Congress (1979–1980) 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 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Sep 25, 1979
Referred to House Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs.
Sep 25, 1979
Referred to House Committee on Education and Labor.
Sep 25, 1979
Introduced in House
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 Latest action September 25, 1979

Referred to House Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

National Center of Afro-American History and Culture Act - Establishes the National Afro-American History and Culture Commission which shall: (1) be responsible for the development of a definitive plan for the construction and operation of the National Center for Afro-American History and Culture; and (2) solicit subscriptions of funds from private sources to help meet costs of the construction, furnishing, and operation of the center, including the costs of acquiring works of art and artifacts.

Allows the Commission to: (1) acquire by gift, purchase with appropriated or donated funds, transfer from any Federal or State agency, exchange, or otherwise acquire suitable land and interest in land in the vicinity of Wilberforce, Ohio, for the location of the headquarters of the center; (2) acquire appropriate works of art and any other real or personal property necessary for the establishment and operation of the center; and (3) sell, exchange, or otherwise dispose of any property acquired and designate any proceeds from such disposal for the benefit of the center.

Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to acquire by donation or purchase with donated or appropriated funds the Colonel Charles Young Home and adjacent lands in Wilberforce, Ohio, not to exceed 80 acres, which when acquired shall be known as the Wilberforce National Historic Site.

 Related & companion bills 1
 Committees of jurisdiction 2
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 5401: National Center of Afro-American History and Culture Act. 96th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/96-HR-5401/
MLA
"H.R. 5401: National Center of Afro-American History and Culture Act." 96th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/96-HR-5401/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 5401, 96th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/96-HR-5401/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 5401: National Center of Afro-American History and Culture Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/96-HR-5401/)
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