STATEMENT OF CHAD CALVERT, DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY, LAND AND MINERALS MANAGEMENT, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, BEFORE THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON NATIONAL PARKS, RECREATION AND PUBLIC LANDS, HOUSE COMMITTEE ON RESOURCES, CONCERNING H.R. 2424, TO AUTHORIZE ASSISTANCE FOR THE NATIONAL GREAT BLACKS IN WAX MUSEUM AND JUSTICE LEARNING CENTER.

September 30, 2003

Mr. Chairman, thank you for the opportunity to appear before your committee to present the views of the Department of the Interior on H.R. 2424, a bill to authorize assistance for the National Great Blacks in Wax Museum and Justice Learning Center.

H.R. 2424 would authorize assistance for the National Great Blacks in Wax Museum and Justice Learning Center in Baltimore, Maryland, administered by a non-profit group, the Great Blacks in Wax Museum, Inc.  The Museum features wax figures and related interactive educational exhibits that celebrate the history of Black Americans.  The bill authorizes $15 million from the Department of Justice to pay the federal share of the costs of expanding the Museum and creating the Justice Learning Center. 

H.R. 2424 does not appear to provide any role for the Department of the Interior with the National Great Blacks in Wax Museum nor are we aware of any connection this museum has with any national park programs.  We therefore, defer to the Department of Justice for its position on this legislation.

Mr. Chairman, thank you for the opportunity to comment.  This concludes my prepared remarks and I will be happy to answer any questions you or other committee members might have.