PUBLIC LAW 106-375—OCT. 27, 2000 114 STAT. 1435 Public Law 106-375 106th Congress An Act To require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in commemoration of the National Museum of the American Indian of the Smithsonian Institution, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the "National Museum of the American Indian Commemorative Coin Act of 2000", or the "American Buffalo Coin Commemorative Coin Act of 2000". SEC. 2. FINDINGS. Congress finds the following: (1) The Smithsonian Institution was established in 1846, with funds bequeathed to the United States by James Smithson for the "increase and diffusion of knowledge". (2) Once established, the Smithsonian Institution became an important part of the process of developing the United States national identity, an ongoing role which continues today. (3) The Smithsonian Institution, which is now the world's largest museum complex, including 16 museums, 4 research centers, and the National Zoo, is visited by millions of Americans and people from all over the world each year. (4) The National Museum of the American Indian of the Smithsonian Institution (hereafter referred to in this section as the "NMAI") was established by an Act of Congress in 1989, in Public Law 101-185. (5) The purpose of the NMAI, as established by Congress, is to— (A) advance the study of Native Americans, including the study of language, literature, history, art, anthropology, and life; (B) collect, preserve, and exhibit Native American objects of artistic, historical, literary, anthropological, and scientific interest; and (C) provide for Native American research and study programs. (6) The NMAI works in cooperation with Native Americans and oversees a collection that spans more than 10,000 years of American history. (7) It is fitting that the NMAI will be located in a place of honor near the United States Capitol, and on the National Mall. Oct. 27, 2000 [H.R. 4259] National Museximofthe American Indian Commemorative Coin Act of 2000. 31 USC 5112 note.
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