New Jersey § 52:16a-99

§ 52:16a-99.

The Legislature finds and declares that: a. Ellis Island occupies a significant and unique place in America's heritage; it

was the primary United States immigration station from 1892 to 1954 when more than

12 million people passed through the station complex--the greatest surge of migration

in America's history; and today, 40% of Americans can trace their family history

from Ellis Island, which was added to the national park system in 1965 and placed

under the operational supervision of the National Park Service as a part of the Statue

of Liberty National Monument in recognition of its importance in American history,

architecture, and culture. b. The closure of Ellis Island in 1954 resulted in its abandonment and decay; in

1990, following extensive rehabilitation, the Main Building reopened as an immigration

museum and several buildings have been rehabilitated as administrative offices; and

the National Park Service is working with Save Ellis Island, Inc. as the non-profit

partner for implementation of the Ellis Island Institute and conference center, which

is the preferred re-use for the remaining unused buildings on Ellis Island. c. The Ellis Island Institute would be the primary use and would include cultural,

interpretive and educational programs and activities with a policy research center

and administrative and study space; and the associated conference center would host

meetings, retreats and workshops that primarily focus on immigration, world migration,

public health, cultural and ethnic diversity, and family history. d. On May 26, 1998 the Supreme Court of the United States recognized and acknowledged

New Jersey's sovereignty and governmental control over a substantial portion of Ellis

Island, as defined in the Court's opinion; in December 1999 the Governor's Advisory

Committee on the Preservation and Use of Ellis Island issued its final report and

recommendations; and in 2000 Save Ellis Island, Inc. was created in response to the

Governor's advisory committee. e. It is desirable to create a State-level commission, which as an organized body,

on a continuous basis, will: promote the interests of the State of New Jersey and

provide assistance and advice to Save Ellis Island, Inc., its successors and other

interested parties concerning the proposed Ellis Island Institute and its associated

conference center; promote the proposed Ellis Island Institute and its associated

conference center regionally and nationally as an important cultural and private-public

initiative and destination venue; provide recognition for the accomplishments of

the State of New Jersey in the rehabilitation, reuse and protection of cultural and

historic resources on Ellis Island; and prepare reports to the Governor and the Legislature

regarding its findings and recommendations.