Authorizes the establishment of the Fire Island AIDS Memorial at Fire Island National Seashore to honor and remember residents who suffered and died from AIDS, funded by non-federal sources.
Andrew Garbarino
Representative
NY-2
The Fire Island AIDS Memorial Act authorizes the Pines Foundation to establish and maintain the Fire Island AIDS Memorial at Fire Island National Seashore to honor residents who died of AIDS. No federal funds will be used for the Memorial. The Director of the National Park Service can accept and use non-federal funds for the Memorial and approve the final design and location. The purpose of the memorial is to honor and remember residents of Fire Island Pines and Cherry Grove, New York, who suffered and died from AIDS, and to educate future generations about the AIDS epidemic and its impact on Fire Island communities in New York.
Fire Island AIDS Memorial Gets Green Light on National Seashore Land, Using Private Funds
This bill, the "Fire Island AIDS Memorial Act," gives the official go-ahead for a memorial to be built within the Fire Island National Seashore. Its purpose is twofold: to honor the residents of Fire Island Pines and Cherry Grove who were lost during the AIDS epidemic and to educate future visitors about that history. The project would be spearheaded by the Pines Foundation, a non-federal entity.
Setting the Ground Rules: Who Builds, Who Pays?
The legislation specifically authorizes the Pines Foundation, not the federal government, to establish and maintain the memorial. Critically, the bill explicitly states that no federal funds can be used for the memorial's design, construction, or ongoing upkeep. However, it does allow the Director of the National Park Service (NPS) to accept private donations specifically for the memorial project. This means the funding burden falls entirely on non-governmental sources.
Location and Oversight
The bill suggests a potential spot for the memorial: along the walkway connecting Fire Island Pines and Cherry Grove, near the historic Carrington House. However, the final say on both the location and the memorial's design rests with the Director of the National Park Service. They have the authority to approve the final plans, ensuring it aligns with the standards and management of the National Seashore.