The U.S. Senate has greenlit a pivotal step toward bringing the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library to life, thanks to legislation championed by Senator John Hoeven. This bipartisan effort, inspired by the success of the Abraham Lincoln Library, empowers the Department of the Interior to award grants for its establishment while ensuring federal dollars aren’t used for ongoing maintenance. With a funding model that requires private support, this library aims to connect visitors more deeply with Roosevelt’s legacy, right in the landscape that shaped him. The full news release follows below.
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WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven today announced that the U.S. Senate has approved legislation he introduced to support the establishment of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library. Hoeven’s bipartisan, bicameral bill, which is cosponsored by Senators Kevin Cramer, Richard Blumenthal, Martin Heinrich and Mitt Romney in the U.S. Senate and was sponsored by then-Congressman Kelly Armstrong in the U.S. House of Representatives, would:
- Authorize the Department of the Interior to provide grants to establish the presidential library and support the display of materials.
- This legislation follows the model of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, located in Springfield, Ill., which authorized the use of materials and objects relating to Abraham Lincoln, as well as $50 million over five years for its establishment under fiscal year (FY) 2001 appropriations legislation.
- Require the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Foundation to utilize non-Federal funds to provide a 2:1 match for each federal grant awarded.
- Prohibit the use of federal grants for maintenance or operations of the interpretive center.
“As President Teddy Roosevelt proudly claimed, he would not have ascended to the presidency had it not been for his formative years in North Dakota,” said Senator Hoeven. “It is fitting that we establish this presidential library, which will commemorate his life and work, adjacent to the national park that bears his name. Our legislation plays a critical role in making this project a reality, and with Senate passage secured, we will continue our efforts to pass it through Congress and into law.”
“A year and a half from now, North Dakotans and visitors from around the world are going to be able to see the story of our 26th President and our beloved Roughrider while experiencing the actual place that had a large impact on his life and Presidency,” said Senator Cramer. “This legislation is going to help immerse visitors in Theodore Roosevelt’s world as they view artifacts from every era of his life and learn, of course, about his legacy of leadership.”
The bill comes as the latest in Hoeven’s efforts to support the establishment of the presidential library, having worked as a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee to:
