A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to appropriate funds to the marine corps museum of the carolinas.
Whereas, thousands of men and women have proudly served in the United States Marine Corps; and
Whereas, many of these men and women have trained at Camp Lejeune and Marine Corps Air Station New River in Onslow County and Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point in Craven County; and
Whereas, the locations of these training facilities have been beneficial to Onslow and Craven Counties and the surrounding areas, generating millions of dollars for the community and attracting new residents and businesses; and
Whereas, there is strong community support in Onslow and Craven Counties in establishing the Marine Corps Museum of the Carolinas to preserve the history of and pay tribute to these marines; and
Whereas, the museum will promote the Marine Corps' ongoing presence in North Carolina and South Carolina; and
Whereas, the museum will feature exhibits that honor the people who had to be relocated for the establishment of Marine Corps bases and stations in the Carolinas; and
Whereas, the museum will display the contributions made by Carolina marines during all wars, military campaigns, and peacekeeping missions from World War II to the present; and 
Whereas, the museum will serve as a research and education center, as well as a facility for community activities and will provide data regarding the training that took place at Camp Lejeune for women marines, canine units, and the Montford Point Marines, who were the first African‑American marines; and
Whereas, the museum is expected to generate approximately 11.25 million dollars annually through visitor spending; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Marine Corps Museum of the Carolinas, a nonprofit corporation, the sum of four million dollars ($4,000,000) for the 2004‑2005 fiscal year to assist with the construction of a museum to honor the men and women who have served in the United States Marine Corps in the Carolinas.
SECTION 2.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2004.