A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS TO the Core Sound WaterFowl Museum and Heritage Center on Harkers Island, North Carolina.
Whereas, the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum and Heritage Center was established in 1992 to support, preserve, and celebrate the way of life and cultural traditions of North Carolina's coastal maritime communities; and
Whereas, the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum and Heritage Center serves as a regional partner and leader in rural heritage tourism development, community preservation, and promotion of North Carolina's traditional arts; and
Whereas, the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum and Heritage Center serves all of eastern North Carolina as a community resource for documenting, preserving, and celebrating traditional communities along the Outer Banks and mainland of eastern North Carolina; and
Whereas, the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum and Heritage Center hosts more than 6,000 school children annually, who come from across North Carolina and beyond to eastern Carteret County to learn about North Carolina's coastal environment and cultural heritage; and
Whereas, the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum and Heritage Center contributes to education, research, philanthropy, and tourism; and
Whereas, there is overwhelming community support for the completion of the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum and Heritage Center; and
Whereas, private donors have contributed 70% of the $3.4 million towards the project; and
Whereas, it is imperative that the State take a lead role to ensure future generations are exposed to the rich heritages and history of North Carolina; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum, a nonprofit corporation, the sum of three hundred fifty thousand dollars ($350,000) for the 2007‑2008 fiscal year to cover costs associated with construction of the exhibits/gallery portion of the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum and Heritage Center and to provide additional staff support for work development, securing programming grants, and annual giving programs for the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum and Heritage Center.
SECTION 2.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2007.