FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.

SECTION 1. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES. (a) Findings.—The Congress finds that— (1) the nineteenth century American westward movement was an important cultural event in shaping the postcolonial history of the United States; (2) the nineteenth century American westward movement consisted of journeys along a system of trails across the American continent by pioneers, explorers, religious groups, and scientists; and (3) additional recognition and interpretation is appropriate in light of the national scope of the nineteenth century American westward movement. (b) Purposes.—The purposes of this Act are— (1) to recognize the system of western trails established in furtherance of the National Trails System Act because of their national historic and cultural significance; and (2) to provide the public with an interpretive facility devoted to the vital role of the western trails in the development of the United States.