Warbird Kid-
It's quite simple (please note the implied sarcasm in my writing). Any member of Congress, whether Representative or Senator, may introduce a piece of "private legislation." Such legislation applies only to a single person or entity, and does not apply as broad, universal law. The law can be a stand-alone bill, or it can be an amendment to another bill. A great example of such a private law that worked and resulted in a Brewster-built Corsair now being slowly restored can be found in the 2005 Defense Department Appropriations Act, enrolled as Public Law 108-375. To save you the trouble, in Title X of the act is this law:
SEC. 1083. TRANSFER OF HISTORIC F3A-1 BREWSTER CORSAIR AIRCRAFT.
(a) Authority to Convey.--The Secretary of the Navy may convey,
without consideration, to Lex Cralley of Princeton Minnesota (in this
section referred to as ``transferee''), all right, title, and interest
of the United States in and to a F3A-1 Brewster Corsair aircraft (Bureau
Number 04634). The conveyance shall be made by means of a deed of gift.
(b) Condition of Aircraft.--The aircraft shall be conveyed under
subsection (a) in its current unflyable, ``as is'' condition. The
Secretary is not required to repair or alter the condition of the
aircraft before conveying ownership of the aircraft.
(c) Conveyance at No Cost to the United States.--The conveyance of
the aircraft under subsection (a) shall be made at no cost to the United
States. Any costs associated with the conveyance and costs of operation
and maintenance of the aircraft conveyed shall be borne by the
transferee.
(d) Additional Terms and Conditions.--The Secretary may require such
additional terms and conditions in connection with a conveyance under
this section as the Secretary considers appropriate to protect the
interests of the United States.
If you know a particular aircraft that you want or believe that you should rightfully have title to, and you happen to be able to persuade your congressman that you're right, and he/she introduces the bill, Congress can just give you the aircraft. As I said... It's quite simple, really.
kevin
p.s.- Seriously, it's a good model for how to do it "right." It's just a really, really long uphill road.