Congressional Record, Volume 146 Issue 98 (Tuesday, July 25, 2000)

[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 98 (Tuesday, July 25, 2000)]
[House]
[Pages H6860-H6864]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

NATIONAL UNDERGROUND RAILROAD FREEDOM CENTER ACT

Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 2919) to promote preservation and public awareness of the
history of the Underground Railroad by providing financial assistance,
to the Freedom Center in Cincinnati, Ohio, as amended.
The Clerk read as follows:

H.R. 2919

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``National Underground
Railroad Freedom Center Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.

(a) Findings.--Congress finds that--
(1) the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
(hereinafter ``Freedom Center'') was founded in 1995;
(2) the objectives of the Freedom Center are to interpret
the history of the Underground Railroad through development
of a national cultural institution in Cincinnati, Ohio, that
will house an interpretive center, including museum,
educational, and research facilities, all dedicated to
communicating to the public the importance of the quest for
human freedom which provided the foundation for the historic
and inspiring story of the Underground Railroad;
(3) the city of Cincinnati has granted exclusive
development rights for a prime riverfront location to the
Freedom Center;
(4) the Freedom Center will be a national center linked
through state-of-the-art technology to Underground Railroad
sites and facilities throughout the United States and to a
constituency that reaches across the United States, Canada,
Mexico, the Caribbean and beyond; and
(5) the Freedom Center has reached an agreement with the
National Park Service to pursue a range of historical and
educational cooperative activities related to the Underground
Railroad, including but not limited to assisting the National
Park Service in the implementation of the National
Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Act.
(b) Purposes.--The purposes of this Act are--
(1) to promote preservation and public awareness of the
history of the Underground Railroad;
(2) to assist the Freedom Center in the development of its
programs and facilities in Cincinnati, Ohio; and
(3) to assist the National Park Service in the
implementation of the National Underground Railroad Network
to Freedom Act (16 U.S.C. 469l).

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

In this Act:
(1) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of the Interior.
(2) Project budget.--The term ``project budget'' means the
total amount of funds expended by the Freedom Center on
construction of its facility, development of its programs and
exhibits, research, collection of informative and educational
activities related to the history of the Underground
Railroad, and any administrative activities necessary to the
operation of the Freedom Center, prior to the opening of the
Freedom Center facility in Cincinnati, Ohio.
(3) Federal share.--The term ``Federal share'' means an
amount not to exceed 20 percent of the project budget and
shall include all amounts received from the Federal
Government under this legislation and any other Federal
programs.
(4) Non-federal share.--The term ``non-Federal share''
means all amounts obtained by the Freedom Center for the
implementation of its facilities and programs from any source
other than the Federal Government, and shall not be less than
80 percent of the project budget.
(5) The freedom center facility.--The term ``the Freedom
Center facility'' means the facility, including the building
and surrounding site, which will house the museum and
research institute to be constructed and developed in
Cincinnati, Ohio, on the site described in section 4(c).

SEC. 4. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

(a) Program Authorized.--From sums appropriated pursuant to
the authority of subsection (d) in any fiscal year, the
Secretary is authorized and directed to provide financial
assistance to the Freedom Center, in order to pay the Federal
share of the cost of authorized activities described in
section 5.
(b) Expenditure on Non-Federal Property.--The Secretary is
authorized to expend appropriated funds under subsection (a)
of this section to assist in the construction of the Freedom
Center facility and the development of programs and exhibits
for that facility which will be funded primarily through
private and non-Federal funds, on property owned by the city
of Cincinnati, Hamilton County, and the State of Ohio.
(c) Description of the Freedom Center Facility Site.--The
facility referred to in subsections (a) and (b) will be
located on a site described as follows: a 2-block area south
of new South Second, west of Walnut Street, north of
relocated Theodore M. Berry Way, and east of Vine Street in
Cincinnati, Ohio.
(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized
to be appropriated $16,000,000 for the 4 fiscal year period
beginning October 1, 1999. Funds not to exceed that total
amount may be appropriated in 1 or more of such fiscal years.
Funds shall not be disbursed until the Freedom Center has
commitments for a minimum of 50 percent of the non-Federal
share.
(e) Availability of Funds.--Notwithstanding any other
provision of law, funds appropriated to carry out the
provisions of this Act shall remain available for obligation
and expenditure until the end of the fiscal year succeeding
the fiscal year for which the funds were appropriated.
(f) Other Provisions.--Any grant made under this Act shall
provide that--
(1) no change or alteration may be made in the Freedom
Center facility except with the agreement of the property
owner and the Secretary;
(2) the Secretary shall have the right of access at
reasonable times to the public portions of the Freedom Center
facility for interpretive and other purposes; and
(3) conversion, use, or disposal of the Freedom Center
facility for purposes contrary to the purposes of this Act,
as determined by the Secretary, shall result in a right of
the United States to compensation equal to the greater of--
(A) all Federal funds made available to the grantee under
this Act; or
(B) the proportion of the increased value of the Freedom
Center facility attributable to such funds, as determined at
the time of such conversion, use, or disposal.

SEC. 5. AUTHORIZED ACTIVITIES.

(a) In General.--The Freedom Center may engage in any
activity related to its objectives addressed in section 2(a),
including, but not limited to, construction of the Freedom
Center facility, development of programs and exhibits related
to the history of the Underground Railroad, research,
collection of information and artifacts and educational
activities related to the history of the Underground
Railroad, and any administrative activities necessary to the
operation of the Freedom Center.
(b) Priorities.--The Freedom Center shall give priority
to--
(1) construction of the Freedom Center facility;
(2) development of programs and exhibits to be presented in
or from the Freedom Center facility; and
(3) providing assistance to the National Park Service in
the implementation of the National Underground Railroad
Network to Freedom Act (16 U.S.C. 469l).

[[Page H6861]]

SEC. 6. APPLICATION.

(a) In General.--The Freedom Center shall submit an
application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner,
and containing or accompanied by such information as the
Secretary may reasonably require. Each application shall--
(1) describe the activities for which assistance is sought;
(2) provide assurances that the non-Federal share of the
cost of activities of the Freedom Center shall be paid from
non-Federal sources, together with an accounting of costs
expended by the Freedom Center to date, a budget of costs to
be incurred prior to the opening of the Freedom Center
facility, an accounting of funds raised to date, both Federal
and non-Federal, and a projection of funds to be raised
through the completion of the Freedom Center facility.
(b) Approval.--The Secretary shall approve the application
submitted pursuant to subsection (a) unless such application
fails to comply with the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 7. REPORTS.

The Freedom Center shall submit an annual report to the
appropriate committees of the Congress not later than January
31, 2000, and each succeeding year thereafter for any fiscal
year in which Federal funds are expended pursuant to this
Act. The report shall--
(1) include a financial statement addressing the Freedom
Center's costs incurred to date and projected costs, and
funds raised to date and projected fundraising goals;
(2) include a comprehensive and detailed description of the
Freedom Center's activities for the preceding and succeeding
fiscal years; and
(3) include a description of the activities taken to assure
compliance with this Act.

SEC. 8. AMENDMENT TO THE NATIONAL UNDERGROUND RAILROAD
NETWORK TO FREEDOM ACT OF 1998.

The National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Act of
1998 (112 Stat. 679; 16 U.S.C. 4691 and following) is amended
by adding at the end the following:

``SEC. 4. PRESERVATION OF HISTORIC SITES OR STRUCTURES.

``(a) Authority to Make Grants.--The Secretary of the
Interior may make grants in accordance with this section for
the preservation and restoration of historic buildings or
structures associated with the Underground Railroad, and for
related research and documentation to sites, programs, or
facilities that have been included in the national network.
``(b) Grant Conditions.--Any grant made under this section
shall provide that--
``(1) no change or alteration may be made in property for
which the grant is used except with the agreement of the
property owner and the Secretary;
``(2) the Secretary shall have the right of access at
reasonable times to the public portions of such property for
interpretive and other purposes; and
``(3) conversion, use, or disposal of such property for
purposes contrary to the purposes of this Act, as determined
by the Secretary, shall result in a right of the United
States to compensation equal to all Federal funds made
available to the grantee under this Act.
(e) Matching Requirement.--The Secretary may obligate funds
made available for a grant under this section only if the
grantee agrees to match, from funds derived from non-Federal
sources, the amount of the grant with an amount that is equal
to or greater than the grant. The Secretary may waive the
requirement of the preceding sentence with respect to a grant
if the Secretary determines that an extreme emergency exists
or that such a waiver is in the public interest to assure the
preservation of historically significant resources.
(d) Funding.--There are authorized to be appropriated to
the Secretary for purposes of this section $2,500,000 for
fiscal year 2001 and each subsequent fiscal year. Amounts
authorized but not appropriated in a fiscal year shall be
available for appropriation in subsequent fiscal years.''.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Utah (Mr. Hansen) and the gentleman from California (Mr. George Miller)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Hansen).
Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2919 sponsored by the gentleman from Ohio (Mr.
Portman) would bring financial assistance to the Freedom Center in
Cincinnati, Ohio in order to promote preservation and public awareness
of the history of the Underground Railroad. The gentleman from Ohio
(Mr. Portman) is to be commended for working very hard to bring all the
parties together in order to move this measure forward.
The Freedom Center would interpret the history of the Underground
Railroad and link the many Underground Railroad sites to a national
center in keeping with the National Underground Railroad Network to
Freedom Act.
From the end of the 18th century to the end of the civil war, the
Underground Railroad flourished, symbolizing the ideal of freedom. In
1995, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center was founded in
Cincinnati to interpret the history of the Underground Railroad by
bringing together exhibits that linked the scattered Underground
Railroad sites through state-of-the-art technology.
The Freedom Center is the first public-private partnership with the
National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Act to coordinate the
sites and activities within the National Park Service. This bill helps
to complete the network of the various network sites of the Underground
Railroad.
I would like to commend again the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Portman)
for his efforts to ensure that the Underground Railroad's legacy is
preserved and enhanced for all Americans to study and draw inspiration
from.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2919, as amended.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such
time as I may consume.
(Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California asked and was given permission to
revise and extend his remarks.)
Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of
this legislation by the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Portman). This is
follow-on legislation to the legislation that we passed to establish a
National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom program and will
provide for the construction of a facility known as the Freedom Center
in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Ohio
(Mr. Portman), and I would just like to add that the gentleman worked
extremely hard on this bill, and through his good works, we now have
this legislation ready to be passed.
Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Utah (Mr.
Hansen) for yielding this time to me to speak about H.R. 2919. I want
to thank him personally for the effort he has put into this. Simply
put, we would not have been on the floor today without his help in the
subcommittee and the full committee, and over the last 2 years giving
me guidance and support.
I also want to commend the gentlewoman from Cleveland, Ohio (Mrs.
Jones), my colleague on the other side of the aisle, who is an original
cosponsor of this bill and who has put in a lot of hard work and has a
real personal commitment to commemorating the Underground Railroad
history.
I also want to thank, of course, the chairman of the Committee on
Resources, the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young); and the ranking
member, the gentleman from California (Mr. George Miller); as well as
the ranking member of the Subcommittee on National Parks and Public
Lands, the gentleman from Puerto Rico (Mr. Romero-Barcelo); and the
subcommittee staff and committee staff who worked with us diligently
over the last couple of years on this project.
What has become known, Mr. Speaker, as the Underground Railroad was a
system of cooperation among African-American slaves, freed slaves,
abolitionists, and other sympathetic whites to help slaves escape
bondage and obtain freedom. Two years ago, this Congress overwhelmingly
approved the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Act,
legislation that joined together for the first time the historic sites
all around the country in a network administered by the National Park
Service. That legislation was a start in promoting the preservation of
historic sites and increased public awareness of this remarkable
chapter in our Nation's history.
Now, before us today, Congress has the opportunity to build on that
start and to do more, to take the next step toward preserving
endangered Underground Railroad sites and toward educating future
generations of Americans about this remarkable story of cooperation and
reconciliation.
The legislation takes two important steps: first, it authorizes
limited Federal matching funds for the National Underground Railroad
Freedom Center, the National Interpretive Museum, which is being
developed on the river front in Cincinnati, Ohio. This is a very

[[Page H6862]]

exciting undertaking that takes the best thinking nationally, including
working with the National Park Service and working with the
Smithsonian, and also uses state-of-the-art technology and private
sector creative resources to communicate real uplifting Underground
Railroad stories to underscore the value of freedom and the importance
of cooperation.
Second, this legislation authorizes the Department of the Interior to
provide funds directly to endangered or threatened Underground Railroad
sites nationwide, to ensure that these vital historic sites will be
preserved for future generations.
Mr. Speaker, I believe that preserving these sites and telling the
story of the Underground Railroad is a noble and very important
mission. At a time when the news is all too often filled with stories
of racial tension and misunderstanding, we need positive examples and
hopeful role models that encourage understanding, cooperation, respect,
and reconciliation. I urge my colleagues to reaffirm their support
today and to commemorate this important part of our Nation's heritage
by passing the bill before us.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2919, the National
Underground Railroad Freedom Center Act. And I'd like to commend my
colleague from Ohio and the original cosponsor of this bill--Stephanie
Tubbs Jones--for her hard work on this bill and her personal commitment
to commemorating the history of the Underground Railroad movement. I'd
also like to thank House Resources Chairman Don Young and Ranking
Member George Miller--along with Parks Subcommittee Chairman Jim Hansen
and Ranking Member Carlos Romero-Barcelo, and the subcommittee and
committee staff--for their support.
Mr. Speaker, the Underground Railroad was a system of cooperation
among African-American slaves, free African-Americans, abolitionists
and other sympathetic whites to help slaves escape their bonds and
obtain freedom. Two years ago, Congress overwhelmingly approved the
National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Act, legislation that
joined together, for the first time, the historic sites of the
Underground Railroad in a network administered by the National Park
Service. That legislation was a start in promoting the preservation of
historic sites and increased public awareness of this remarkable
chapter in our nation's history.
Now, Congress has the opportunity to build on the Network to Freedom
Act--to take the next step toward preserving endangered Underground
Railroad sites and educating future generations of Americans about this
remarkable story of cooperation and reconciliation.
This legislation takes two important steps. First, it authorizes
limited matching Federal funding for the National Underground Railroad
Freedom Center--the national museum being developed on the riverfront
in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Second, it authorizes the Interior Department to provide funds
directly to endangered or threatened Underground Railroad sites
nationwide-to ensure that these vital historic sites will be preserved
for future generations. Let me talk briefly about each of those
components of the bill.

freedom center funding

The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center will be a national
education and distributive museum center located on the Ohio River,
scheduled to open in 2003. The mission of the Freedom Center will be to
dramatize the Underground Railroad's stories of cooperation and courage
to better educate and inspire us in our lives today.
It is an exciting undertaking that is taking the best thinking
nationally and using state of the art technology and private sector
creative resources to communicate real, uplifting Underground Railroad
stories to underscore the value of freedom and the importance of
cooperation. Importantly, the Freedom Center is working closely with
the National Park Service as well as the Smithsonian in developing the
project.
As a distributive educational museum, the Freedom Center will also
establish regional centers, or ``freedom stations,'' in other areas of
the country, especially those that are significant to the Underground
Railroad, both in the North and the South. Many of these regional
centers will partner with local Underground Railroad sites, linking
them with other sites across the country and disseminating information.
Last year, under the able leadership of subcommittee chairman Ralph
Regula of Ohio, Congress appropriated $1 million in initial
construction funding for the Freedom Center. The legislation we are
considering today authorizes $16 million over 4 years for construction
of the Freedom Center. I want to make it clear that this federal role
is a relatively small part of the overall funding, and all of it is
subject to non-Federal funds being raised. In fact, because the Freedom
Center has created an innovative public/private partnership, the
funding for this initiative involves the lowest percentage of federal
matching funds of any of the national museums.
Most other national museums have raised only one-third to one-half of
construction and/or operating from non-Federal sources. However, the
non-Federal role in the Freedom Center would exceed 80 percent. But I
want to make the point that, though limited, these federal funds are
extremely important because they are used to leverage additional funds
from the private sector.
The Freedom Center has already raised $36 million toward its goal of
$90 million. And, an aggressive private sector funding campaign will
provide a significant portion of the remaining $54 million.
Incidentally, in addition to funding for construction, technology, and
exhibit design and installation, the goal of $90 million includes an
operating endowment of $10 million.

preserving threatened urr sites

The second key component of this legislation is an authorization for
the Secretary of the Interior, through the Park Service, to provide
$2.5 million annually for the preservation of historic Underground
Railroad sites nationwide--particularly endangered or threatened sites
that might otherwise be lost.
These grants would be available to any historical site that meets the
criteria for inclusion on the National Underground Railroad Network to
Freedom that Congress established two years ago.
Unfortunately, as community groups around the country will tell you,
many Underground Railroad sites have already been lost. And, many other
sites do not qualify for inclusion on the National Register of Historic
Places because the structures have been altered or may have
deteriorated over time.
We can't afford to lose any more of these historic sites. And this
grant money is key to proper recognition and preservation of the
Underground Railroad.
I believe preserving these sites and telling the story of the
Underground Railroad is a noble and important mission. At a time when
the news is too often filled with stories of racial tension and
misunderstanding, we need positive examples and hopeful role models
that encourage understanding, cooperation, respect and reconciliation.
I urge my colleagues to reaffirm their support for commemorating this
important part of our nation's heritage by passing H.R. 2919 today.
Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from New
York (Mr. Crowley).
Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2919, the
National Underground Railroad Freedom Center Act.
This bipartisan legislation, offered by the gentleman from Ohio (Mr.
Portman) and the gentlewoman from Ohio (Mrs. Jones), will accomplish
two important goals in the preservation and commemoration of the
Underground Railroad.
I would also like to thank the chairman of the Committee on
Resources, the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young); and the ranking
member, the gentleman from California (Mr. George Miller); for working
together to forge a compromise and bring this bill to the floor, a bill
that meets the needs of protecting and enshrining the history of the
Underground Railroad. I was happy to play a minor role in moving this
bill through committee.
This legislation will allow the creation of the National Underground
Railroad Freedom Center in Ohio. The center will be dedicated to
communicating to the public the importance of the quest for human
freedom that provided the foundation for the historic and inspiring
story of the Underground Railroad.
Additionally, this legislation will create a $2.5 million annual
program to preserve and restore historic properties associated with the
Underground Railroad throughout our Nation. The Underground Railroad,
which consisted of a number of routes leading from deep Southern
States, like Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, to free States in the
North, like Ohio, Pennsylvania, and my home State of New York, was made
up of safe houses where slaves who escaped could rest, get fed, and hid
from those people who were seeking to return them to a life of slavery.
The creation of the Freedom Center, as well as the new Federal
investment in other sites involved in the history of the Underground
Railroad, will play a key role in educating our diverse society about
slavery, the origins of the abolitionist movement, and the story of
African Americans in the early years of our Republic.

[[Page H6863]]

Again, I am pleased that the committee has been able to work out a
compromise that will benefit our Nation's history and allow for the
protection and preservation of many more Underground Railroad sites. I
ask all Members to support this legislation.
Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as
she may consume to the gentlewoman from Ohio (Mrs. Jones).
(Mrs. JONES of Ohio asked and was given permission to revise and
extend her remarks.)
Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2919. This
opportunity is of particular significance because today one of the
finest gentlemen of the House, a true statesman, my predecessor, the
gentleman from Ohio, the Honorable Louis Stokes, is on the floor. And
it is significant that I have the opportunity to continue his legacy by
having an opportunity to speak on legislation that was part of his
original work here in the House of Representatives, the underground
railroad.
I want to thank the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young), the gentleman
from California (Mr. George Miller), and the gentleman from Ohio (Mr.
Portman) for their hard work and dedication. The Freedom Center Act
will help establish the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in
Cincinnati, Ohio. The goal of the center is to preserve and promote the
legacy of the underground railroad. The core feature will be its
preservation of stories of the underground railroad in an interactive
state of the art technology link to existing underground railroad
sites.
The freedom center's mission is to educate the public about the
historic struggle to abolish human slavery and secure freedom for all
people. The museum will be the first of its kind in the Nation and
Cincinnati is an ideal location because of its prominence in the
underground railroad movement.
To preserve the legacy of the underground railroad, it is important
that we think back, that some estimates say 40,000 slaves escaped via
the railroad system in 22 States. According to the Ohio Humanities
Council, Ohio has more underground railroad lines than any other State,
numbering almost 150 sites.
H.R. 2919 supports this collaborative by, among other things, making
grants for the preservation and restoration of historic buildings or
structures associated with the underground railroad across this Nation.
I rise today to build upon the work of the Honorable Louis Stokes and
the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Portman) and I thank my colleagues for
this opportunity to be heard.
Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the
gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Kingston).
Mr. KINGSTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2919, the
National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom. As we all know and as
has been discussed previously, this is a way to preserve and link the
underground railroad sites nationwide for the first time within the
National Park Service.
I am a member of the Subcommittee on Interior of the Committee on
Appropriations, and this is something that we do have concern about.
This bill is designed to protect and preserve the stories and the
tales and the reality of the endangered sites of the underground
railroad for future generations, and we believe that it is a story that
should be told for future generations.
Last week, I joined Mr. Davis and Mr. Lewis and the gentleman from
Oklahoma (Mr. Watts) to make an announcement about a resolution that we
have urging the Speaker of the House to name a study committee to make
recommendations on how this House can commemorate the fact that the
United States Capitol was partially built with slave labor, 400 slaves
to be exact.
As we in this country get together to reconcile racial differences, I
believe an important component is to talk about our mutual history. It
does seem like we have carefully, for many years, many decades, side
stepped the issue of slavery in the construction of this great country.
In Georgia, for example, where I am from, Savannah, Georgia, 1733, when
it was founded, slavery was against the law, but as time progressed,
economic pressure brought in slavery. Yet, as I look back to the
history of my great State and the other States, certainly along the
East Coast and then many as we expanded West, slaves were there helping
build our country, all the way.
So I do not think we should be afraid to discuss this. I do not think
it should be side stepped. I think we owe it to Americans, African
Americans, Native Americans, Asian, Hispanic, white and black together
to discuss this. I think it is something that we owe to our society.
So I am a supporter of this legislation, because it is long since
that we are saying let us go back and honor the social and humanitarian
movement to resist slavery in the United States prior to the Civil War
and this, of course, was not something that just happened for a short
period of time but went on for many years from about the 1830's to
1865.
It spanned more than 22 States and crossed all the way into the
Mexican and Canadian borders.
Mr. Speaker, I believe that if we have a National Underground
Railroad Freedom Center, it will help educate the public about the
human struggle to abolish slavery and secure the freedom of all people.
So I am a supporter of it and I urge Members of the House to vote for
it.
Mr. SOUDER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge support for this bill
sponsored by my friend, the gentleman from Ohio. I believe the bill he
has worked so diligently on is fundamental to re-discovering,
preserving, and trumpeting the important contribution of the
Underground Railroad in chipping away at the institution of slavery.
I am a cosponsor of this bill, which will provide funding to
establish the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in
Cincinnati, Ohio. It is important to keep in mind that only 20 percent
of total funding for the Freedom Center will come from the Federal
Government--the lion's share of funding will be from private and local
sources.
This important Center--the first of its kind in the nation--will be a
clearinghouse for the education, collection, and dissemination of
information on the Underground Railroad.
The Underground Railroad spanned 29 states, and is known for its role
in the mid-1800s movement of enslaved African Americans seeking freedom
from bondage in the South. For the slaves who had the courage and
determination to free themselves, the Underground Railroad network
provided shelter, food, supplies, transport, and discretion, which was
invaluable during the dangerous journey to freedom.
The history of the Underground Railroad tells a story of strong
determination of those who were dedicated to the freedom of a people.
It also tells a story of very special collaborations between people
of diverse racial, cultural, and religious backgrounds. Without modern
methods of communication--telephones, faxes, or the Internet--many
people--Africans, Caucasians, Native Americans, and Quakers--banded
together for a greater good: to provide freedom to some, and to end the
abomination of slavery for all.
These people risked their lives on a daily basis to seek freedom or
assist in helping others find it. It is estimated that in the 20 years
prior to the Civil War, upwards of 40,000 slaves escaped bondage via
the Underground Railroad.
Because of the nearly silent legacy of the people who passed through
the Underground Railroad and provided assistance to freedom-seeking
slaves, this Center is vital to reconstructing and communicating the
significance of the Underground Railroad.
As a ``distributive educational museum,'' an additional mission of
the Freedom Center will be to establish regional centers, or ``freedom
stations.''
In my district in northeast Indiana, we have been working to identify
and protect numerous sites in Steuben, Allen and Noble Counties.
Carl Wilson has been working with a regional group in Ft. Wayne for
two years. Carl and I have also worked with the Steuben County group as
well. A key stop on the Underground Railroad may become a key point of
a new bike trail in Angola, Indiana. We have been pleased to work with
the Cincinnati museum in these efforts.
I believe one of the greatest challenges will be to distinguish
between alleged and genuine Underground Railroad sites. Many of these
alleged sites have been identified through the decades by local
folklore--oral histories, notes found in family Bibles, and other
unofficial documentation.
To complicate the identification process, many of these sites are in
significant decay or are no longer known as part of Underground
Railroad network.

[[Page H6864]]

These sites will need to be systematically reviewed and
scientifically established.
Then, these sites should be linked together to provide Americans with
a ``holistic'' approach to visiting and studying Underground Railroad
locations. It is my understanding that the Freedom Center will assist
in identifying nearly 60 Freedom Stations across America by 2003.
The history of the Underground Railroad is not only fundamental to
understand the history of African Americans in this nation, the anti-
slavery movement, and the Civil War, it is also fundamental to truly
understand the significance of the cornerstone tenant of this nation:
freedom.
This Center will educate and remind all of us about the long and
winding path we have taken in America to achieve the goal of freedom
for all.
I urge my colleagues to support this very important bill to provide
funding for the Freedom Center in Cincinnati. Thank you.
Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Utah (Mr. Hansen) that the House suspend the rules and
pass the bill, H.R. 2919, as amended.
The question was taken.
Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be
postponed.

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