[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 51 (Tuesday, April 30, 2002)]
[House]
[Pages H1699-H1701]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
AUTHORIZING STUDY OF VIRGINIA KEY BEACH, FLORIDA, FOR POSSIBLE
INCLUSION IN NATIONAL PARK SYSTEM
Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 2109) to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct
a special resource study of Virginia Key Beach, Florida, for possible
inclusion in the National Park System, as amended.
The Clerk read as follows:
H.R. 2109
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. STUDY AND REPORT.
(a) Study.--The Secretary of the Interior (in this Act
referred to as ``the Secretary'') shall conduct a study of
Virginia Key Beach Park in Biscayne Bay, Florida, which was
used for recreation by African Americans at a time when
public beaches were racially segregated by law. The study
shall evaluate the national significance of the site and the
suitability and feasibility of establishing the site as a
unit of the National Park System.
(b) Criteria.--In conducting the study required by
subsection (a), the Secretary shall use the criteria for the
study of areas for potential inclusion in the National Park
System contained in section 8 of Public Law 91-383 (16 U.S.C.
1a-5; popularly known as the National Park System General
Authorities Act).
(c) Report.--Upon completion of the study, the Secretary
shall transmit to the Congress a report on the findings of
the study and the conclusions and recommendations of the
Secretary.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Utah (Mr. Hansen) and the gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands (Mrs.
Christensen) 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.
H.R. 2109, introduced by the gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. Meek)
would authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a resource
study of Virginia Key Beach Park in Miami, Florida, to determine the
suitability and feasibility of including this site as a unit of the
National Park System.
Virginia Key Beach Park, located just off the coast of Miami between
Key Biscayne and Fisher Island, was for decades the only beach in South
Florida where African Americans were permitted during the days of
segregation. This beach was very significant in the local community for
its numerous gatherings, which included baptisms and religious
services, courtship and honeymoons, organizational gatherings, visiting
celebrities and family recreation.
However, in 1982 the city of Miami, citing the high cost of
maintaining and operating the park, closed the beach. Since that time,
the city of Miami has explored various options regarding ownership and
the future of the beach, although nothing has yet come to fruition.
Nevertheless, it is my understanding that the local community
[[Page H1700]]
continues to be very interested in the fate of the park due in large
measure to its historical significance.
This bill would authorize the Park Service to conduct a study to
examine the possibility of including Virginia Key Beach Park as a unit
of the National Park Service.
Mr. Speaker, this legislation is supported by both majority and
minority, and I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
(Mrs. CHRISTENSEN asked and was given permission to revise and extend
her remarks.)
Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2109, which was introduced by my
friend and our colleague, the gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. Meek),
would authorize a special resource study of the historic Virginia Key
Beach Park located on Biscayne Bay in Florida.
Virginia Key Beach derives its importance from its history more so
than from its natural or recreational qualities, although there are
those as well. It was the first beach in south Florida to be opened to
African Americans, and for many years it was the only beach available
to us. Encompassing just 77 acres, the beach was a popular recreational
area for local African American families, churches and other
organizations, and as we have heard, it was a site of many important
private and public events.
At the hearing before the Subcommittee on National Parks, Recreation
and Public Lands, the National Park Service testified in support of a
park study of this important area.
It is important that we look for ways to commemorate and preserve not
only the history of this site but also the natural and recreational
qualities as well.
I want to commend the sponsor, the gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs.
Meek), for her leadership on H.R. 2109. I am pleased to support this
study legislation, and I urge my colleagues to do likewise.
Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield such time as she may consume
to the gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. Meek).
(Mrs. MEEK of Florida asked and was given permission to revise and
extend her remarks.)
Mrs. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentlewoman
from the Virgin Islands (Mrs. Christensen), and I want to thank the
gentleman from California (Mr. Radanovich).
I rise with great pride, Mr. Speaker, and in strong support of H.R.
2109, my bill to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a
special resource study of Virginia Key Beach in Miami, Florida, for its
possible inclusion in the National Park System.
I want to again thank the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Hansen), the
chairman, and the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. Rahall), the
ranking member of the full Committee on Resources, the gentleman from
California (Mr. Radanovich), the chairman, and the gentlewoman from the
Virgin Islands (Mrs. Christensen), the ranking member of the
subcommittee, and their respective staffs for their assistance and
cooperation.
I also want to thank my delegation in south Florida, a bipartisan
delegation, for cosponsoring this bill.
Mr. Speaker, Virginia Key Beach is a historically important and
environmentally significant place, worthy of being preserved and
studied for its inclusion in the National Park System.
Virginia Key was the only beach in Miami where African Americans
could go to swim in the 1940s, 1950s and early 1960s. It was called
``Virginia Key Beach at that time, a Dade County Park for the exclusive
use of Negros.'' It opened on August 1, 1945. Until that time, Miami's
beaches had been reserved for whites only. In those days of
segregation, Virginia Key Beach was the only way blacks could legally
enjoy the ocean in Dade County.
Dade County created this park in response to the efforts of the
African American community to integrate the beaches in Miami.
The location of this beach was less than ideal, Mr. Speaker. There
was no bridge, and the only way to get to it was by taking a boat from
the Miami River.
Despite these impediments, African Americans have made Virginia Key
Beach a very thriving center for social and cultural activities. The
beach became a cherished getaway, a social gathering place and even a
sacred site for religious services.
I attended many baptisms at Virginia Key Beach. The beach was the
site for many baptisms, courtships, honeymoons, organizational
gatherings, visiting celebrities and family recreation. Even after
integration granted everyone a free choice of recreation areas,
Virginia Key Beach remained the popular preference for many in the
African American community.
Mr. Speaker, this legislation is near and dear to my heart because I
know the long way we have come because I used this park frequently
myself and brought my children there when they were young. The fact
that I am a Congresswoman today shows how much society has changed in
the intervening years.
Virginia Key Beach is a national treasure that stands as a monument
to America's journey toward racial equality. As a reminder of our
national heritage, Virginia Key Beach symbolizes the struggle of
African Americans in the 20th century during racial segregation in the
South and the onset of the civil rights movement.
Mr. Speaker, there are very few sites in the National Park System
that recognizes the struggle for civil rights. Out of 385 units
currently in the park system, only 4 have been designated to
commemorate the civil rights era. We need to do more to recognize the
civil rights era. It is important to remember that segregation affected
every aspect of our lives, even our leisure time.
In addition to representing an important part of the history of
African Americans, it is also an exceptional natural resource
characterized by a unique and sensitive natural environment. The beach
is a part of an area known as Virginia Key. It is a 1,000 acre barrier
island. There has been some limited development, but the island is non-
residential and includes ponds and waterways, a tropical hardwood
hammocks and a large wildlife conservation area.
The Key is home to more than 25 species of birds during the winter,
while its shallow waters contain extensive grass beds that support
manatees, young sea turtles and many juvenile fishes. The United States
Army Corps of Engineers, through their shoreline damage program, is
currently restoring the beach and native plants on the islands.
Finally, let me note, thanking this committee and my colleagues, the
chairman and the ranking member, Virginia Key Beach is an excellent
location and it is very accessible. Other national attractions in south
Florida, such as Everglades National Park, Big Cypress and Biscayne
National Park, have extraordinary resources, but they are not readily
accessible for individuals without personal transportation; Virginia
Key Park is. There is a good Miami-Dade bus connection there, and it is
further enhanced by a link to south Florida's rail system.
Mr. Speaker, Virginia Key Beach occupies a special place in the heart
of all of us from south Florida. It is a wonderful reminder of the
struggle of African Americans for civil rights and social justice.
Inclusion in the National Park System would help ensure that Virginia
Key Beach is preserved and protected for future generations. A special
resource study is the first step.
This committee has taken the first step to bring this to the floor. I
urge my colleagues to support this important legislation.
Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I come before you today to
encourage my colleagues to support H.R. 2109, a bill which would
authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resource
study of historic Virginia Key Beach, FL, for the inclusion into the
National Park System. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to support a very
important bill which will allow Congress to preserve and protect this
beautiful beach site area.
This legislation allows for the beautiful palm-studded old Florida
beach located on a 1,000-acre barrier island, one of Miami's real
treasures, to be recognized as a National Park. Miami's historical
Virginia Key Beach has been one of Florida's most beautiful and unique
areas since 1896. When I was growing up, Virginia Key was at one time
one of Miami's most popular beaches for African-Americans
[[Page H1701]]
to enjoy. With its scant four-tenths of a mile of actual shoreline, the
park was the only bathing beach in the county legally available to
African-Americans.
Mr. Speaker, this bill does not add to the national debt, therefore I
urge my colleagues to realize there is no need to oppose it for
economic reasons. This bill does not change any of the requirements for
the inclusion process for national parks. All this bill calls for is
the recognition of the 77-acre historic Virginia Key Beach site in
Miami, FL. Passing this bill would be a reasonable and responsible
approach in recognizing the significant value of this former ``colored
beach.''
Florida needs a place that is recognized for its historical
significance, a place that can be enjoyed today for both recreational
purposes and so that people can learn about the history of this
extraordinary scenic recreational site that was once cherished as a
``Paradise.''
I respectfully ask that my colleagues in this Congress vote in favor
of H.R. 2109 which would induct historic Virginia Key Beach into the
National Park System.
Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time,
and I yield back the balance of my time.
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. 2109, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
The title of the bill was amended so as to read: ``A bill to
authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resource
study of Virginia Key Beach Park in Biscayne Bay, Florida, for possible
inclusion in the National Park System.''.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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