[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 61 (Wednesday, May 5, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E754-E755]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




INTRODUCTION OF THE MARY McLEOD BETHUNE COUNCIL HOUSE NATIONAL HISTORIC 
SITE BOUNDARY ADJUSTMENT ACT--MAKE A HISTORICAL SITE MORE ACCESSIBLE TO 
                                TOURISTS

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                       HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON

                      of the district of columbia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 5, 2004

  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing the Mary McLeod 
Bethune Council House National Historic Site Boundary Adjustment Act. 
This is the original home of the National Council of Negro Women 
founded by the great Mary McLeod Bethune. Ms. Bethune is also the 
legendary founder of the historically black college, Daytona Normal and 
Industrial Institute for Negro Girls, now Bethune-Cookman College, and 
she played a powerful role in the Roosevelt Administration.

[[Page E755]]

  The Bethune Council House, declared a National Historic Site by 
Congress in 1982, was acquired by the National Park Service (NPS) in 
1994. The Bethune Council House, a historic house museum, features 
original furniture, photographs and facsimiles of historic documents 
from the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW). This legislation is 
needed for two reasons. First, the Bethune House is not handicap 
accessible, and as a historic building, it would be impossible to alter 
the house in any way without endangering its historic nature. This bill 
would extend the current boundary of the Bethune House by authorizing 
the NPS to acquire the abutting property to allow handicapped 
accessibility. Second, the bill provides space for administrative 
offices for the NPS to conduct duties related to the Bethune Council 
House.
  This legislation is needed to carry out the important mission of the 
Bethune Council House. The Bethune legacy is carried forward today by 
the nation's most prominent civil rights leader, Dr. Dorothy Height, 
Chair and President Emerita of the NCNW, who recently received the 
Congressional Gold Medal of here in the Congress. Consequently, this 
bill honors both of these heroes of our country by assuring that the 
first home of the organization to which they dedicated their lives is 
accessible to all Americans. I ask that the House pass this bill 
promptly.

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