[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 75 (Tuesday, May 18, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H3491-H3492]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            BUFFALO SOLDIERS IN THE NATIONAL PARKS STUDY ACT

  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 4491) to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct 
a study of alternatives for commemorating and interpreting the role of 
the Buffalo Soldiers in the early years of the National Parks, and for 
other purposes.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 4491

       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 ``Buffalo Soldiers in the 
     National Parks Study Act''.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.

       (a) Findings.--The Congress finds the following:
       (1) In the late 19th century and early 20th century, 
     African-American troops who came to be known as the Buffalo 
     Soldiers served in many critical roles in the western United 
     States, including protecting some of the first National 
     Parks.
       (2) Based at the Presidio in San Francisco, Buffalo 
     Soldiers were assigned to Sequoia and Yosemite National Parks 
     where they patrolled the backcountry, built trails, stopped 
     poaching, and otherwise served in the roles later assumed by 
     National Park rangers.
       (3) The public would benefit from having opportunities to 
     learn more about the Buffalo Soldiers in the National Parks 
     and their contributions to the management of National Parks 
     and the legacy of African-Americans in the post-Civil War 
     era.
       (4) As the centennial of the National Park Service in 2016 
     approaches, it is an especially appropriate time to conduct 
     research and increase public awareness of the stewardship 
     role the Buffalo Soldiers played in the early years of the 
     National Parks.
       (b) Purpose.--The purpose of this Act is to authorize a 
     study to determine the most effective ways to increase 
     understanding and public awareness of the critical role that 
     the Buffalo Soldiers played in the early years of the 
     National Parks.

     SEC. 3. STUDY.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary of the Interior shall 
     conduct a study of alternatives for commemorating and 
     interpreting the role of the Buffalo Soldiers in the early 
     years of the National Parks.
       (b) Contents of Study.--The study shall include--
       (1) a historical assessment, based on extensive research, 
     of the Buffalo Soldiers who served in National Parks in the 
     years prior to the establishment of the National Park 
     Service;
       (2) an evaluation of the suitability and feasibility of 
     establishing a national historic trail commemorating the 
     route traveled by the Buffalo Soldiers from their post in the 
     Presidio of San Francisco to Sequoia and Yosemite National 
     Parks and to any other National Parks where they may have 
     served;
       (3) the identification of properties that could meet 
     criteria for listing in the National Register of Historic 
     Places or criteria for designation as National Historic 
     Landmarks;
       (4) an evaluation of appropriate ways to enhance historical 
     research, education, interpretation, and public awareness of 
     the story of the Buffalo Soldiers' stewardship role in the 
     National Parks, including ways to link the story to the 
     development of National Parks and the story of African-
     American military service following the Civil War; and
       (5) any other matters that the Secretary of the Interior 
     deems appropriate for this study.
       (c) Report.--Not later than 3 years after funds are made 
     available for the study, the Secretary of the Interior shall 
     submit to the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of 
     Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural 
     Resources of the Senate a report containing the study's 
     findings and recommendations.

                              {time}  1430

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Salazar). Pursuant to the rule, the 
gentlewoman from Guam (Ms. Bordallo) and the gentleman from California 
(Mr. McClintock) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Guam.


                             General Leave

  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks 
and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Guam?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4491, introduced by Representative 
Jackie Speier of California, would authorize the National Park Service 
to conduct a special resource study to determine appropriate and 
feasible ways to commemorate the African American cavalrymen known as 
the Buffalo Soldiers and the important role that they played in the 
early years of the national parks. These soldiers played a critical 
role in protecting Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks and served as 
the Nation's first park rangers.
  Under the proposed legislation, the National Park Service would 
evaluate alternatives to commemorate and interpret the roles of the 
Buffalo Soldiers. They would also evaluate the suitability and 
feasibility of establishing a national historic trail along the route 
used by the Buffalo Soldiers from their post in the Presidio of San 
Francisco to the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
  Representative Speier is to be commended for her work to highlight 
this important chapter in African American history and in the history 
of our national parks.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4491 received broad bipartisan support in 
committee, and I urge its adoption by the House today.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. McCLINTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, in my opinion, the most important role of the national 
parks is to provide a link to our Nation's proud history. I believe in 
American exceptionalism. The story of our Nation is the story of the 
uniquely American principles enshrined in the Declaration of 
Independence and how they shaped and molded what has become the most 
successful Republic in the history of human civilization.
  One aspect of that story is exemplified by the Buffalo Soldiers, 
Americans of African descent who transcended the prejudices of the 
post-Civil War era to serve as the first peacetime Army units comprised 
of African Americans. They took the heroism and patriotism of the 
famous 54th Massachusetts and other Civil War units and made them into 
a proud and permanent fixture within the American Armed Forces. Their 
members included Medal of Honor winner Louis H. Carpenter and Henry O. 
Flipper, the first American of African descent to graduate from West 
Point.
  The Buffalo Soldiers made immeasurable contributions to the 
continental expansion of our Nation, to the protection of our first 
national parks, but perhaps most important is their immortal 
contribution to the unification of our Nation as a free people.
  As Shakespeare said, Their story should the good man teach his son. 
This bill would develop a plan to do precisely that within the national 
park system. I urge its adoption.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in 
support of H.R. 4491, the Buffalo Soldiers in the National Parks Study 
Act.

[[Page H3492]]

  I commend this legislation which directs the Secretary of the 
Interior to study the role the Buffalo Soldiers played in the 
development of the National Park System. It is time more information 
comes to light regarding the contributions Buffalo Soldiers made to 
protect our National Parks until 1914. Few know the story of how 
Buffalo Soldiers once patrolled Yosemite, Sequoia and Kings Canyon 
parks.
  As their service has been nearly forgotten, I praise this legislation 
which will ensure their efforts to our Country are remembered. Buffalo 
Soldiers remain an integral element in founding our National Parks. 
These American soldiers carried out mounted patrol duties in the 
Western frontier and were among the first park rangers and backcountry 
rangers patrolling parts of the West.
  Mr. Speaker, the Buffalo soldiers blazed the trails and paved the way 
for what we now call our National Park System. I urge my colleagues to 
join me in supporting H. R. 4491, the Buffalo Soldiers in the National 
Parks Study Act.
  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I again urge Members to support the bill, 
and I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from Guam (Ms. Bordallo) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 4491.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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