[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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