[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 10 (Tuesday, January 24, 2012)]
[House]
[Pages H134-H135]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
BUFFALO SOLDIERS IN THE NATIONAL PARKS STUDY ACT
Mr. JOHNSON of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and
pass the bill (H.R. 1022) 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. 1022
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.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Ohio (Mr. Johnson) and the gentleman from the Northern Mariana Islands
(Mr. Sablan) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Ohio.
General Leave
Mr. JOHNSON of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all
Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks
and include extraneous materials on the bill under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Ohio?
There was no objection.
Mr. JOHNSON of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
H.R. 1022 authorizes the National Park Service to study alternatives
for commemorating and interpreting the role of the Buffalo Soldiers in
the early years of the national parks.
The Buffalo Soldiers were a segregated Army unit composed of African
American cavalrymen. For nearly 25 years before the creation of the
National Park Service, Yosemite National Park was administered by the
U.S. Army. The Buffalo Soldiers played a key role protecting those park
resources that have since been enjoyed by millions of Americans. Their
success will be examined by this study that will focus on existing
resources inside current national parks.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
H.R. 1022 would direct the Secretary of the Interior to study ways
the National Park Service could commemorate the role of Buffalo
Soldiers.
Buffalo Soldiers were African American troops who served in the first
national parks, including Yosemite and Sequoia National Park, prior to
the establishment of the National Park Service.
{time} 1300
The legislation, sponsored by Congresswoman Speier of California, was
considered by the Committee on Natural Resources in May. I commend my
colleague, Congresswoman Speier, for introducing this legislation and
for her leadership on this issue. We strongly support this legislation.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. JOHNSON of Ohio. I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, at this time, I yield such time that she may
consume to the Congresswoman from California (Ms. Speier), the sponsor
of this legislation.
Ms. SPEIER. I thank my friend from the Northern Mariana Islands for
yielding.
I rise today in support of this legislation, the Buffalo Soldiers in
the National Parks Study Act, which will allow the Department of the
Interior to study the role of Buffalo Soldiers and how they defended
our first national parks. This is a key step in preserving the legacy
of the Army's first African American infantry and cavalry units and the
contributions they made to our Nation.
This bill will evaluate the feasibility of a National Historic Trail
along the Buffalo Soldiers' route from their historic military post at
the San Francisco Presidio to Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks. The
study would also identify properties that could be listed in the
National Register of Historic Places or designations as National
Historic Landmarks.
For several years, Buffalo Soldier regiments traveled 320 miles along
this route to patrol the parklands for loggers and poachers, build new
trails, and escort visitors. The Buffalo Soldiers were among our very
first park rangers, a challenging task these troops took on with pride
after serving bravely in the Civil War.
Because of the color of their skin, the Buffalo Soldiers were all too
often marginalized instead of respected for their service to our
Nation, both on and off the battlefield. However, during their time
protecting the parks, they not only confronted racism and
discrimination, they overcame it. They
[[Page H135]]
became respected neighbors and friends to people living in the park
regions, and they made real inroads toward racial progress that were
extraordinary for their day.
Although they were assigned to watch over government property for
only a relatively short time, the Buffalo Soldiers helped lay the
groundwork for some of our greatest wilderness to be preserved forever.
I'm proud that the Buffalo Soldiers traveled through my district on
their way to the parks, and I believe this bill will help shine a light
on the history they made in the great State of California and in many
places across the country.
All Americans from all walks of life would benefit from learning
about this often overlooked chapter in our history. The Buffalo
Soldiers' story is ultimately about the triumph not just of African
American troops over prejudice and injustice, but about the movement of
our Nation toward a more tolerant and courageous society.
I thank my colleagues for supporting this bill.
Mr. JOHNSON of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, may I ask if the minority bill
manager has any additional speakers? We do not.
Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. JOHNSON of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, with that, I yield back the balance
of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Fortenberry). The question is on the
motion offered by the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Johnson) that the House
suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 1022.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. JOHNSON of Ohio. 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, further
proceedings on this question will be postponed.
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