[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 45 (Wednesday, March 15, 2017)]
[House]
[Pages H2065-H2066]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK ACT OF 2017
Mr. TIPTON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 267) to redesignate the Martin Luther King, Junior, National
Historic Site in the State of Georgia, and for other purposes, as
amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 267
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 ``Martin Luther King, Jr.
National Historical Park Act of 2017''.
SEC. 2. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK.
The Act entitled ``An Act to establish the Martin Luther
King, Junior, National Historic Site in the State of Georgia,
and for other purposes'' (Public Law 96-428) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a) of the first section, by striking
``the map entitled `Martin Luther King, Junior, National
Historic Site Boundary Map', number 489/80,013B, and dated
September 1992'' and inserting ``the map entitled `Martin
Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park Proposed Boundary
Revision', numbered 489/128,786 and dated June 2015'';
(2) by striking ``Martin Luther King, Junior, National
Historic Site'' each place it appears and inserting ``Martin
Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park'';
(3) by striking ``national historic site'' each place it
appears and inserting ``national historical park''; and
(4) by striking ``historic site'' each place it appears and
inserting ``historical park''.
SEC. 3. REFERENCES.
Any reference in a law (other than this Act), map,
regulation, document, paper, or other record of the United
States to ``Martin Luther King, Junior, National Historic
Site'' shall be deemed to be a reference to ``Martin Luther
King, Jr. National Historical Park''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Colorado (Mr. Tipton) and the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Brown) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Colorado.
general leave
Mr. TIPTON. 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 Colorado?
There was no objection.
Mr. TIPTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, H.R. 267, introduced by Congressman John Lewis,
redesignates the Martin Luther King, Junior, National Historic Site in
the State of Georgia as the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical
Park. It also authorizes the National Park Service to include the
Prince Hall Masonic Temple in the historical park's boundaries.
The Prince Hall Masonic Temple long served as the headquarters of the
Southern Christian Leadership Conference. This well-known civil rights
organization was cofounded by Dr. King, who also served as its first
president. Including the Prince Hall Masonic Temple within the unit's
boundaries will allow the National Park Service to provide technical
assistance to the building's owners with regard to repairs,
renovations, and maintenance that will preserve its historic integrity.
Our Nation's historic sites and historical parks provide us with the
unique opportunity to share the very spaces in which the generations
before us lived and worked. At these sites, Americans are able to
metaphorically walk in the footsteps of our Nation's Founders and of
those who followed them and perfected their vision for our country. At
this time of division in our country, it is important to be able to
look back at leaders like Martin Luther King, Jr., who promoted unity
and the dignity of the human person.
Congressman Lewis' bill before the House today will expand
opportunities for Americans to learn about the legacy of Dr. King and
other icons of the civil rights movement. I urge adoption of this
legislation.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. BROWN of Maryland. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
H.R. 267 is an important and historically significant piece of
legislation that has broad bipartisan support. In fact, it passed the
House on a voice vote just over a year ago. The bill accomplishes two
primary goals: to designate the Martin Luther King, Junior, National
Historic Site in Atlanta, Georgia, as a national historical park; and
to adjust the boundary of the park to include the Prince Hall Masonic
Temple, the first headquarters of the Southern Christian Leadership
Conference. Taken together, these actions will enhance the National
Park Service's ability to tell and elevate the story of Dr. King.
The site, which is the final resting place of the great civil rights
leader, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., continues to connect visitors with
the historical and contemporary struggles for civil rights in this
country.
{time} 1700
These stories are as relevant today as they were half a century ago.
By officially designating the area as a national historical park, this
legislation will provide the site with the acknowledgement it so justly
deserves.
Lastly, I want to thank Congressman Lewis, who remains an important
and iconic civil rights leader, for bringing this important bill
forward.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. TIPTON. Mr. Speaker, I have no additional speakers, and I reserve
the balance of my time.
Mr. BROWN of Maryland. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may
consume to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Lewis), my esteemed
colleague.
Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from
Colorado and the gentleman from Maryland for supporting this
legislation.
I am a proud sponsor of the Martin Luther King, Jr. National
Historical Park Act.
First, let me thank each and every member and the staff from the
Natural Resources Committee for their hard work and support of this
act.
Mr. Speaker, this nonpartisan bill will simply change these historic
Atlanta places from being a site to a park. At no additional cost to
taxpayers, this bill will create the first national historic park in
the State of Georgia. This small change will significantly improve the
way the National Park Service preserves, shares, and presents the
history of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., site or park.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., was our moral compass. He represented
the best of America. His mission was to create the beloved community, a
community at peace with itself and our neighbors. Throughout his life,
Dr. King urged each and every one of us to recognize the dignity and
worth of every human being.
Passing this simple piece of legislation will improve how this
important history and legacy is shared with visitors from across our
country and from around the world.
[[Page H2066]]
Again, Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the chair and ranking
member for their support of this legislation.
Mr. TIPTON. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my
time.
Mr. BROWN of Maryland. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Johnson).
Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from
Maryland for yielding.
Mr. Speaker, today, I rise in proud support, and I join my colleague,
Congressman Lewis, in supporting H.R. 267 and its efforts to
redesignate the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site as the
Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park.
For decades, large numbers of people have descended on this site to
see the birthplace where the dreamer was moved by destiny into
leadership of the modern civil rights movement. The site as it stands
now, which also contains the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, has
faced hardships over the years leading to budget cutbacks and a
decrease in staff.
H.R. 267 would increase funding that would help preserve this
American landmark and increase the size of the park so that future
generations can continue to visit and enjoy.
Just like Dr. King never led a march without a plan, we shouldn't
leave this critical piece of the civil rights movement without a plan
for its future. We should continue to work to preserve the place where
Dr. King was born, lived, worked, worshipped, and where he is buried.
Mr. Speaker, I stand in strong support of H.R. 267, the Martin Luther
King, Jr. National Historical Park Act of 2017.
The time has come to update the historic sites and monuments at the
Martin Luther King, Jr., National Historic Site. This common sense
legislation seeks to end the current restrictions that prevent the site
from adopting the proposed ``Martin Luther King, Jr. National
Historical Park Proposed Boundary Revision'' and reclassifying the
landmark more appropriately as a ``National Park.''
Originally, this site established in 1980, encompassed the portions
of Auburn Avenue in Atlanta, Georgia, the house in which Dr. Martin
Luther King, Jr. was born, and the Ebenezer Baptist Church where Dr.
King's family prayed. Public Law 96-428 memorialized these buildings
with the intent to ``protect and interpret for the benefit, inspiration
and education of present and future generations the places where Martin
Luther King, Jr. was born, where he lived, worked, and worshipped, and
where he is buried.''
Unfortunately, the MLK National Historic Site remains classified as a
``National Site.'' The National Park Service defines areas with similar
geography and size as national parks. The title ``National Site'' no
longer fits with the current structure of this historic landmark. The
current boundaries of site limit the National Park Service's ability to
conserve important landmarks in Atlanta. The provisions outlined in
this bill will allow the site to expand and in turn preserve the
history of Dr. King's life for thousands of Americans to personally
experience and ensure our nation never forgets his dream. An extension
of the current boundaries of the site would help greater serve the
mission of the site.
Dr. King altered the course of American history. Our nation's
citizens owe a debt to the sacrifices and tireless crusade led by this
great man. Dr. King encouraged love and empathy for in the hearts of
countless Americans. His contribution to humanity has been priceless.
We must never forget the sacrifices made by the heroes of the Civil
Rights Movement. I stand with my esteemed colleague and civil rights
champion, Congressman John Lewis, who proposed this legislation. I
strongly urge my colleagues to support this resolution.
Mr. BROWN of Maryland. Mr. Speaker, I have no additional speakers. I
again urge adoption of this important legislation.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. TIPTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. JODY B. HICE of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I take great pleasure that
we may come to the floor today to celebrate and recognize the
remarkable legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. King is characterized by
modeling his life after Jesus Christ in order to live a life dedicated
to the service of others, whether that be preaching the Gospel to his
congregation at Ebenezer Baptist Church, or to the pursuit of justice
and equality.
Mr. Speaker, my home state of Georgia has the great honor of
preserving King's legacy at the Martin Luther King, Jr. National
Historic Site. And today we have the opportunity under the leadership
of my friend and fellow Georgian, John Lewis, to pass H.R. 267, the
Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park Act, to re-designate
the site as a National Historic Park.
I strongly believe that this site meets and exceeds the requirements
for re-designation as a National Historic Park and fully support my
friend in his effort. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to thank Congressman Lewis
for leading this legislation. As a cosponsor of this bill, a member of
the Committee on Natural Resources, and as a fellow Georgian, I offer
my strongest support and encourage my colleagues to vote in favor of
H.R. 267.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Tipton) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, H.R. 267, as amended.
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. TIPTON. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a
quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not
present.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further
proceedings on this question will be postponed.
The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.
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