[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 92 (Tuesday, June 5, 2018)]
[House]
[Pages H4752-H4753]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SPECIAL RESOURCE STUDY OF JAMES WELDON JOHNSON BIRTHPLACE
Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass
the bill (H.R. 5005) to direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct
a special resource study to determine the suitability and feasibility
of establishing the birthplace of James Weldon Johnson in Jacksonville,
Florida, as a unit of the National Park System.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 5005
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SPECIAL RESOURCE STUDY OF JAMES WELDON JOHNSON
BIRTHPLACE.
(a) Study.--The Secretary of the Interior shall conduct a
special resource study to determine the suitability and
feasibility of establishing the birthplace of James Weldon
Johnson located at Adams & Lee Street in Jacksonville,
Florida, as a unit of the National Park System.
(b) Study Requirements.--The Secretary shall conduct the
study in accordance with section 100507 of title 54, United
States Code.
(c) Report.--Not later than 3 years after the date on which
funds are made available to carry out this Act, the Secretary
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 that describes--
(1) the results of the study; and
(2) any recommendations of the Secretary.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Utah (Mr. Bishop) and the gentleman from the Northern Mariana Islands
(Mr. Sablan) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Utah.
General Leave
Mr. BISHOP of Utah. 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 Utah?
There was no objection.
Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
This is a fairly significant but straightforward bill. It simply is
asking for a study on the potential of including James Weldon Johnson's
birthplace as part of our national park system.
Mr. Johnson was a leader in the civil rights movement of his time. He
had many talents. He was a diplomat, executive director of the NAACP,
the first African to be a member of The Florida Bar. He has also
written songs.
Having a special place in history, it is appropriate that we simply
direct the National Park Service to investigate the possibility of
adding this to the historical sites of significance within the Park
Service system.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Lawson).
Mr. LAWSON of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Chairman
[[Page H4753]]
Bishop for moving this fine bill through his committee.
James Weldon Johnson was born in 1871 in Jacksonville. This is very
significant and probably should have been done many years ago for his
contributions to education and the accomplishments he was able to make
throughout his life.
He also was not only the first African American admitted to The
Florida Bar but also the first African American to teach at New York
University. I think most significant was that he was appointed by
President Roosevelt to serve as a dignitary to Venezuela and Nigeria.
His accomplishments are revered by everyone in the United States.
He was a great writer. In fact, when he wrote ``Lift Ev'ry Voice and
Sing,'' he wrote it to celebrate President Lincoln's birthday. His
brother later put it into lyrics. It was adopted by the NAACP as the
Negro national anthem.
Ever since I was small, we would hear ``Lift Ev'ry Voice,'' ``Lift
Ev'ry Voice.'' Little did we know that ``Lift Ev'ry Voice'' would be
presented at every festivity and graduation throughout America, at
football games and everywhere, because of Mr. Johnson's contributions.
I feel very honored to have this historic site among our Park Service
so people can know the history of James Weldon Johnson, not only in the
Jacksonville community but throughout America. I think it would be
fitting that many people have the opportunity to visit his birthplace
to see the contributions he has made.
Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I have no other speakers, and I
reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, Representative Lawson's bill directs the Secretary of
the Interior to conduct a special resource study to determine the
suitability of establishing the birthplace of James Weldon Johnson,
located in Jacksonville, Florida, as a unit of the National Park
System.
James Weldon Johnson was born in Jacksonville to immigrant parents
from the Bahamas. He went on to become a respected lawyer, educator,
and writer.
President Theodore Roosevelt appointed James Weldon Johnson as U.S.
Consult to Venezuela and Nicaragua during the early 1900's.
I applaud my colleague Representative Lawson for introducing
legislation to honor the first African American executive secretary of
the NAACP.
I support passage of H.R. 5005.
Mr. Speaker, if the gentleman has no further speakers, I yield back
the balance of my time.
Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Utah (Mr. Bishop) that the House suspend the rules and
pass the bill, H.R. 5005.
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. BISHOP of Utah. 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 motion will be postponed.
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