[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 47 (Wednesday, March 16, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E264]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  SAVE THE LIBERTY THEATRE ACT OF 2021

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 15, 2022

  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3197, which 
provides a land conveyance to the city of Eunice, Louisiana.
  The Save the Liberty Theatre Act of 2021 will allow the city of 
Eunice to restore its historic Liberty Theatre.
  This historic theatre has hosted silent films, live bands, and other 
entertainment over its beautiful history.
  The Liberty Theatre has been a staple of Louisiana's Cajun community 
for nearly 100 years.
  With passage of this bill, the City of Eunice can proceed with its 
efforts to restore the theatre as an important center of culture and 
tourism.
  The bill will also direct the Secretary of the Interior to convey all 
rights, title, and interest of the federal government in specified 
areas of the ``Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve'' to 
the city of Eunice, Louisiana.
  That area includes an annex owned by the National Park Service (NPS) 
that is attached to the Liberty Theatre, which is owned by the city.
  The area the NPS owns is a section of the Liberty Theatre that 
provides a handicap accessible entrance, but this ownership interest in 
the property is hindering efforts to restore the theatre.
  The Save the Liberty Theatre Act of 2021 would grant Eunice full 
ownership of the theatre property so the city can begin restoration 
efforts.
  The theatre's stage has been dark since October 2019, and to local 
Cajun musicians like Joel Savoy, there is a fear that the centerpiece 
of the Cajun community will be nothing more than a memory.
  Savoy's family is very connected to the theatre, as his parents were 
the driving force behind a restoration project in the 1980s to reopen 
the ornate building.
  The theatre's return is vital to regional tourism.
  Savoy, along with a handful of other Eunice residents, formed the 
Association for the Liberty Theatre earlier this year.
  Their association is looking into ongoing revenue potential through 
private events, such as wedding receptions, so the theatre doesn't 
shutter again in a few decades.
  Their goal is to renovate and reopen the theatre by 2024 to 
commemorate the 100th anniversary, and according to Savoy an anonymous 
donor has committed to donating a ``substantial amount'' of the 
projected $2 million needed to return the theatre to its former glory.
  A handful of other Eunice residents plan on launching fundraising 
campaigns and other public planning projects if the legislation passes.
  The people of this community are willing to go the extra mile in hard 
work and funding to preserve this landmark that is dear to them.
  I encourage all my colleagues to join me and vote for H.R. 3197.
  Since the people of this community are willing to come together to 
revitalize this landmark, we should support them.

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