[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 86 (Thursday, May 19, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2605-S2607]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              BLACKWELL SCHOOL NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE ACT

  Ms. HIRONO. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 300, S. 2490.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the bill by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A bill (S. 2490) to establish the Blackwell School National 
     Historic Site in Marfa, Texas, and for other purposes.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill, 
which

[[Page S2606]]

had been reported from the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
  Ms. HIRONO. Mr. President, I thank Senator Cornyn for this bill that 
we are about to agree to by unanimous consent. It is called the 
Blackwell School National Historic Site Act.
  I ask unanimous consent that the Cornyn amendment at the desk be 
considered and agreed to; that the bill, as amended, be considered read 
a third time and passed; and that the motion to reconsider be 
considered made and laid upon the table.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The amendment (No. 5042) was agreed to, as follows:

                (Purpose: To modify the map information)

       On page 4, strike lines 7 and 8 and insert the following:
       (1) Map.--The term ``map'' means the map entitled 
     ``Blackwell School National Historic Site Proposed 
     Boundary'', numbered 593/178387, and dated February 2022.
       On page 5, strike lines 21 through 24.
       On page 6, line 1, strike ``(2)'' and insert ``(1)''.
       On page 6, line 4, strike ``(3)'' and insert ``(2)''.

  The bill (S. 2490), as amended, was ordered to be engrossed for a 
third reading, was read the third time, and passed, as follows:

                                S. 2490

       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 ``Blackwell School National 
     Historic Site Act''.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

       Congress finds that--
       (1) the Blackwell School, located at 501 South Abbott 
     Street, in Marfa, Presidio County, Texas, is--
       (A) associated with the period of racial segregation in 
     Marfa public schools; and
       (B) the only extant property directly associated with 
     Hispanic education in Marfa since the other buildings were 
     torn down after the Blackwell School closed in 1965;
       (2) the Blackwell School is a tangible reminder of the 
     period during which the doctrine of ``separate but equal'' 
     dominated education and social systems;
       (3) despite being categorized as ``white'' by Texas law, 
     Mexican Americans were regularly excluded from commingling 
     with Anglo individuals at barbershops, restaurants, funeral 
     homes, theaters, churches, and schools;
       (4) the spectrum of experiences of students and teachers at 
     the Blackwell School are an important record of life in a 
     segregated school in the context of the history of Texas and 
     the United States;
       (5) Mexican and Mexican American culture and history in 
     Marfa is tied to the Blackwell School, which for more than 50 
     years served as a leading feature of the Hispanic community, 
     illustrating the challenge of maintaining cultural identity 
     in a dominant Anglo society;
       (6) Hispanic influences continue to be seen in social and 
     religious organizations, business and government 
     institutions, and shared experiences of language, food, and 
     music in Marfa, Texas;
       (7) the historic Blackwell School building is a physical 
     record of--
       (A) the longevity and beauty of the distinctive design and 
     craftsmanship informed by traditional techniques and 
     materials; and
       (B) the transition from the purely vernacular to the period 
     of materials, design, and workmanship made available after 
     the arrival of the railroad;
       (8) the original historic school building and grounds on 
     which the Blackwell School building stands provide an 
     authentic setting to commemorate and interpret the history of 
     the Blackwell School;
       (9) the Blackwell School is closely associated with the 
     broad patterns of local, State, and national history in the 
     area of school segregation; and
       (10) Mexicans and other members of the Latin American 
     diaspora have placed a high value on education as a means of 
     economic, social, and political advancement, but Hispanics 
     and Latinos have not always had equitable opportunities and 
     access to quality educational facilities in the United 
     States.

     SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

       In this Act:
       (1) Map.--The term ``map'' means the map entitled 
     ``Blackwell School National Historic Site Proposed 
     Boundary'', numbered 593/178387, and dated February 2022.
       (2) National historic site.--The term ``National Historic 
     Site'' means the Blackwell School National Historic Site 
     established by section 4(a)(1).
       (3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of the Interior.

     SEC. 4. ESTABLISHMENT OF THE BLACKWELL SCHOOL NATIONAL 
                   HISTORIC SITE.

       (a) Establishment.--
       (1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), there is 
     established the Blackwell School National Historic Site in 
     the State of Texas as a unit of the National Park System to 
     preserve, protect, and interpret for the benefit of present 
     and future generations the Blackwell School, including--
       (A) the role of the Blackwell School as an academic and 
     cultural cornerstone in Marfa, Texas; and
       (B) the function of the Blackwell School within a 
     segregated system of education in Texas and the United States 
     from the period of 1885 through 1965.
       (2) Determination by secretary.--The National Historic Site 
     shall not be established until the date on which the 
     Secretary determines that--
       (A) a written agreement has been entered into by the 
     Secretary with the Marfa Unified School District providing 
     that the Blackwell School shall be donated to the United 
     States or co-managed with the Secretary for inclusion in a 
     national historic site to be managed consistently with the 
     purposes of a national historic site; and
       (B) a sufficient quantity of land or an interest in land 
     within the boundaries of the National Historic Site has been 
     acquired to constitute a manageable unit.
       (b) Map.--
       (1) Boundaries.--The boundaries of the National Historic 
     Site shall be the boundaries generally depicted on the map.
       (2) Availability of map.--The map shall be on file and 
     available for public inspection in the appropriate offices of 
     the National Park Service.
       (c) Acquisition of Authority.--The Secretary may only 
     acquire any land or interest in land located within the 
     boundary of the National Historic Site by--
       (1) donation;
       (2) purchase with donated funds; or
       (3) exchange.
       (d) Administration.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary shall administer the 
     National Historic Site in accordance with--
       (A) this Act; and
       (B) the laws generally applicable to units of the National 
     Park System.
       (2) Management plan.--
       (A) In general.--Not later than 3 years after the date on 
     which funds are first made available to the Secretary to 
     prepare a general management plan for the National Historic 
     Site, the Secretary shall prepare a general management plan 
     for the National Historic Site in accordance with section 
     100502 of title 54, United States Code.
       (B) Submission.--On completion of the general management 
     plan under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall submit to 
     the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate 
     and the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of 
     Representatives the general management plan prepared under 
     that subparagraph.
       (e) Cooperative Agreements.--The Secretary shall enter into 
     cooperative agreements with the Blackwell School Alliance and 
     other local, regional, State, academic, and nonprofit 
     partners for interpretive and educational programming, 
     technical assistance, and rehabilitation relating to the 
     National Historic Site.
       (f) Written Consent of Owner.--No private property or non-
     Federal public property shall be included within the 
     boundaries of the National Historic Site or managed as part 
     of the National Historic Site without the written consent of 
     the owner of the property.

  Ms. HIRONO. I yield the floor.


                               H.R. 7691

  Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, every day, brave Ukrainian soldiers are 
preventing Putin from posing a bigger threat to the region and the West 
by stopping his unquenchable thirst for power. Supporting this effort 
is in our national security interests, and we can do it without putting 
Americans in harm's way.
  While we must tackle challenges at home, we can't ignore threats 
abroad. Make no mistake: Putin is a threat.
  Just as this administration's failure to secure the southern border 
has encouraged more illegal immigration, failing to support Ukraine's 
sovereignty will only encourage further aggression by Russia and 
embolden others, like China.
  I wish President Biden had done more sooner to put Ukraine in a 
position to repel the Russian invasion we all knew was coming. I think 
there were some in his administration who were advising President Biden 
to be cautious in our support to Ukraine lest we provoke Putin into 
doing what President Biden was publicly warning he was about to do. In 
retrospect, that looks foolish. That said, our support to Ukraine to 
date has been and continues to be a worthwhile investment in our 
security.
  On the other hand, President Biden should be as concerned about 
breaches of our U.S. border as he is about Ukraine's border. Both are 
national security and humanitarian crises and neither should be 
ignored. My colleagues and I will continue doing our part, including by 
demanding a vote to uphold title 42.
  When it comes to a murdering thug like Putin, history shows us that 
waiting too long to act can have devastating consequences. That is why 
we must continue sending humanitarian and military aid to Ukraine while 
also

[[Page S2607]]

fortifying our military. A Ukrainian victory will put Russia in its 
place and make other countries, namely China, think twice before taking 
aggressive military actions of their own. In these moments, it is our 
responsibility to support peace and preserve a stable world for future 
generations.
  The bill the Senate will soon vote on is at least as much an American 
national security bill as it is support for Ukraine's heroic fight for 
survival. In fact, roughly 25 percent of the funds in this bill are 
allocated to replenish U.S. weapons stockpiles. This isn't money for 
weapons for Ukraine, but to ensure that, even after all the military 
aid we have provided to Ukraine, we have sufficient stockpiles to 
ensure our national security in case of another contingency. In fact, a 
combined total of roughly 40 percent of the funds in this bill will go 
to fortify our military, both at home and in Europe. Roughly 50 percent 
of the funds in this bill will go to supplying specific equipment 
needed by Ukraine's military, as well as the militaries of our NATO 
frontline allies, and to meet the humanitarian needs of Ukrainians 
suffering from Russian attacks.
  I have heard from hundreds of Iowans whose hearts go out to the 
people of Ukraine after seeing countless reports of Russian brutality. 
Because of our own history, Americans naturally sympathize with an 
underdog seeking freedom and independence in the face of an imperialist 
tyrant. But, as I have said, this bill is not primarily about sympathy 
for Ukraine, as natural as that is.
  This bill is about American national security. By fighting and dying 
to defend their land, Ukrainians are doing us a favor. Putin is a 
threat. If he is stopped in Ukraine, it will save greater expense in 
American taxpayer money, not to mention the potential spilling of 
American blood. This bill is not cheap, but compared to the size of our 
economy, our investment in Ukrainian victory is still smaller 
percentagewise than that of several Eastern Flank NATO allies, who know 
full well that any weapons transferred to Ukraine now are ones our own 
troops won't have to use to defend NATO territory in the future. This 
is a good investment in our future security.

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