[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 120 (Wednesday, July 20, 2022)]
[House]
[Page H6890]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   PRESERVING THE ALABAMA BLACK BELT

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
Alabama (Ms. Sewell) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. SEWELL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the passage of 
H.R. 3222, the Alabama Black Belt National Heritage Act, which passed 
this House by a vote of 365-57.
  As a daughter of Alabama's historic Black Belt, I am proud to be the 
lead sponsor of this legislation to ensure that this region's 
meaningful history is preserved for generations to come. As the 
birthplace of the civil rights and voting rights movements, the Black 
Belt represents the tireless efforts of the foot soldiers to end 
discrimination against African Americans and the continued struggle for 
full racial equality in our Nation.
  This new designation will not only bring about national attention to 
the rich history and culture of Alabama's Black Belt, but it will also 
increase tourism, investment, and economic opportunity for many of the 
rural communities that I so proudly represent.
  I thank Senator Shelby for leading this bipartisan legislation in the 
Senate, and I also thank the University of West Alabama and the 
National Parks Conservation Association for their tireless work to 
promote this legislation.
  Madam Speaker, I urge the Senate to pass H.R. 3222 as soon as 
possible.

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