[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 150 (Monday, September 19, 2022)]
[House]
[Pages H7937-H7939]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              NEW PHILADELPHIA NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE ACT

  Mr. GRIJALVA. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 820) to establish the New Philadelphia National Historical 
Park in the State of Illinois as a unit of the National Park System, 
and for other purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                                H.R. 820

       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 ``New Philadelphia National 
     Historic Site Act''.

     SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

       In this Act:
       (1) Historic site.--The term ``Historic Site'' means the 
     New Philadelphia National Historic Site established by this 
     Act.
       (2) Map.--The term ``Map'' means the map titled ``New 
     Philadelphia National Historic Site Proposed Boundary'', 
     numbered 591/176,516, and dated July, 2021.
       (3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of the Interior.
       (4) State.--The term ``State'' means the State of Illinois.

     SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT OF NEW PHILADELPHIA.

       (a) Establishment.--Subject to subsection (c), there is 
     established the New Philadelphia National Historic Site in 
     the State of Illinois as a unit of the National Park System 
     to preserve, protect, and interpret the history and 
     archeological resources of the town established by Frank 
     McWorter, a formerly enslaved man, in 1836.
       (b) Boundary.--The boundaries of the Historic Site shall be 
     the boundaries generally depicted on the Map.
       (c) Secretarial Determination.--The Historic Site shall not 
     be established until the date on which the Secretary 
     determines that the Secretary has acquired a sufficient 
     quantity of land or interests in and within the boundary of 
     the Historic Site to constitute a manageable unit.
       (d) Notice.--Not later than 30 days after the date on which 
     the Secretary makes a determination under subsection (c), the 
     Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register notice of the 
     establishment of the Historic Site.

     SEC. 4. ADMINISTRATION.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary shall administer land within 
     the boundary of the Historic Site in accordance with--
       (1) this Act; and
       (2) the laws generally applicable to units of the National 
     Park System, including--
       (A) section 100101(a), chapter 1003, and sections 
     100751(a), 100752, 100753, and 102101 of title 54, United 
     States Code; and
       (B) chapter 3201 of title 54, United States Code.
       (b) Cooperative Agreements.--The Secretary may enter into 
     cooperative agreements with the State or other public and 
     nonpublic entities, under which the Secretary may identify, 
     interpret, and provide assistance for the preservation of 
     non-Federal land within the boundaries of the Historic Site 
     and at sites in close proximity to the Historic Site, but 
     located outside the boundaries of the Historic Site, 
     including providing for placement of directional and 
     interpretive signage, exhibits, and technology-based 
     interpretive devices.
       (c) Acquisition of Land.--The Secretary may acquire any 
     land (including interests in land), within the Historic Site 
     boundary by donation, transfer, exchange, or purchase from a 
     willing seller using donated or appropriate funds.
       (d) Management Plan.--Not later than 3 years after the date 
     on which funds are first made available to carry out this 
     Act, the Secretary, in consultation with the State, shall 
     complete a general management plan for the Historic Site in 
     accordance with any other applicable laws.
       (e) No Buffer Zone Created.--Nothing in this Act, the 
     acquisition of the land or an interest in land authorized by 
     this Act, or the management plan for the Park shall be 
     construed to create buffer zones outside of the Park. That 
     activities or uses can be seen, heard, or detected from the 
     acquired land shall not preclude, limit,

[[Page H7938]]

     control, regulate, or determine the conduct or management of 
     activities or uses outside of the Park.
       (f) Eminent Domain or Condemnation.--In carrying out this 
     Act, the Secretary of the Interior may not use eminent domain 
     or condemnation.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Arizona (Mr. Grijalva) and the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Carl) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Arizona.


                             General Leave

  Mr. GRIJALVA. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their 
remarks and include extraneous material on the measure under 
consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Arizona?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. GRIJALVA. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 820, the New Philadelphia 
National Historic Site Act. New Philadelphia was the first town platted 
and legally registered by an African American before the Civil War. It 
is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, designated as a 
National Historic Landmark, and included in the National Park Service's 
National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom program.
  This bill would further establish the New Philadelphia National 
Historic Site in Pike County, Illinois.
  Honoring the legacy of New Philadelphia and celebrating the history 
of Black Americans is critically important. The protection and 
conservation of New Philadelphia ensures that this important history is 
preserved so that visitors to the site can have the opportunity to 
learn from and understand an important part of Illinois and American 
history.
  The story of New Philadelphia is our story, and it rightly deserves a 
place in our National Park System.
  As chair of the Natural Resources Committee, I am committed to 
advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout our committee's 
work, including by advancing the preservation of forgotten or under-
told stories.
  I thank my colleague, Representative LaHood, for introducing this 
important legislation and championing the bill on behalf of, not only 
of his constituents, but the overall interest of the American people.
  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes,'' and I reserve 
the balance of my time.
  Mr. CARL. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 820, the New Philadelphia 
National Historic Site Act, sponsored by Congressman Darin LaHood of 
Illinois, which would establish New Philadelphia as a unit of the 
National Park System.
  New Philadelphia Town Site, located near Barry, Illinois, is the 
first known town in the United States to be established and officially 
registered by an African American.
  The national historic site established by this bill will tell the 
inspiring story of ``Free Frank'' McWorter, who founded New 
Philadelphia in 1836. He was born into slavery in South Carolina in 
1777 and spent the first 42 years of his life enslaved. He worked to 
save enough money to purchase the freedom of his expectant wife, Lucy, 
and ensuring the freedom of their child. Two years later, he purchased 
his own freedom.
  The family moved to a pioneer homestead in Illinois, where McWorter 
founded a town called New Philadelphia where free-born and formerly 
enslaved African Americans lived, alongside European Americans in a 
region and an era intense with racial strife.
  New Philadelphia was added to the National Register of Historic 
Places in 2005 and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2009. 
New Philadelphia is also listed as part of the National Underground 
Railroad Network to Freedom.
  I commend Representative LaHood for sponsoring this bipartisan and 
locally supported bill. New Philadelphia will be a valuable addition to 
the National Park System.
  Madam Speaker, I urge adoption of this bill, and I reserve the 
balance of my time.
  Mr. GRIJALVA. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time on 
my side, and I am prepared to close. I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. CARL. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. LaHood).
  Mr. LaHOOD. Madam Speaker, I thank my friend from Alabama (Mr. Carl) 
for yielding and for his terrific work on the Natural Resources 
Committee, and I thank the majority and Chairman Grijalva for their 
support.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of my bipartisan bill, 
H.R. 820, the New Philadelphia National Historic Site Act.
  Located in West Central Illinois, near the Missouri border, in Barry, 
Illinois, is New Philadelphia. Founded in 1836 by Frank McWorter, this 
was the first town founded, platted, and registered by an African 
American in the United States.
  Once an enslaved person himself, Mr. Frank McWorter also known as 
``Free Frank,'' bought his freedom. Mr. McWorter went on in his life 
and in his legacy to establish New Philadelphia, but also to 
demonstrate the critical role many African Americans played in their 
own freedom efforts.
  Through the sale of land in New Philadelphia, among other business 
ventures, Free Frank used his earnings to free 15 other family members 
out of slavery. Additionally, many of the residents of New 
Philadelphia, both European Americans and African Americans, later came 
together to assist freedom-seekers moving north from slave-occupied 
States and locations.
  The 40-acre original townsite is now nationally and historically 
significant. It is an archaeological site, advancing our understanding 
of free, rural communities and the abolitionist movement in the 
antebellum area.
  The New Philadelphia site has already been recognized for its 
historical significance. It is currently on the National Register of 
Historic Places and is designated as a National Historic Landmark. The 
site is also included in the National Park Service Underground Railroad 
Network to Freedom program, and the Smithsonian National Museum of 
American History displays many of the artifacts unearthed from the area 
near New Philadelphia.

  This bipartisan bill would establish the New Philadelphia National 
Historical Park in the State of Illinois as a unit of the National Park 
System.
  Many local and regional organizations have worked tirelessly for many 
years to preserve and protect this site and they deserve so much 
credit. One organization in particular, the New Philadelphia 
Association, has done a tremendous job in improving, maintaining, and 
endorsing the site for the benefit of New Philadelphia descendants, 
those living in the surrounding community, and those visiting from 
afar. I am delighted to be here tonight to assist their efforts and 
support the continued advocacy of many of my engaged constituents on 
this issue.
  Including New Philadelphia in the National Park System would provide 
certainty and ensure its continued preservation far into the future. 
The National Park Service will be able to provide the tools, resources, 
and expertise necessary to elevate the site to its fullest potential.
  It is imperative that sites like New Philadelphia are preserved for 
years to come, so that future generations can better understand their 
important history as well as the lessons that history provides us.
  In closing, I thank the Natural Resources Committee for supporting 
this important piece of legislation, and I urge the adoption of the 
bill.
  Mr. CARL. Madam Speaker, I urge the adoption of this bill, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. GRIJALVA. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Grijalva) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 820, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  The title of the bill was amended so as to read: ``A bill to 
establish the New

[[Page H7939]]

Philadelphia National Historic Site in the State of Illinois as a unit 
of the National Park System, and for other purposes.''.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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