[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 212 (Tuesday, December 16, 2025)]
[Senate]
[Pages S8755-S8757]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK AND NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK ESTABLISHMENT
AND BOUNDARY ADJUSTMENTS ACT OF 2025
Mrs. GILLIBRAND. Mr. President, during World War II, Fort Ontario was
the only U.S. refugee shelter for people fleeing the Holocaust. Let me
say it again. Fort Ontario was the only U.S. refugee shelter for people
fleeing the Holocaust.
After a perilous 2-week Atlantic crossing, 982 refugees arrived in
Oswego, NY, seeking safety. At Fort Ontario, they found more than a
shelter--they found hope and a chance to rebuild their lives.
Located along Lake Ontario, the Fort Ontario Holocaust Refugee
Shelter was intended to be the first of many such havens across the
country. But it was the only one that ever came to fruition, and it was
one of the first places where American residents would hear firsthand
accounts of the Holocaust.
We are in the midst of Hanukkah, a time that reminds us of the power
of resilience and the importance of choosing light over darkness. As
anti-Semitism continues to rise and Jewish communities around the world
mourn the horrifying anti-Semitic attacks in Sydney, Australia, I am
reminded constantly of how essential it is to seek out the light and to
lift up the stories of Holocaust survivors who came to our shores in
search of a better life.
For years, I have been working with local community members to honor
and preserve this site. I have listened to their stories, and I have
heard about the importance of the Fort Ontario Holocaust Refugee
Shelter to them and their families.
I have seen how Fort Ontario stands as a testament to American
compassion and to the strength of those survivors who found refuge
there amid one of humanity's darkest, most evil hours. Its story
deserves a permanent place in our national memory as part of the
National Park System.
Establishing the Fort Ontario Holocaust Refugee Shelter National
Historic Park would give this site permanent protection and make sure
it is preserved for future generations so they can learn about its
history of hope, compassion, and resilience.
I want to thank Congresswoman Tenney and former Congressman Katko for
helping me lead the effort, for doing the work that was necessary in
the House. I also want to thank Senator Hawley for his partnership here
in the Senate.
I urge the unanimous consent for this extraordinary piece of
legislation.
I suggest the absence of a quorum.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
The senior assistant executive clerk proceeded to call the roll
Mrs. GILLIBRAND. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the
order for the quorum call be rescinded.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
Mrs. GILLIBRAND. Mr. President, I rise to support our legislation,
which I just spoke on, about Fort Ontario.
I want to thank Senator Hawley for his leadership and making sure we
had a bipartisan effort to get this done. With his collaboration, we
have literally enshrined now, as a national park, a testament to
Americans who supported and helped refugees who fled from the
Holocaust. And it is an absolute testament to strength and light in
darkness. Thank you, Senator Hawley.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Missouri.
Mr. HAWLEY. Mr. President, I want to thank Senator Gillibrand. It has
been a privilege to work with her on this, over a couple of years now.
Mr. President, notwithstanding rule XXII, I ask unanimous consent
that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of S. 3490,
submitted earlier today.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the bill by title.
The senior assistant legislative clerk read as follows:
A bill (S. 3490) to establish the Fort Ontario Holocaust
Refugee Shelter National Historical Park, to designate the
America's National Churchill Museum National Historic
Landmark, and for other purposes.
There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill.
Mr. HAWLEY. I ask unanimous consent that the bill 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 bill (S. 3490) was ordered to be engrossed for a third reading,
was read the third time, and passed as follows:
S. 3490
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 ``National Historical Park and
National Historic Landmark Establishment and Boundary
Adjustments Act of 2025''.
SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT OF FORT ONTARIO HOLOCAUST REFUGEE
SHELTER NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Map.--The term ``map'' means the map entitled ``Fort
Ontario Holocaust Refugee Shelter National Historical Park
Proposed Boundary'', numbered 962/194,681, and dated
September 2024.
(2) National historical park.--The term ``National
Historical Park'' means the Fort Ontario Holocaust Refugee
Shelter National Historical Park established by subsection
(b)(1).
(3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of the Interior.
(4) State.--The term ``State'' means the State of New York.
(b) Establishment.--
(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (3), there is
established in the State as a unit of the National Park
System the Fort Ontario Holocaust Refugee Shelter National
Historical Park.
(2) Purpose.--The purpose of the National Historical Park
is to preserve, protect, and interpret for the benefit of
present and future generations resources associated with the
stories of the 982 refugees from World War II who were housed
at Fort Ontario from August of 1944 until February of 1946.
(3) Conditions of establishment.--
(A) Determination by the secretary.--The National
Historical Park shall not be established until the date on
which the Secretary determines that a sufficient quantity of
land or interests in land has been acquired from land
identified as ``Proposed Boundary'' on the map to constitute
a manageable park unit.
(B) Notice.--Not later than 30 days after the date on which
the Secretary makes a determination under subparagraph (A),
the Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register notice of
the establishment of the National Historical Park.
(4) Map.--The map shall be on file and available for public
inspection in the appropriate offices of the National Park
Service.
(5) Boundary.--The boundary of the National Historical Park
shall include any land or interests in land acquired by the
Secretary under this section.
(c) Administration.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall administer the
National Historical Park in accordance with--
(A) this section; and
(B) the laws generally applicable to units of the National
Park System, including--
(i) sections 100101(a), 100751(a), 100752, 100753, and
102101 of title 54, United States Code; and
(ii) chapters 1003 and 3201 of title 54, United States
Code.
(2) Agreements.--
(A) Cooperative agreements.--In accordance with section
101702 of title 54, United
[[Page S8756]]
States Code, the Secretary may enter into cooperative
agreements with the State or other public and private
entities to provide interpretive and educational services
within the National Historical Park.
(B) Interpretation and restoration agreements.--The
Secretary may enter into agreements to identify, interpret,
and restore nationally significant historic or cultural
resources located on non-Federal land within the boundary of,
or in close proximity to, the National Historical Park.
(C) Public access.--Any cooperative agreement entered into
under subparagraph (B) to provide assistance to non-Federal
land shall provide for reasonable public access to the non-
Federal land.
(3) Acquisition of land.--
(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), the Secretary
may acquire land and interests in land located within the
boundary of the National Historical Park by--
(i) donation;
(ii) purchase with donated or appropriated funds; or
(iii) exchange.
(B) Limitation.--Any land owned by the State or a political
subdivision of the State may be acquired for inclusion in the
National Historical Park only by donation.
(4) Management plan.--Not later than 3 fiscal years after
the date on which funds are made available to carry out this
section, the Secretary, in consultation with the State, shall
complete a general management plan for the National
Historical Park in accordance with--
(A) section 100502 of title 54, United States Code; and
(B) any other applicable laws.
SEC. 3. AMERICA'S NATIONAL CHURCHILL MUSEUM NATIONAL HISTORIC
LANDMARK.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) City.--The term ``City'' means the city of Fulton,
Missouri.
(2) College.--The term ``College'' means Westminster
College, located at 501 Westminster Avenue in the City.
(3) Landmark.--The term ``Landmark'' means the America's
National Churchill Museum National Historic Landmark
designated by subsection (b)(1).
(4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of the Interior.
(5) State.--The term ``State'' means the State of Missouri.
(b) Designation of America's National Churchill Museum
National Historic Landmark.--
(1) In general.--America's National Churchill Museum
located at the College, including the Winston Churchill
Memorial listed on the National Register of Historic Places,
is designated as the ``America's National Churchill Museum
National Historic Landmark''.
(2) Cooperative agreements.--
(A) In general.--The Secretary, in consultation with the
State, the City, and the College, may enter into cooperative
agreements with appropriate public or private entities, for
the purposes of--
(i) protecting historic resources at the Landmark; and
(ii) providing educational and interpretive facilities and
programs at the Landmark for the public.
(B) Technical and financial assistance.--The Secretary may
provide technical and financial assistance to any entity with
which the Secretary has entered into a cooperative agreement
under subparagraph (A).
(3) No effect on actions of property owners.--Designation
of the America's National Churchill Museum as a National
Historic Landmark shall not prohibit any actions that may
otherwise be taken by a property owner (including the College
and any other owner of the Landmark) with respect to the
property of the owner.
(4) No effect on administration.--Nothing in this
subsection affects the administration of the Landmark by the
State, the City, or the College.
(c) Special Resource Study.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall conduct a special
resource study of the Landmark.
(2) Contents.--In conducting the study under this
subsection, the Secretary shall--
(A) evaluate the national significance of the Landmark;
(B) determine the suitability and feasibility of
designating the Landmark as a unit of the National Park
System;
(C)(i) consider alternatives to that designation for the
preservation, protection, and interpretation of the Landmark
by the Federal Government, the State, the City and other
affected units of local government, or private and nonprofit
organizations (including the College); and
(ii) identify cost estimates for any Federal acquisition,
development, interpretation, operation, and maintenance
associated with the alternatives described in clause (i); and
(D) consult with interested Federal agencies, the State,
the City and other affected units of local government,
private and nonprofit entities (including the College), and
other interested individuals.
(3) Requirement.--The Secretary shall conduct the study
under this subsection in accordance with section 100507 of
title 54, United States Code.
(4) Report.--Not later than 3 years after the date on which
funds are first made available to carry out the study under
this subsection, 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 a report that describes--
(A) the results of the study; and
(B) any conclusions and recommendations of the Secretary.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Missouri.
Mr. HAWLEY. Mr. President, in the fall of 1945, former Prime Minister
Winston Spencer Churchill received an otherwise nondescript letter from
a college in the middle of Missouri that I suspect he had not heard of.
It was from Westminster College, in Fulton, MO--a letter signed by the
president, F.L. McCluer--and it invited the former Prime Minister of
the United Kingdom to come and deliver a lecture in the winter of 1945
or 1946, or in the spring of 1946, as the letter says. ``We should be
glad to arrange the date or dates to suit your convenience,'' the
President of Westminster told this most famous of former Prime
Ministers.
I wonder what might have happened had there not been a postscript
attached to this same letter, handwritten at the bottom in the left
corner, as it came to Mr. Churchill, in a different hand from that
signed by the president.
The postscript reads:
This is a wonderful school in my home state. Hope you can
do it. I will introduce you.
And that is signed by Harry S. Truman.
Well, as it turns out, Winston Churchill accepted this invitation
from F.L. McCluer and Harry S. Truman, and in March of 1946, Prime
Minister Churchill boarded President Truman's Presidential train and
traveled with him over land to Fulton, MO, a visit that took him to
Westminster College and a visit that took Westminster College into the
history books, because it was there, in March of 1946, that Winston
Churchill delivered his famous speech, in which he said:
From Stettin in the Baltic to Trieste in the Adriatic an
iron curtain has descended across the continent.
Churchill called this speech the ``Sinews of Peace'' speech, but as
everyone listening to these words knows, it has become immortalized
forever as the ``Iron Curtain'' speech.
It was a perilous moment in Europe, the onset of the Cold War, at a
time when Europe and much of the West were exhausted and really wished
that perhaps there was a way to just make peace with the Soviet Union,
to look the other way, to say: It is time to recover after years of
warfare. We couldn't risk another confrontation. The stakes are too
high. The people are too exhausted.
And Churchill reminded the West of the civilizational principles on
which we are founded and which the United States and the United Kingdom
share together, the principles of conscience and what he called
Christian civilization, the principles of faith and liberty that
undergirded our alliance in the Second World War, that had been the
principles on which this Nation was founded from the beginning and that
continue to animate us today.
And Churchill spoke with great boldness and moral clarity for those
principles on that day in March in 1946 in a speech that deserves the
fame that has been attached to it ever since.
Now, the interesting thing is when he came there to Fulton, such a
crowd gathered to hear Prime Minister Churchill that they couldn't find
enough space in the town of Fulton. It is not a very big town. In fact,
the only space they had in town or on the campus big enough was a
gymnasium--the Westminster College gymnasium--which is where Churchill
delivered his famous address, with President Harry S. Truman there
introducing him, just as he had promised.
Well, in the years that followed, the good folks at Westminster
College decided that, perhaps, a more fitting memorial would be in
order, and so they found the remains of a church in the United Kingdom,
right near London, St. Mary Aldermanbury, which had first been built in
1181 as a Christian parish church and used in continuous service from
the 12th century. It was destroyed by the Great Fire of London in 1666,
after which it was rebuilt and redesigned by the great Sir Christopher
Wren, only for it to be demolished again by the Blitz in 1940.
And as it existed in this time, in 1946, it was basically just a pile
of rubble, bricks destroyed by the Nazi onslaught. The people of
Westminster
[[Page S8757]]
took that church and those bricks and brought them to the site of
Churchill's famous speech and rebuilt it.
You can see a picture of it here, with a statue of Churchill giving
his famous address--St. Mary Aldermanbury, as reimagined by Sir
Christopher Wren, a church that existed for 1,000 years, standing for
the rights of liberty and conscience, standing for the deepest
principles of mankind that this Nation has always itself stood for,
brought from the UK to the heart of the United States, in central
Missouri, and rebuilt there.
I can't help but think of the symbolism that these civilizational
values, these sinews of our Christian civilization, defended for so
long in the United Kingdom but finding their true home in the United
States of America. Just as that church was rebuilt in the heart of
Missouri, so in the heart of this country, still the defense of the
West lives on; moral courage and moral clarity burn on.
And as Churchill gave voice to those principles in that day, this
building now stands in Fulton, MO, as a testament to what we believe
in, to what we stand for, and to the moral purpose that continues to
animate us in 2025.
And since that time, that building and that location have been turned
into the National Churchill Museum by the folks at Westminster. And,
today, we have just passed legislation that will finally recognize this
most significant site, commemorating a most significant event, as a
national historic landmark that the National Park Service will
administer and maintain so that generations of Americans and people of
goodwill everywhere can come to that site and learn about Churchill's
speech and perhaps, more fundamentally, learn about the principles of
liberty and conscience and faith and moral virtue on which this Nation
and, indeed, the whole of the West were founded.
This is an appropriate moment, I think, as we close this year, to
honor the legacy of Winston Churchill, the legacy of Westminster
College, and, indeed, the legacy of the West.
May we do our part always to defend it.
I yield the floor.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from South Carolina.
Shooting in Sydney, Australia
Mr. SCOTT of South Carolina. In light of the Sunday attack in
Australia on the Jewish community, I wanted to read a letter sent by my
friend Scott Reckler to his family--he is Jewish--in response to the
Jewish community's pain and misery that they were feeling,
experiencing. This is a real-time letter that he sent to his family on
Sunday. I thought it would be appropriate for us to hear these powerful
words written to Scott's family:
So each year, we light our own menorahs to remember that
light can triumph over darkness, that courage and faith can
outlast oppression, and that the smallest spark can ignite
hope for generations.
Tonight is the first night of Hanukkah. It arrives during a
moment that feels heavy and unsettling--a time when
antisemitism is surging in ways I have never experienced in
my lifetime.
Scott is 58 years old.
I had hoped that the recent movement toward peace in the
Middle East and a reduction in protests might cool the
temperature. Instead, it feels as though the ancient and ugly
beast of antisemitism has been unleashed again, and it will
not be easily forced back into the bottle.
Earlier today--
He is talking on Sunday, of course--
that reality became heartbreakingly clear. Jews gathered at
Bondi Beach in Australia to celebrate what would have been
the first public Hanukkah menorah lighting of 2025 anywhere
in the world--a moment meant to symbolize light, unity, and
hope.
Instead, it became a scene of unimaginable horror. Two
armed men opened fire on the gathering. At least eleven
people were killed simply for being Jewish. Dozens more were
wounded, including police officers. One attacker was killed,
the other apprehended, but none of that changes the
devastation left behind. The pain is overwhelming. The shock,
the sadness, the anger--all of it sits heavily.
But history has taught us something essential: our response
matters just as much as our grief. The Jewish answer to
darkness has never been retreat. It has always been light.
Our response does not need to be loud or performative. It
needs to be intentional, dignified, and deeply rooted in who
we are.
Let us each take on an extra mitzvah in memory of our holy
brothers and sisters who were murdered simply because they
were Jewish. A small act of goodness. A moment of kindness.
An affirmation of life.
If I may suggest one simple but powerful act: tonight, when
we gather with family and friends, let us be especially
mindful as we light the Chanukah menorah. The single candle
we light on the first night represents more than tradition.
It represents oneness. It represents resilience. It
represents the unbroken chain of a people who refuse to let
darkness define them. That small flame projects a message--
quietly but unmistakably--that we are still here, that we are
proud of who we are, and that we will continue,
unapologetically, to share light with the world. Let us be
who we are in the most beautiful way: proud Jews, joyful
Jews, strong Jews--committed to goodness, justice, and life.
Light does not diminish when it is shared. Light only grows.
This Hanukkah season, let those of us--my words, not his--who are
Christians light a candle for our Jewish communities, for the strength
of our Jewish communities, for the protection of our Jewish
communities, and for God's favor to shine on our Jewish communities.
Finally, remembering the words of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther
King, Jr.:
Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.
Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.
May 2026 be the year that people of good intent stand strong with
those who should not have to stand by themselves. May we as a nation,
we as a people, and specifically we as Christians stand not just with
the Jewish community, but, when possible and necessary, may we stand in
front of the Jewish community.
I yield the floor.
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