[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 1]
[House]
[Pages 265-267]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




            BUFFALO SOLDIERS IN THE NATIONAL PARKS STUDY ACT

  Mr. JOHNSON of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
pass the bill (H.R. 1022) to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to 
conduct a study of alternatives for commemorating and interpreting the 
role of the Buffalo Soldiers in the early years of the National Parks, 
and for other purposes.

[[Page 266]]

  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 1022

       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 ``Buffalo Soldiers in the 
     National Parks Study Act''.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.

       (a) Findings.--The Congress finds the following:
       (1) In the late 19th century and early 20th century, 
     African-American troops who came to be known as the Buffalo 
     Soldiers served in many critical roles in the western United 
     States, including protecting some of the first National 
     Parks.
       (2) Based at the Presidio in San Francisco, Buffalo 
     Soldiers were assigned to Sequoia and Yosemite National Parks 
     where they patrolled the backcountry, built trails, stopped 
     poaching, and otherwise served in the roles later assumed by 
     National Park rangers.
       (3) The public would benefit from having opportunities to 
     learn more about the Buffalo Soldiers in the National Parks 
     and their contributions to the management of National Parks 
     and the legacy of African-Americans in the post-Civil War 
     era.
       (4) As the centennial of the National Park Service in 2016 
     approaches, it is an especially appropriate time to conduct 
     research and increase public awareness of the stewardship 
     role the Buffalo Soldiers played in the early years of the 
     National Parks.
       (b) Purpose.--The purpose of this Act is to authorize a 
     study to determine the most effective ways to increase 
     understanding and public awareness of the critical role that 
     the Buffalo Soldiers played in the early years of the 
     National Parks.

     SEC. 3. STUDY.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary of the Interior shall 
     conduct a study of alternatives for commemorating and 
     interpreting the role of the Buffalo Soldiers in the early 
     years of the National Parks.
       (b) Contents of Study.--The study shall include--
       (1) a historical assessment, based on extensive research, 
     of the Buffalo Soldiers who served in National Parks in the 
     years prior to the establishment of the National Park 
     Service;
       (2) an evaluation of the suitability and feasibility of 
     establishing a national historic trail commemorating the 
     route traveled by the Buffalo Soldiers from their post in the 
     Presidio of San Francisco to Sequoia and Yosemite National 
     Parks and to any other National Parks where they may have 
     served;
       (3) the identification of properties that could meet 
     criteria for listing in the National Register of Historic 
     Places or criteria for designation as National Historic 
     Landmarks;
       (4) an evaluation of appropriate ways to enhance historical 
     research, education, interpretation, and public awareness of 
     the story of the Buffalo Soldiers' stewardship role in the 
     National Parks, including ways to link the story to the 
     development of National Parks and the story of African-
     American military service following the Civil War; and
       (5) any other matters that the Secretary of the Interior 
     deems appropriate for this study.
       (c) Report.--Not later than 3 years after funds are made 
     available for the study, the Secretary of the Interior shall 
     submit to the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of 
     Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural 
     Resources of the Senate a report containing the study's 
     findings and recommendations.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Ohio (Mr. Johnson) and the gentleman from the Northern Mariana Islands 
(Mr. Sablan) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Ohio.


                             General Leave

  Mr. JOHNSON of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks 
and include extraneous materials on the bill under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Ohio?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. JOHNSON of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  H.R. 1022 authorizes the National Park Service to study alternatives 
for commemorating and interpreting the role of the Buffalo Soldiers in 
the early years of the national parks.
  The Buffalo Soldiers were a segregated Army unit composed of African 
American cavalrymen. For nearly 25 years before the creation of the 
National Park Service, Yosemite National Park was administered by the 
U.S. Army. The Buffalo Soldiers played a key role protecting those park 
resources that have since been enjoyed by millions of Americans. Their 
success will be examined by this study that will focus on existing 
resources inside current national parks.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  H.R. 1022 would direct the Secretary of the Interior to study ways 
the National Park Service could commemorate the role of Buffalo 
Soldiers.
  Buffalo Soldiers were African American troops who served in the first 
national parks, including Yosemite and Sequoia National Park, prior to 
the establishment of the National Park Service.

                              {time}  1300

  The legislation, sponsored by Congresswoman Speier of California, was 
considered by the Committee on Natural Resources in May. I commend my 
colleague, Congresswoman Speier, for introducing this legislation and 
for her leadership on this issue. We strongly support this legislation.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. JOHNSON of Ohio. I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, at this time, I yield such time that she may 
consume to the Congresswoman from California (Ms. Speier), the sponsor 
of this legislation.
  Ms. SPEIER. I thank my friend from the Northern Mariana Islands for 
yielding.
  I rise today in support of this legislation, the Buffalo Soldiers in 
the National Parks Study Act, which will allow the Department of the 
Interior to study the role of Buffalo Soldiers and how they defended 
our first national parks. This is a key step in preserving the legacy 
of the Army's first African American infantry and cavalry units and the 
contributions they made to our Nation.
  This bill will evaluate the feasibility of a National Historic Trail 
along the Buffalo Soldiers' route from their historic military post at 
the San Francisco Presidio to Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks. The 
study would also identify properties that could be listed in the 
National Register of Historic Places or designations as National 
Historic Landmarks.
  For several years, Buffalo Soldier regiments traveled 320 miles along 
this route to patrol the parklands for loggers and poachers, build new 
trails, and escort visitors. The Buffalo Soldiers were among our very 
first park rangers, a challenging task these troops took on with pride 
after serving bravely in the Civil War.
  Because of the color of their skin, the Buffalo Soldiers were all too 
often marginalized instead of respected for their service to our 
Nation, both on and off the battlefield. However, during their time 
protecting the parks, they not only confronted racism and 
discrimination, they overcame it. They became respected neighbors and 
friends to people living in the park regions, and they made real 
inroads toward racial progress that were extraordinary for their day.
  Although they were assigned to watch over government property for 
only a relatively short time, the Buffalo Soldiers helped lay the 
groundwork for some of our greatest wilderness to be preserved forever.
  I'm proud that the Buffalo Soldiers traveled through my district on 
their way to the parks, and I believe this bill will help shine a light 
on the history they made in the great State of California and in many 
places across the country.
  All Americans from all walks of life would benefit from learning 
about this often overlooked chapter in our history. The Buffalo 
Soldiers' story is ultimately about the triumph not just of African 
American troops over prejudice and injustice, but about the movement of 
our Nation toward a more tolerant and courageous society.
  I thank my colleagues for supporting this bill.
  Mr. JOHNSON of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, may I ask if the minority bill 
manager has any additional speakers? We do not.
  Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.

[[Page 267]]


  Mr. JOHNSON of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, with that, I yield back the balance 
of my time.
  Mr. COLE. Mr. Speaker, I stand today in support of H.R. 1022, the 
Buffalo Soldiers in the National Parks Study Act, which will allow the 
Department of the Interior to study the role of Buffalo Soldiers and 
how they defended our first national parks. This is a key step in 
preserving the legacy of the Army's first African American infantry and 
cavalry units and the contributions they made to our Nation.
  Although history has often overlooked the contributions of the 
Buffalo Soldiers, all Americans from all walks of life would benefit 
from learning about this often overlooked chapter in our history. The 
legacy of the Buffalo Soldiers dates back to post Civil War days. 
Although African Americans have fought with distinction in all of our 
country's military engagements, their future in the Army was in doubt 
after the Civil War. In July 1866, however, Congress passed legislation 
establishing two cavalry regiments and four regiments of infantrymen, 
later merging two, whose composition was made up entirely of black 
soldiers. The troopers of the 9th and 10th Cavalries developed into two 
of the most distinguished fighting units in the Army and who were 
stationed at Ft. Sill in Oklahoma in the late 1870s. While they 
constructed key buildings on the post that still stand today, the 
Buffalo Soldiers' biggest contribution was to preserve the integrity of 
the land-runs which are such an integral part of Oklahoma, the Sooner 
state's, history and identity. Their bravery and fierce fighting 
techniques on the battlefield inspired Native Americans to call them 
``Buffalo Soldiers.''
  The Buffalo Soldiers served the United States in the harshest 
environments and under the most difficult conditions, and preserving 
their legacy will ensure that the Buffalo Soldiers' service will be 
appropriately memorialized. The Buffalo Soldiers' story is ultimately 
about the triumph not just of African American troops over prejudice 
and injustice, but about the movement of our nation westward, and 
toward a more tolerant and courageous society.
  As such, I support the effort to evaluate the feasibility of a great 
National Historic Trail along the Buffalo Soldiers' route from their 
historic military post at the San Francisco Presidio to Yosemite and 
Sequoia National Parks. Identifying properties that could be listed in 
the National Register of Historic Places or designations as National 
Historic Landmarks will help keep the Buffalo Soldiers' story alive and 
bring to light, for future generations, their story of courage while 
serving their country.
  We must all continue to work, together and as individuals, each day 
to make sure that our country truly is a community of all people and 
recognize those that came before us to make this nation strong, 
prosperous and free. We should never forget the challenges our 
predecessors faced in the creation and preservation of this great 
nation.
  Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of 
H.R. 1022, ``Buffalo Soldiers in the National Parks Study Act.'' This 
bill directs the Secretary of the Interior to study alternatives for 
the commemoration and interpretation of the role of the Buffalo 
Soldiers in the early years of the national parks.
  America's national parks are a treasure of nature's magnificent 
wonders--84 million acres of the most stunning landscapes anyone has 
ever seen. The story of the national parks is the story of people from 
every conceivable background who were willing to devote themselves to 
saving a portion of the land they loved. Among them were Buffalo 
Soldiers.
  Our country began the arduous task of rebuilding itself after a 
brutal civil war. In this war former slaves fought in Union regiments 
to pursue the ultimate goal to end slavery. These Black soldiers were 
later used in 1866, when Congress created six segregated regiments that 
ultimately became four black regiments that later became known as the 
original Buffalo Soldiers. Because of prevailing attitudes following 
the Civil War, these soldiers could only serve west of the Mississippi 
River. Their main charge was to protect settlers as they moved west and 
to support building the infrastructure needed for new settlements to 
flourish.
  Buffalo Soldiers conducted campaigns against American Indian tribes 
on a western frontier that extended from Montana in the northwest to 
Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona in the southwest. They engaged in 
several clashes against such great Indian Chiefs as Victorio, Geronimo, 
and Nana.
  ``Buffalo Soldiers'' was the name given the black cavalrymen by the 
Plains Indians. Reason for the name is uncertain. One view is that the 
Indians saw a resemblance between the black man's hair and the mane of 
a buffalo. Another view is that when a buffalo was wounded or cornered, 
it fought ferociously, displaying unusual stamina and courage. This was 
the same fighting spirit Indians saw in combat with black cavalrymen. 
Since Indians held the buffalo in such high regard, it was felt that 
the name was not given in contempt.
  Those Buffalo Soldiers not only fought in conflicts along the western 
frontier, but they were indispensible in the treacherous and desolate 
trails of the Wild West. They helped protect and build up our new 
country as it expanded west. They built roads. They protected new 
territories where they escorted settlers, cattle herds, and railroad 
crews, while battling Mexican revolutionaries, outlaws, rustlers and 
hostile Native American tribes. The Buffalo Soldiers were the 
protectors of the western frontier.
  Buffalo Soldiers played a central role in protecting national parks--
Yosemite, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. They were, in fact, 
our national parks' first ``guardians.'' These Soldiers kept the park 
free from poachers and from the ranchers whose grazing sheep destroyed 
the parks' natural habitats. They built roads, including the first 
wagon road into the Giant Forest of Sequoia.
  At a time when most of the country would not recognize their 
humanity, these brave patriots stood up to fight and protect a country 
that was just as much theirs as any other American. And I think it is 
fitting and symbolic that at a time when our Nation was rebuilding 
itself after being torn apart, it was former slaves and children of 
former slaves--Buffalo Soldiers--that rebuilt and protected our new and 
expanding country.
  As our country progresses, there will continue to be sites of 
historic and cultural significance that need to be added to the 
national park system. Commemorating and interpreting the role of the 
Buffalo Soldiers in the early years of the national parks will ensure 
the historical contributions of the Buffalo Soldiers will always be 
remembered. Celebrating the role of Buffalo Soldiers serves to 
interpret, articulate, collect, display and preserve historical 
artifacts, documents, and other historical memorabilia relating to 
these brave men.
  It is America's mandate to acknowledge and reflect America's diverse 
stories. The story of Buffalo Soldiers is an underrepresented cultural 
theme in our national parks. Commemorating Buffalo Soldiers in the 
history of the nation's national parks is a step in the right 
direction. It reflects our cultural heritage and ensures their stories 
are told for our children and grandchildren to enjoy throughout 
posterity.
  At this time I would also like to take a moment to thank a special 
Legislative Fellow in my office, Byron McKie. He has been working 
diligently to enhance the opportunities of children through STEM 
education.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Fortenberry). The question is on the 
motion offered by the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Johnson) that the House 
suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 1022.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. JOHNSON of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further 
proceedings on this question will be postponed.

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