[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 9]
[House]
[Pages 12658-12662]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    HINCHLIFFE STADIUM HERITAGE ACT

  Mr. DAINES. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 2430) to adjust the boundaries of Paterson Great Falls 
National Historical Park to include Hinchliffe Stadium, and for other 
purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 2430

       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 ``Hinchliffe Stadium Heritage 
     Act''.

     SEC. 2. PATERSON GREAT FALLS NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK 
                   BOUNDARY ADJUSTMENT.

       Section 7001 of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 
     2009 (16 U.S.C. 410lll) is amended as follows:

[[Page 12659]]

       (1) In subsection (b)(3)--
       (A) by striking ``The Park shall'' and inserting ``(A) The 
     Park shall'';
       (B) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) through (G) as 
     clauses (i) through (vii), respectively; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(B) In addition to the lands described in subparagraph 
     (A), the Park shall include the approximately 6 acres of land 
     containing Hinchliffe Stadium and generally depicted as the 
     `Boundary Modification Area' on the map entitled `Paterson 
     Great Falls National Historical Park, Proposed Boundary 
     Modification', numbered T03/120,155, and dated April 2014, 
     which shall be administered as part of the Park in accordance 
     with subsection (c)(1) and section 3 of the Hinchliffe 
     Stadium Heritage Act.''.
       (2) In subsection (b)(4), by striking ``The Map'' and 
     inserting ``The Map and the map referred to in paragraph 
     (3)(B)''.
       (3) In subsection (c)(4)--
       (A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``The Secretary'' and 
     inserting ``Except as provided in subparagraphs (B) and (C), 
     the Secretary''; and
       (B) by inserting after subparagraph (B) the following:
       ``(C) Hinchliffe stadium.--The Secretary may not acquire 
     fee title to Hinchliffe Stadium, but may acquire a 
     preservation easement in Hinchliffe Stadium if the Secretary 
     determines that doing so will facilitate resource protection 
     of the stadium.''.

     SEC. 3. ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR HINCHLIFFE STADIUM.

       In administering the approximately 6 acres of land 
     containing Hinchliffe Stadium and generally depicted as the 
     ``Boundary Modification Area'' on the map entitled ``Paterson 
     Great Falls National Historical Park, Proposed Boundary 
     Modification'', numbered T03/120,155, and dated April 2014, 
     the Secretary of the Interior--
       (1) may not include non-Federal property within the 
     approximately 6 acres of land as part of Paterson Great Falls 
     National Historical Park without the written consent of the 
     owner;
       (2) may not acquire by condemnation any land or interests 
     in land within the approximately 6 acres of land; and
       (3) shall not construe this Act or the amendments made by 
     this Act to create buffer zones outside the boundaries of the 
     Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park. That 
     activities or uses can be seen, heard or detected from areas 
     within the approximately 6 acres of land added to the 
     Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park by this Act 
     shall not preclude, limit, control, regulate or determine the 
     conduct or management of activities or uses outside of the 
     Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Montana (Mr. Daines) and the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Holt) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Montana.


                             General Leave

  Mr. DAINES. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to 
include extraneous materials on the bill under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Montana?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. DAINES. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Hinchliffe Stadium is a historic 10,000-seat municipal stadium in 
Paterson, New Jersey, built between 1931 and 1932, surrounded by the 
city's national historical landmark district. It is one of only a 
handful of stadiums surviving nationally that once played host to Negro 
League baseball.
  H.R. 2430 adds the historic Hinchliffe Stadium into the boundaries of 
the Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park, which was created in 
2009.
  This legislation amends the park's boundary to include the stadium, 
but an amendment adopted by the Natural Resources Committee prohibits 
Federal ownership. The stadium will remain as it is today, owned by 
local government.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to start by commending my friend from New 
Jersey (Mr. Pascrell) for his work--his persistent, diligent work on 
H.R. 2430 and the preceding legislation that created this important 
park site.
  The Hinchliffe Stadium Heritage Act that we are looking at now, of 
which I am pleased to be a cosponsor, enjoys the support of every 
Member of the New Jersey congressional delegation--I should say the 
enthusiastic support of every Member of the New Jersey congressional 
delegation.
  It will place within the Paterson Great Falls National Historical 
Park, which is one of the newest park service units in the country, 
this historic Hinchliffe Stadium.
  I would say by mistake or oversight or because of difficulties in the 
first drafting of the original legislation, the park boundaries did not 
include this historic stadium. This will correct that.
  H.R. 2430 would adjust the boundaries of the current Great Falls 
national historic site to include the 10,000-seat stadium, which is 
currently listed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation as one 
of the most endangered historic places in the country.
  As we have heard, this is one of the last remaining stadiums in the 
Nation where Negro League baseball games were played and is home to the 
New York Black Yankees and the New York Cubans.
  Even though the names of these teams include New York, this area is 
very much New Jersey and has tremendous importance to the people of New 
Jersey and to the history of New Jersey, and it is of interest to the 
entire country.
  In preserving this historic stadium, we will be preserving a visual 
reminder of an unfortunate, but not forgotten, era of racial 
segregation. Segregation in America extended beyond the buses of 
Alabama and the Deep South that was engrained throughout American 
society, even into our national pastime--baseball.
  The Hinchliffe Stadium will serve as an educational opportunity for 
future generations to learn about this unfortunate past, so that we can 
continue to move forward collectively as a Nation.
  This historic site brings memories and history of the industrial 
revolution, of the political and patriotic origins of our Nation, of 
art and culture, and American industry. Now, it will also include this 
historic sports site.
  Again, I applaud my colleague, Mr. Pascrell, for his efforts, and I 
urge support of this bill.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. DAINES. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield as much time as he may 
consume to my colleague from Paterson, New Jersey (Mr. Pascrell).
  Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank both managers.
  Hinchliffe Stadium overlooks the Great Falls of Paterson, New Jersey, 
one of the largest waterfalls on the east coast in the United States. 
It was built by the citizens of Paterson as a public works project 
during a very difficult financial situation in the United States, 1932. 
It was named for the mayor at that time, Judge John Hinchliffe.
  The stadium site sits directly adjacent to the Great Falls National 
Historical Park. The New York Black Yankees played there and the New 
York Cubans. These games featured baseball Hall of Famers such as 
Paterson's own hometown hero, Larry Doby, the first player to integrate 
the American League.
  Other greats such as Josh Gibson, Oscar Charleston, Judy Johnson also 
made appearances here. Besides baseball, the stadium hosted events in 
professional football, boxing, wrestling, soccer, even auto racing, 
throughout its long and storied history.
  They also were the home of the Paterson Panthers, a professional 
football team, and the great concerts that went on there. Recently, it 
played host to all high school sports under the stewardship of the 
Paterson Public Schools.
  Sadly, the stadium has sat in a state of disuse since 1997, when the 
school system could no longer afford to keep up with the maintenance. 
However, this legislation would not place the burden of restoration or 
maintenance on the National Park Service.

                              {time}  1700

  This bill would spur private donations as well as the State and local 
investments to make the necessary improvements at Hinchliffe Stadium. 
The stewardship of the National Park Service will simply provide 
certainty about Hinchliffe's future.
  Mr. Speaker, we are not talking about putting purple ropes around an 
edifice. We want this stadium to be

[[Page 12660]]

functional again. I think, therefore, Hinchliffe Stadium provides a 
golden opportunity for the Park Service to meet its goal of reaching 
out to urban communities, minorities, and immigrant groups.
  This legislation would vastly enhance the significance of the Great 
Falls National Park, which this body voted on a few years ago. Although 
the Great Falls Park's current historic assets focus on Paterson's role 
as the birthplace of American industry, Hinchliffe Stadium shows us the 
human side of blue collar workers who came to Paterson to work in mills 
through waves of immigration and the Great Migration. Their descendants 
are the Patersonians, New Jerseyans, and Americans of today, and new 
immigrants continue to seek the American Dream.
  As it was originally introduced, the legislation establishing the 
Paterson Great Falls National Park included Hinchliffe Stadium within 
the park boundaries. However, the stadium's historic significance was 
found to be in need of further study. That study was completed last 
year, reaching a conclusion that the people of New Jersey have long 
known: Hinchliffe Stadium has played a vital role in our history. As a 
result, Hinchliffe Stadium was designated as a National Historic 
Landmark. The importance of this effort to the people of New Jersey is 
evidenced by the fact that the entire New Jersey delegation has joined 
together as original cosponsors in a bipartisan way.
  We have the support of a broad group of stakeholders, from local 
community organizations to large national advocacy organizations. I 
will enter in the Record letters of support from the National Baseball 
Hall of Fame; the National Trust for Historic Preservation; the 
National Parks Conservation Association; the New Jersey Community 
Development Corporation; the Hamilton Partnership for Paterson; Friends 
of Hinchliffe Stadium; former Paterson mayor and current chair of the 
Great Falls Advisory Commission, Pat Kramer; and the current property 
owner, the Paterson Board of Education.

                                         National Baseball Hall of


                                              Fame and Museum,

                         Cooperstown, New York, November 19, 2013.
     Hon. Bill Pascrell, Jr.,
     Rayburn House Office Building,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Congressman Pascrell: On behalf of the National 
     Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, I am writing to express our 
     support for H.R. 2430, Hinchliffe Stadium Heritage Act of 
     2013. This legislation would expand the boundaries of the 
     Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park to include 
     historic Hinchliffe Stadium in Paterson, New Jersey.
       As you know, Hinchliffe is historically significant as one 
     of the last remaining stadiums in the nation to have hosted 
     Negro League baseball. These games featured future Baseball 
     Hall of Famers such as Paterson's own Larry Doby--the first 
     player break the color barrier in the American League. Sadly, 
     the Stadium has been closed since 1997 and is falling into 
     disrepair.
       With the progress being made in the area through the 
     creation of the Paterson Great Falls National Historical 
     Park, now is our opportunity to bring further attention and 
     resources to Hinchliffe. Future generations of visitors and 
     Patersonians alike deserve the opportunity to enjoy 
     Hinchliffe and learn about the amazing role that the Stadium 
     has played in our history. This legislation is an important 
     step towards making that vision a reality.
       Thank you for your leadership in bringing national 
     attention to Hinchliffe Stadium and its important role in our 
     nation's cultural history. We look forward to assisting you 
     in your efforts.
       My Best,

                                                  Ken Meifert,

                                                   Vice President,
     Sponsorship and Development.
                                  ____

                                                National Trust for


                                        Historic Preservation,

                                      Washington DC, May 31, 2013.
     Re Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park Boundary 
         Expansion

     Hon. Bill Pascrell, Jr.,
     Rayburn House Office Building,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Congressman Pascrell: The National Trust for Historic 
     Preservation enthusiastically supports your legislation to 
     expand the boundaries of the Paterson Great Falls National 
     Historic Park to include Hinchliffe Stadium. Your legislation 
     is an important step toward a more comprehensive celebration 
     of Paterson's past. Interpretive themes presented in 
     industrial heritage, the labor movement, the Great 
     Depression, recreation, and social progress are intertwined 
     by the contributions to Hinchliffe Stadium's legacy in the 
     Great Migration story, American sports, and Negro League 
     Baseball.
       We support the inclusion of 6 acres of land commonly known 
     as Hinchliffe Stadium into the Park. We also support the 
     continued ownership and management of the stadium by the 
     local school district and look forward to its rehabilitation 
     and use for school sports and other community activities. We 
     also support the fact that the bill does not provide for the 
     National Park Service to acquire the property.
       The National Trust has been proud to partner with the City 
     and the school district to preserve Hinchliffe Stadium. Since 
     2009 we have been working to raise national awareness of 
     Hinchliffe Stadium. For example, the stadium was featured in 
     the November/December 2009 issue of Preservation Magazine. In 
     2010, partnering with the 1772 Foundation, we enhanced the 
     capacity of the Friends of Hinchliffe Stadium with board 
     management and fundraising training, and granted $40,000 for 
     the stadium's planning and stabilization. Hinchliffe Stadium 
     was also named to the 2010 list of America's 11-Most 
     Endangered Historic Places, and was included in our inaugural 
     list of National Treasures. The site is one of 32 National 
     Treasures identified by the National Trust as endangered 
     places of national significance, where our on-the-ground 
     success can have positive implications for preservation 
     nationwide. We continue to invest our resources to help 
     secure Hinchliffe Stadium's future and are proud of our 
     recent and successful outreach to the City and school 
     district facilitating support for your legislation.
       Our work at the stadium is an active partnership with the 
     Paterson City Schools, City of Paterson, and Friends of 
     Hinchliffe Stadium. Together, we are beginning the process to 
     stabilize and return Hinchliffe Stadium to use as a fully-
     rehabilitated community asset. For more details about this 
     project, please visit: http://savingplaces.org/treasures/
hinchliffe-stadium. We support additional measures to 
     safeguard the stadium through the National Park Service 
     system. We anticipate that inclusion in the Park will provide 
     Hinchliffe Stadium:
       Strategic support when the National Park is fully-
     functioning and operational.
       An enhanced national profile and increased visibility 
     through marketing and heritage tourism.
       Scholarship and interpretation that showcase the story of 
     Paterson's diverse cultural past, and its connection to 
     broader narratives in American history.
       An expanded network of partners that champion the National 
     Historic Landmark's protection and preservation.
       Increased possibilities for future public and private 
     investments.
       We look forward to continuing our collaborative work with 
     the Paterson City Schools, City of Paterson, Friends of 
     Hinchliffe Stadium, National Park Service, and your office so 
     that together we may increase opportunities to preserve and 
     interpret the role of Paterson's significant historic 
     resources, including African American baseball players, 
     business owners, and the development of Negro League 
     Baseball.
           With warmest regards,
     Thomas J. Cassidy, Jr.,
       Vice President, Government Relations and Policy.
     Brent Leggs,
       Field Officer, Project Manager.
                                  ____

                                                    National Parks


                                     Conservation Association,

                                      New York, NY, March 3, 2014.
     Re Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park Boundary 
         Expansion

     Hon. Bill Pascrell, Jr.,
     Rayburn House Office Building,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Congressman Pascrell:  The National Parks Conservation 
     Association supports H.R. 2430, which would expand the 
     boundaries of the Paterson Great Falls National Historic Park 
     to include Hinchliffe Stadium. Paterson Great Falls National 
     Historical Park is home to one of the country's most 
     spectacular waterfalls--a 260-foot-wide, 77-foot drop that 
     rushes through the Passaic River Gorge and is recognized as a 
     National Natural Landmark. These astounding falls made 
     Paterson the ideal site for one of America's earliest 
     industrial parks--a thriving manufacturing district developed 
     in part by founding father Alexander Hamilton and run for 
     decades on the area's abundant hydropower.
       NPCA supports the inclusion of 6 additional acres of land 
     to the park's jurisdiction, which encompasses Hinchliffe 
     Stadium. This historic 10,000 seat municipal stadium, built 
     in 1931 above the Great Falls is an important historic 
     structure who's history would fit nicely with the 
     interpretive skills of our national park rangers. During the 
     1930's it was rare for a Negro League team to have a home 
     ballpark, but at Hinchliffe, the New York Black Yankees and 
     the New York Cubans were permanent residents. The cultural 
     significance of this National Landmark should be preserved 
     and interpreted.
       NPCA supports the continued ownership and management of the 
     stadium by the local

[[Page 12661]]

     school district and understands a local effort will be 
     undertaken to restore the stadium for school sports and 
     community activities.
           Sincerely,
     Oliver Spellman,
       Senior Manager, Northeast Regional Office, National Parks 
     Conservation Association.
                                  ____

                                              New Jersey Community


                                      Development Corporation,

                                       Patterson, NJ, May 3, 2013.
     Re Hinchliffe Stadium Heritage Act of 2013

       Dear Congressman Pascrell: On behalf of New Jersey 
     Community Development Corporation (NJCDC), I am writing to 
     express our support for the Hinchliffe Stadium Heritage Act 
     of 2013. This legislation would expand the boundaries of the 
     newly created Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park 
     to include historic Hinchliffe Stadium within the park.
       Hinchliffe is historically significant as one of the last 
     remaining stadiums in the nation to have hosted Negro League 
     baseball. These games featured future baseball hall of famers 
     such as Paterson's own Larry Doby--the first player break the 
     color barrier in the American League, sadly, the Stadium has 
     been closed since 1997 and is falling into disrepair.
       NJCDC is committed to the revitalization of the area we 
     call the Great Falls Promise Neighborhood, within which 
     Hinchliffe is located. With the progress being made through 
     the creation of the new national park, this is the most 
     appropriate time to include Hinchliffe Stadium in the overall 
     efforts to remake this historic area. Future generations of 
     visitors and Patersonians alike deserve the opportunity to 
     enjoy Hinchliffe and learn about the amazing role that the 
     Stadium has played in our history. This legislation is an 
     important step towards making that vision a reality.
       Thank you for your leadership in bringing national 
     attention to the fascinating history of Hinchliffe Stadium 
     and the City of Paterson. We look forward to assisting you in 
     your efforts.
           Sincerely,
                                               Robert F. Guarasci,
     Chief Executive Officer.
                                  ____

                                              Hamilton Partnership


                                                 for Paterson,

                                       Paterson, NJ, May 31, 2013.
     Hon. Bill Pascrell, Jr.,
     House of Representatives,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Congressman Pascrell: I am proud to express the 
     Hamilton Partnership for Paterson's support for a boundary 
     amendment to the Paterson Great Falls National Historical 
     Park to include Hinchliffe Stadium. The Department of the 
     Interior recently designated Hinchliffe Stadium a National 
     Historic Landmark--the culmination of a major study Congress 
     authorized in the Paterson Great Falls National Historical 
     Park Act.
       Hinchliffe is a former Negro Leagues baseball venue of 
     enormous national importance that regularly drew racially-
     diverse crowds that included Paterson mill workers. Expanding 
     the boundary of the Paterson Great Falls National Historical 
     Park to include Hinchliffe Stadium would enhance the National 
     Park's interpretation of social movements and Paterson's 
     immigrant past by connecting the National Park to the Great 
     Migration and African American history.
       Adding Hinchliffe Stadium would provide critical context to 
     other aspects of the National Park by showing the broader 
     experiences of workers and the evolution of a manufacturing 
     city. Workers in Paterson mills played at Hinchliffe Stadium 
     on racially-integrated teams such as the Doherty Silk Sox, 
     the Wright Aeros, and the Uncle Sams. Without Hinchliffe, the 
     Paterson National Park cannot capture the full story of 
     diverse movements of people and cultures to Paterson.
       The professionalism, integrity, and permanence of the 
     National Park Service are essential for securing private 
     financial support for Hinchcliffe's renovation. Expanding the 
     Paterson National Park boundary to include Hinchliffe will 
     also increase the likelihood of attracting non-Park Service 
     federal and state funding for such purposes as environmental 
     remediation, parking, and transportation improvements.
       Ownership of Hinchliffe Stadium need not change. Hinchliffe 
     could remain owned by the Paterson Board of Education and, 
     after renovation, could be used for school sports and other 
     activities much as it was for decades.
       We very much appreciate your vigorous efforts and strong 
     leadership in honoring this important part of the history of 
     Paterson and our nation.
           With all good wishes,
     Leonard A. Zax.
                                  ____



                                Friends of Hinchliffe Stadium,

                                        Paterson NJ, June 4, 2013.
     Hon. Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr.
     Rayburn House Office Building,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Congressman Pascrell: Though it has taken a decade to 
     give official and unequivocal recognition to Paterson's 
     Hinchliffe Stadium as a National Historic Landmark, our 
     research had always shown Hinchliffe Stadium to be nationally 
     significant. This honor reinforces the unwavering commitment 
     of the Friends of Hinchliffe Stadium to help save such a 
     remarkable monument to the courage, dignity and perseverance 
     of African-Americans in the quest for civil rights.
       We are confident that Hinchliffe Stadium's inclusion in the 
     Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park, through the 
     ``Hinchliffe Stadium Heritage Act,'' can play a role in 
     realizing the longer-term objective of seeing the stadium 
     preserved and restored to active use by and for the local and 
     regional communities, and as a future educational resource 
     for everyone who cares about freedom.
       We had expressed our prior support of this inclusion as 
     conditional on its acceptance by our project partners: the 
     Paterson Public Schools (deed holders) and the City of 
     Paterson (management partners through a Shared Services 
     Agreement). Since it has now met with their approvals, we are 
     proud to add our voices in support of this critical 
     legislation.
       If Hinchliffe Stadium is included in the Great Falls 
     National Historical Park, it will be another measure in 
     correcting the unfortunate National Register of Historic 
     Places error, which incorrectly labeled Hinchliffe Stadium as 
     only ``locally significant.''
       Please keep us apprised of progress, and of any further 
     service we can be to this effort.
           Sincerely,
                                   Brian LoPinto and Flavia Alaya,
     Friends of Hinchliffe Stadium.
                                  ____

     The Hon. Bill Pascrell, Jr.,
     Rayburn Building,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Congressman Pascrell: I write today to express my 
     enthusiastic support for the Hinchliffe Stadium Heritage Act 
     of 2013, which would expand the boundaries of the Paterson 
     Great Falls National Historical Park to include Hinchliffe 
     Stadium.
       As you know, Hinchliffe Stadium was completed in 1932 and 
     named for John Hinchliffe, the Paterson mayor who fought to 
     bring the stadium into being. Hinchliffe is one of just a 
     handful of stadiums remaining in the United States to have 
     played host to Negro League baseball, with games featuring 
     future hall of famers such as local hero Larry Doby. Doby 
     bravely cemented his name in history as the first player to 
     break the American League color barrier.
       Unfortunately, the Hinchliffe has sat abandoned since its 
     closure in 1997 and has begun to deteriorate. We need to 
     bring awareness to this vital landmark before it is too late 
     to save Hinchliffe. With the establishment of Paterson Great 
     Falls National Historical Park in Paterson's historic 
     district, we have an opportunity to elevate Hinchliffe's 
     status. Patersonians and other visitors to the National Park 
     deserve the chance to enjoy Hinchliffe and learn about the 
     incredible role that it has played in our nation's history.
       As a fellow former mayor of Paterson, I would like to thank 
     you for your work in bringing long overdue attention to our 
     hometown's fascinating history. Adding the Stadium to the 
     National Park would reaffirm Hinchliffe's vital role in that 
     history. I look forward to working with you to make the 
     revitalization of Hinchliffe Stadium a reality.
           Sincerely,
     Lawrence ``Pat'' Kramer.
                                  ____



                                      Paterson Public Schools,

                                       Paterson, NJ, May 30, 2013.
     Hon. William J. Pascrell, Jr.,
     Congressman, U.S. Representative,
     Patterson, NJ.
       Dear Congressman Pascrell: The Board of Education received 
     your letter dated April 23, 2013, requesting the Board's 
     support of legislation to expand the boundaries of the 
     Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park to include 
     Hinchliffe Stadium.
       At a special meeting held on May 15, 2013, the Board 
     unanimously adopted the attached resolution expressing its 
     support of your efforts to include Hinchliffe Stadium within 
     the boundaries of the Paterson Great Falls National 
     Historical Park. As indicated in your letter, this support is 
     with the understanding that the Board would not in any way 
     relinquish control of the stadium property.
       The Board looks forward to working with you in this effort.
           Regards,
                                            Christopher C. Irving,
                           President, Paterson Board of Education.
       Attachment.
                                  ____



              PATERSON PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT ACTION FORM

       1. All Board Resolutions must clearly state how that 
     program/initiative relates to or is specifically connected to 
     the Priorities and Goals contained in the Strategic Plan.
       2. This Action Form must be in the State District 
     Superintendent's office according to cutoff date before the 
     meeting of the Board of Education.


                       Recommendation/Resolution

       Whereas; Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr., member of the 
     House of Representatives representing the City of Paterson, 
     has informed the Board of Education, Paterson Public Schools 
     District of his legislative efforts to expand the boundaries 
     of Paterson Great

[[Page 12662]]

     Falls National Historical Park to include Hinchliffe Stadium. 
     This proposed expansion is based upon the Stadium's 
     significant place in the history of the City as well as its 
     place in the struggle for economic opportunity and racial 
     quality by African Americans; and
       Whereas; Since Hinchliffe Stadium is owned by Paterson 
     Public Schools District, Congressman Pascrell has asked for 
     the support of the Board of Education in his efforts to 
     mobilize the resources of the National Park Services and 
     other stakeholders in developing plans for the National 
     Historical Park, including Hinchliffe Stadium and
       Whereas; Congressman Pascrell has committed to the Paterson 
     Public Schools District that the proposed legislation would 
     not in any way (1) require Paterson Public Schools District 
     to relinquish control of the Stadium; (2) require the 
     National Park Services to acquire the Stadium; or (3) permit 
     the National Park Service to acquire or manage the Stadium 
     without the express support of the Paterson Public Schools 
     District.
       Therefore be it Resolved, that the Paterson Public Schools 
     District Board of Education does hereby express its support 
     for the efforts of Congressman Pascrell to include Hinchliffe 
     Stadium within the boundaries of the Paterson Great Falls 
     National Historical Park.


                           APPROVALS REQUIRED

       1. Submitted by Dr. Donnie W. Evans, State District 
     Superintendent, May 15, 2013.
       2. Approval by Divisional Administrator (State District 
     Superintendent, Deputy, Assistant Superintendent or Business 
     Administrator), Date.
       3. Account No:
       Certification of Funds--Business Administrator, (Signature) 
     Date.
       Funds Available--Funds Not Available--Funds Not Needed--
     Non-Budget Item.
       4. Verification by Legal Department, if required: Date.
       5. Approval--State District Superintendent: Donnie W. 
     Evans, 5/28/13.
       6. Board Adoption Date: May 15, 2013, Resolution Number 6.

  Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, our Nation has recognized the significance 
of Hinchliffe Stadium's contributions to our country and our history. 
This is a vital part of the history of our State and our Nation. Now is 
the time to ensure that the story has a place in our National Park 
System for generations to come. Therefore, I would urge my colleagues 
to join in supporting this legislation.
  Mr. DAINES. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, again, this has the unanimous support of the 
New Jersey congressional delegation. This is of national historic 
importance, and I urge support of this legislation to expand the 
boundary of this national historic site.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. DAINES. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2430, 
the ``Hinchliffe Stadium Heritage Act of 2013.''
  I am proud to be a co-sponsor of this legislation, which makes a long 
overdue adjustment of the boundaries of Paterson Great Falls National 
Historic Park to include the historic Hinchliffe Stadium.
  Hinchliffe Stadium, located in Paterson, New Jersey, was the home 
stadium of the ``New York Black Yankees'' and the ``New York Cubans'' 
of the old Negro Baseball League.
  In the 1930s and 1940s, baseball, like most American institutions, 
was segregated by race prohibiting great players like Josh Gibson, 
Oscar Charleston and Judy Johnson from displaying their extraordinary 
talents in the major leagues.
  These games featured future Baseball Hall of Famers such as Larry 
Doby--the first player to break the color barrier in the American 
League, as well as Josh Gibson, Oscar Charleston and Judy Johnson.
  In 1942, future Hall of Famer Larry Doby played at Hinchliffe Stadium 
as a member of the visiting Newark Eagles. Larry Doby would go on to 
become the first African American to play in the American League, 
breaking the color line in 1948 as a member of the Cleveland Indians.
  In addition to being the venue for Negro League baseball games, 
Hinchliffe Stadium also hosted boxing matches, auto races, professional 
football games, and other notable events.
  In 1963, Paterson Public Schools assumed ownership of Hinchliffe 
Stadium and utilized it for high school sports.
  Over time, however, the maintenance funds diminished and the stadium 
fell into disrepair, ultimately closing in 1997.
  Hinchliffe Stadium was recently listed as one of the country's most 
endangered historic places by the National Trust for Historic 
Preservation and would benefit greatly, as would the nation, were it 
included in the National Park System.
  H.R. 2430 will readjust the boundaries of the Paterson Great Falls 
National Historical Park, which overlooks the Paterson Great Falls, to 
include the adjacently located Hinchliffe Stadium.
  By expanding the Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park to 
include Hinchliffe Stadium, our country will retain one of the last 
remaining landmarks of an important chapter in the nation's history.
  I urge all of my colleagues to join me in supporting passage of H.R. 
2430.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Bentivolio). The question is on the 
motion offered by the gentleman from Montana (Mr. Daines) that the 
House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 2430, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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