[117th Congress Public Law 206]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[[Page 136 STAT. 2236]]
Public Law 117-206
117th Congress
An Act
To establish the Blackwell School National Historic Site in Marfa,
Texas, and for other purposes. <<NOTE: Oct. 17, 2022 - [S. 2490]>>
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled, <<NOTE: Blackwell School
National Historic Site Act. 54 USC 320101 note.>>
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Blackwell School National Historic
Site Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds that--
(1) the Blackwell School, located at 501 South Abbott
Street, in Marfa, Presidio County, Texas, is--
(A) associated with the period of racial segregation
in Marfa public schools; and
(B) the only extant property directly associated
with Hispanic education in Marfa since the other
buildings were torn down after the Blackwell School
closed in 1965;
(2) the Blackwell School is a tangible reminder of the
period during which the doctrine of ``separate but equal''
dominated education and social systems;
(3) despite being categorized as ``white'' by Texas law,
Mexican Americans were regularly excluded from commingling with
Anglo individuals at barbershops, restaurants, funeral homes,
theaters, churches, and schools;
(4) the spectrum of experiences of students and teachers at
the Blackwell School are an important record of life in a
segregated school in the context of the history of Texas and the
United States;
(5) Mexican and Mexican American culture and history in
Marfa is tied to the Blackwell School, which for more than 50
years served as a leading feature of the Hispanic community,
illustrating the challenge of maintaining cultural identity in a
dominant Anglo society;
(6) Hispanic influences continue to be seen in social and
religious organizations, business and government institutions,
and shared experiences of language, food, and music in Marfa,
Texas;
(7) the historic Blackwell School building is a physical
record of--
(A) the longevity and beauty of the distinctive
design and craftsmanship informed by traditional
techniques and materials; and
[[Page 136 STAT. 2237]]
(B) the transition from the purely vernacular to the
period of materials, design, and workmanship made
available after the arrival of the railroad;
(8) the original historic school building and grounds on
which the Blackwell School building stands provide an authentic
setting to commemorate and interpret the history of the
Blackwell School;
(9) the Blackwell School is closely associated with the
broad patterns of local, State, and national history in the area
of school segregation; and
(10) Mexicans and other members of the Latin American
diaspora have placed a high value on education as a means of
economic, social, and political advancement, but Hispanics and
Latinos have not always had equitable opportunities and access
to quality educational facilities in the United States.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Map.--The term ``map'' means the map entitled
``Blackwell School National Historic Site Proposed Boundary'',
numbered 593/178387, and dated February 2022.
(2) National historic site.--The term ``National Historic
Site'' means the Blackwell School National Historic Site
established by section 4(a)(1).
(3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of the Interior.
SEC. 4. ESTABLISHMENT OF THE BLACKWELL SCHOOL NATIONAL HISTORIC
SITE.
(a) Establishment.--
(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), there is
established the Blackwell School National Historic Site in the
State of Texas as a unit of the National Park System to
preserve, protect, and interpret for the benefit of present and
future generations the Blackwell School, including--
(A) the role of the Blackwell School as an academic
and cultural cornerstone in Marfa, Texas; and
(B) the function of the Blackwell School within a
segregated system of education in Texas and the United
States from the period of 1885 through 1965.
(2) Determination by secretary.--The National Historic Site
shall not be established until the date on which the Secretary
determines that--
(A) <<NOTE: Contracts.>> a written agreement has
been entered into by the Secretary with the Marfa
Unified School District providing that the Blackwell
School shall be donated to the United States or co-
managed with the Secretary for inclusion in a national
historic site to be managed consistently with the
purposes of a national historic site; and
(B) a sufficient quantity of land or an interest in
land within the boundaries of the National Historic Site
has been acquired to constitute a manageable unit.
(b) Map.--
(1) Boundaries.--The boundaries of the National Historic
Site shall be the boundaries generally depicted on the map.
(2) Availability of map.--The map shall be on file and
available for public inspection in the appropriate offices of
the National Park Service.
[[Page 136 STAT. 2238]]
(c) Acquisition of Authority.--The Secretary may only acquire any
land or interest in land located within the boundary of the National
Historic Site by--
(1) donation;
(2) purchase with donated funds; or
(3) exchange.
(d) Administration.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall administer the National
Historic Site in accordance with--
(A) this Act; and
(B) the laws generally applicable to units of the
National Park System.
(2) Management plan.--
(A) <<NOTE: Deadline.>> In general.--Not later than
3 years after the date on which funds are first made
available to the Secretary to prepare a general
management plan for the National Historic Site, the
Secretary shall prepare a general management plan for
the National Historic Site in accordance with section
100502 of title 54, United States Code.
(B) Submission.--On completion of the general
management plan under subparagraph (A), 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 the general
management plan prepared under that subparagraph.
(e) <<NOTE: Contracts.>> Cooperative Agreements.--The Secretary
shall enter into cooperative agreements with the Blackwell School
Alliance and other local, regional, State, academic, and nonprofit
partners for interpretive and educational programming, technical
assistance, and rehabilitation relating to the National Historic Site.
(f) Written Consent of Owner.--No private property or non-Federal
public property shall be included within the boundaries of the National
Historic Site or managed as part of the National Historic Site without
the written consent of the owner of the property.
Approved October 17, 2022.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--S. 2490 (H.R. 4706):
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HOUSE REPORTS: No. 117-198 (Comm. on Natural Resources) accompanying
H.R. 4706.
SENATE REPORTS: No. 117-92 (Comm. on Energy and Natural Resources).
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 168 (2022):
May 19, considered and passed Senate.
Sept. 19, 20, considered and passed House.
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