Position on H.R. 820, H.R. 920, H.R. 2497, and H.R. 2626

H.R. 820 - New Philadelphia National Historical Park Act: NPCA supports this legislation, which would create the proposed New Philadelphia National Historical Park. It is the first known town in the U.S. planned and legally registered by an African-American and its significance is well-documented by the National Park Service. No original buildings or structures are visible above ground, but the site has excellent archaeological integrity. Its historical and archaeological significance was recognized in 2005 by inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places and in 2009 by its designation as a National Historic Landmark.

H.R. 920 – Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site Expansion Act: This legislation creates four National Park Service affiliated areas in South Carolina, Virginia, Delaware, and the District of Columbia that are related to the story of Brown v. Board of Education in Topeka, Kansas. These locations are associated with the three court cases filed in Brown v. Board and their significance has been well-documented. NPCA is highly supportive of the bill language that calls for respectful and thoughtful collaboration with existing local entities by NPS.

H.R. 2497 –To establish the Amache National Historic Site in the State of Colorado as a unit of the National Park System, and for other purposes: NPCA supports this legislation, which would establish the Amache National Historic Site. This bill presents the unique opportunity to share and learn from a time in American history that has largely been forgotten: the unconstitutional imprisonment of 7,567 Japanese Americans at the Granada Relocation Center, or Amache, in Southeast Colorado. The designation of this site is the first step toward a telling a more inclusive history of America and honoring the heroic survivors and descendants within the Amache community. The longstanding and heroic efforts of Amache survivors, descendants, and other community leaders to share this story are the reason why it remains alive today. While the story of Amache is first and foremost the story of its survivors and descendants to tell, it is also the story of the Town of Granada’s courage to keep this flame alive. Considering the current scourge of anti-Asian American Pacific Islander hate crimes, our country needs places like this more than ever to ensure that these lessons of the past are learned and remembered.

H.R. 2626 - To redesignate the Pullman National Monument in the State of Illinois as the Pullman National Historical Park, and for other purposes: NPCA supports this legislation to redesignate Pullman National Monument as Pullman National Historical Park. This bill closely mirrors the legislation introduced in 2014 to establish Pullman as a national historical park and to provide the National Park Service with the ability to enter cooperative agreements, provide technical assistance, and acquire land from willing sellers. The provisions in this bill are critical for the National Park Service to work with its many partners and improve this historic treasure located in a disinvested area of Chicago’s south side.