Robert Emmet Park Act of 2016

Floor Speech

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Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, Robert Emmet was an Irishman who was inspired by our hard-fought independence in this country, and he wanted the same for his native land. I think this bill is a wonderful thing for Ireland and a wonderful thing for Irish Americans, including for my colleague, Mr. Crowley, a great, proud Irish American.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4564 designates a small triangle of land in Washington, DC as the Robert Emmet Park. The parcel is home to a statue of Robert Emmet, a seminary figure in Ireland's quest for independence. The bill also authorizes the National Park Service, which managed the area, to add interpretive displays and signage to the area.

Emmet admired the independence we achieved in this country, and only wanted the same freedom and liberty for his compatriots. These powerful sentiments are a charge to all of us in this Chamber and throughout the country: that we put the good of our fellow countrymen before our individual gains and that we work together to preserve this great Nation.

By designating this small plot of land and the accompanying statue as Robert Emmet Park, this stands as a constant reminder of the call to liberty and freedom that binds our Nation together. I am glad to support this bill and thank the sponsor, Representative Joe Crowley of New York, the vice-chair of the Democratic Caucus.

I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Crowley).

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Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I have no additional speakers, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I would just like to thank Mr. Crowley for offering this important issue. It is important to Irish heritage, and it certainly deserves the recognition as a park right here in our local area of Washington, D.C.

I yield back the balance of my time.

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