Quindaro Townsite National Commemorative Site Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. ESTES of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5613, to designate the Quindaro Townsite in Kansas City, Kansas, a national commemorative site.

Quindaro was founded in 1857 to provide a safe haven for antislavery activists moving into Kansas during the struggle to help make the territory a free State. Located on the banks of the Missouri River, the site quickly became a vital port and a stop on the Underground Railroad. Although the town dwindled after Kansas became a State, Quindaro's short but rich history is an important reminder of Kansas' role in our Nation's history.

Currently, the site sits on the National Register of Historic Places. However, designating Quindaro a national commemorative site would qualify the downtown for additional Federal assistance as Quindaro pursues the ultimate goal of being a national historic landmark.

H.R. 5613 is a great step forward in that process and will help preserve an important piece of Kansas and American history. I am proud to cosponsor this bill, and I thank Representative Kevin Yoder for bringing it forward. I urge my colleagues to support it.

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