Julius Rosenwald and the Rosenwald Schools Act of 2020
Floor Speech
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Mr. GALLEGO. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3250) to require the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resource study of the sites associated with the life and legacy of the noted American philanthropist and business executive Julius Rosenwald, with a special focus on the Rosenwald Schools, and for other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 3250
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 ``Julius Rosenwald and the Rosenwald Schools Act of 2020''. SEC. 2. RESOURCE STUDY OF JULIUS ROSENWALD AND ROSENWALD SCHOOLS.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Rosenwald school.--The term ``Rosenwald School'' means any of the 5,357 schools and related buildings constructed in 15 southern States during the period of 1912 through 1932 by the philanthropy of Julius Rosenwald.
(2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of the Interior.
(3) Study area.--The term ``study area'' means the sites associated with the life and legacy of Julius Rosenwald.
(b) Special Resource Study.--
(1) Study.--The Secretary shall conduct a special resource study of the study area, with a special emphasis on the following Rosenwald Schools and other sites associated with the life and legacy of Julius Rosenwald:
(A) Sears Administration Building at Homan Square in Chicago, Illinois.
(B) Rosenwald Court Apartments in Chicago, Illinois.
(C) Museum of Science & Industry in Chicago, Illinois.
(D) Rosenwald House (formerly the Lyon Home) at the Lincoln Home National Historic Site in Springfield, Illinois.
(E) Cairo Rosenwald School, a one-teacher school in Sumner County, Tennessee.
(F) Shady Grove School, a one-teacher school in Louisa County, Virginia.
(G) Noble Hill School, a two-teacher school in Bartow County, Georgia.
(H) Ridgeley School, a two-teacher school in Prince Georges County, Maryland.
(I) Bay Springs School, a two-teacher school in Forest County, Mississippi.
(J) Russell School, a two-teacher school in Durham County, North Carolina.
(K) Shiloh Rosenwald School, a three-teacher school in Macon County, Alabama.
(L) San Domingo School, a four-teacher school in Wicomico County, Maryland.
(M) Elmore County Training School, a seven-teacher school in Elmore County, Alabama.
(N) Dunbar Junior High, Senior High and Junior College in Little Rock, Arkansas.
(2) Contents.--In conducting the study under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall--
(A) evaluate the national significance of the study area;
(B) determine the suitability and feasibility of designating the study area as a unit of the National Park System, including an interpretive center in or near Chicago, Illinois;
(C) consider other alternatives for preservation, protection, and interpretation of the study area by the Federal Government, State or local government entities, or private and nonprofit organizations;
(D) consult with interested Federal agencies, State or local governmental entities, private and nonprofit organizations, or any other interested individuals; and
(E) identify cost estimates for any Federal acquisition, development, interpretation, operation, and maintenance associated with the alternatives.
(c) Applicable Law.--The study under paragraph (1) shall be conducted in accordance with section 100507 of title 54, United States Code.
(d) Results.--Not later than 3 years after the date on which funds are first made available for the study under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate a report describing--
(1) the results of the study; and
(2) any conclusions and recommendations of the Secretary relating to the study.
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Mr. GALLEGO. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 3250, the Julius Rosenwald and Rosenwald Schools Act, introduced by Representative Danny Davis.
This bill directs the National Park Service to conduct a study of sites associated with the life and legacy of Julius Rosenwald.
Julius Rosenwald was an American businessman and philanthropist, who is well known for his role as part owner and president of Sears, Roebuck and Company.
In the early 20th century, Rosenwald used his wealth to fund Progressive Era projects and causes, particularly those with a focus on enhancing the lives of African Americans.
Rosenwald was instrumental in the construction of 25 YMCAs across the country, including Chicago's historic Wabash Avenue YMCA, which provided African Americans with housing and job training during the Great Migration.
Through his efforts with the YMCA, Rosenwald developed a relationship with Booker T. Washington and was invited to serve on the board of directors of the Tuskegee Institute.
At Tuskegee, Rosenwald funded a pilot program that helped build six schools for African-American children in rural Alabama. This partnership ultimately sparked the creation of the Rosenwald Fund, which constructed more than 5,300 Rosenwald Schools and related buildings across the South.
By 1928, one in every five rural schools in the South was a Rosenwald School, providing education to one-third of all African-American children in the South through the 1940s.
Many Americans are unaware of the tremendous contributions that Julius Rosenwald and the Rosenwald Schools made to our country. I would like to thank Representative Davis for this effort to elevate this incredible part of our Nation's history.
Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.
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Mr. GALLEGO. Madam Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I yield back the balance of my time.
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Mr. GALLEGO. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
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