Saratoga National Battlefield Park

Floor Speech

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Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 8931) to redesignate Saratoga National Historical Park as Saratoga National Battlefield Park.

The Clerk read the title of the bill.

The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 8931

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SARATOGA NATIONAL BATTLEFIELD PARK.

(a) Redesignation.--Saratoga National Historical Park shall hereafter be known and designated as ``Saratoga National Battlefield Park''.

(b) References.--Any reference in a law, map, regulation, document, paper, or other record of the United States to Saratoga National Historical Park shall be deemed to be a reference to Saratoga National Battlefield Park.

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Mr. WESTERMAN. 8931, the bill now under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of Representative Stefanik's bill, H.R. 8931, which will redesignate the Saratoga National Historic Park as the Saratoga National Battlefield Park.

On September 19, 1777, General Horatio Gates led the Continental Army troops against the British Empire in present-day Saratoga County, New York. In the ensuing Battles of Saratoga, American colonists would rout a British invasion force and create a turning point in the Revolutionary War.

Today, the site of these battles is conserved in the 3,400-acre Saratoga National Historical Park, a unit of the National Park System.

There, visitors can explore trails and tour routes to experience the historic battlefield, which includes landmarks, fortifications, and other important structures. The park also hosts artifacts, exhibits, historical reenactments, and guided tours.

While the current site was originally named ``Saratoga Battlefield Park'' by New York State, the ``battlefield'' nomenclature was dropped in 1938 when the area became part of the National Park System.

With the battles' upcoming 250th anniversary, however, residents of Saratoga County and New York State have called for renaming the park to clarify its place in the heroic struggle of American independence.

Accordingly, Representative Stefanik's legislation would redesignate the site as the ``Saratoga National Battlefield Park,'' thus identifying its importance as a historical battlefield and emphasizing the sacrifices of soldiers who fought there.

I thank Representative Stefanik for her leadership on this issue and for working tirelessly this Congress on behalf of her constituents. We will all miss Representative Stefanik next Congress, but in the meantime, I am pleased to be working with her in advancing this important legislation through the House.

Mr. Speaker, I support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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Mr. WESTERMAN. Stefanik), the lead sponsor of the bill.

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Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, this is a simple, bipartisan bill that will distinguish an important site for its pivotal role in the American fight for independence ahead of our Nation's 250th anniversary.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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