Jackie Robinson Ballpark National Commemorative Site Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 8012) to establish the Jackie Robinson Ballpark National Commemorative Site in the State of Florida, and for other purposes, as amended.

The Clerk read the title of the bill.

The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 8012

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 ``Jackie Robinson Ballpark National Commemorative Site Act''. SEC. 2. JACKIE ROBINSON BALLPARK NATIONAL COMMEMORATIVE SITE.

(a) Definitions.--In this Act:

(1) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of the Interior.

(2) Site.--The term ``Site'' means the Jackie Robinson Ballpark National Commemorative Site designated by subsection (b).

(3) State.--The term ``State'' means the State of Florida.

(b) Designation.--Jackie Robinson Ballpark in Daytona Beach, Florida, is hereby designated as the Jackie Robinson Ballpark National Commemorative Site.

(c) African American Civil Rights Network.--The Site shall be part of the African American Civil Rights Network established under the African American Civil Rights Network Act of 2017 (Public Law 115-104).

(d) Administration.--

(1) Cooperative agreements.--The Secretary may enter into cooperative agreements with appropriate public or private entities for interpretative and educational purposes related to the Site.

(2) Effect of designation.--The Site shall not be a unit of the National Park System.

(3) Limitations.--Nothing in this Act--

(A) authorizes the Secretary to interfere with the rights of any person with respect to private property or any local zoning ordinance or land use plan of the State or any political subdivision thereof;

(B) affects the administration of the Site by any owner of the Site; or

(C) authorizes the Secretary to acquire land or interests in land through condemnation or otherwise.

(e) Special Resource Study.--

(1) In general.--The Secretary shall conduct a special resource study of the Site to evaluate the national significance of the Site and determine the suitability and feasibility of designating the Site as a unit of the National Park System.

(2) Alternatives.--The Secretary shall consider alternatives for preservation, protection, and interpretation of the Site by Federal, State, or local government entities, or private and nonprofit organizations.

(3) Conduct of study.--The study shall be conducted in accordance with section 100507 of title 54, United States Code.

(4) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the date on which funds are made available to conduct the study, the Secretary shall submit a report to Congress that describes the results of the study and any recommendations of the Secretary with respect to the Site.

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Mr. WESTERMAN. 8012, the bill now under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of Representative Waltz' bill, the Jackie Robinson Ballpark National Commemorative Site Act.

By designating the Jackie Robinson Ballpark as a National Commemorative Site, this bill recognizes the ballpark's important role in advancing civil rights and ending racially segregated sports in 20th century America.

In 1946, Jackie Robinson played in the first racially integrated spring training game at what is now named the Jackie Robinson Ballpark in Daytona Beach, Florida.

At the time, Jim Crow laws prevented integrated baseball throughout the South. A year later, Robinson would make his major league debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers where he broke the MLB's color barrier and became the first African American to play in a modern-era MLB game.

Robinson would eventually finish his career as a six-time all-star while amassing over 1500 hits and maintaining a .311 batting average. Throughout his career, Robinson demonstrated courage and excellence on and off the field, opening the door of opportunity for generations of athletes who succeeded him.

By designating the ballpark a National Commemorative Site, this bill recognizes the facility's historic role in advancing civil rights without adding to the Federal estate or using taxpayer dollars.

Mr. Speaker, I support the bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.
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Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I, again, commend Representative Waltz for his efforts in leading this important bill. This is a straightforward way of recognizing a historic venue that played a critical role in the fight for equality for all Americans.

Mr. Speaker, I urge the adoption of the legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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