Lummis Praises Committee Passage of Heart Mountain Bill

Statement

Today, the House Committee on Natural Resources passed H.R. 3989, the Heart Mountain Relocation Center Study Act. U.S. Representative Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), the sponsor of H.R. 3989, released the following statement after committee passage of the bill:

"The history of Japanese-American intern camps is a dark spot on our country's past. Sharing this history with future generations is a mission that has been embraced by the people of northwest Wyoming's communities. Passage of this legislation today was born entirely from grassroots advocacy for preserving these historic landmarks, and ensuring future generations learn the important lessons of this era.

"The significant effort of private citizens in both time and resources to memorialize and educate the public about what took place at Heart Mountain is noteworthy. I'm pleased the House Natural Resources Committee agrees. Today's committee approval is an important step that will move this bill forward."

Background:

H.R. 3989 moves forward congressional authorization of a Special Resource Study (SRS) of Wyoming's Heart Mountain Relocation Center in Park County. The SRS examines long term management alternatives, including the possibility of Heart Mountain's designation as a National Park Service Historical Site. It also engages the public to include their vision for the future preservation and success of the site.

The area under question encompasses 123 acres, 73 of which are already owned by the federal government. The remaining 50 acres are owned by the Heart Mountain Wyoming Foundation.

The Heart Mountain Relocation Center, which operated from August 12, 1942 until November 10, 1945, held nearly 11,000 Japanese-American internees. While residing at the Relocation Center, internees set up systems for democratic governance, health care, education, farming, and community services. More than 750 internees served in the U.S. armed forces during World War II; 85 internees were imprisoned for resisting the draft.

Heart Mountain is one of 10 relocation camps. Although each camp has distinctive attributes, Heart Mountain has retained several original structures unique to its time.

Currently there are only two former internment camps that have been recognized as National Historic Sites by the NPS. They are Idaho's Minidoka National Historic Site and California's Manazar National Historic Site.

Source