Statements on Introduced Bills and Joint Resolutions

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. DURBIN. I rise today to introduce the Pullman National Historical Park Act. This legislation continues our commitment to preserve the unique stories and places that have a special place in our Nation's history.

The Pullman neighborhood has been the site of some major events in U.S. history. The area was first developed in 1880 by George Pullman as the first American industrial town--a mixed-income community where the families of company executives and factory workers could work and live together.

During the economic depression of the 1890s, the Pullman site served as the catalyst for the first industry-wide strike in the United States, which helped lead to the establishment of Labor Day as a national holiday.

The Pullman community then went on to play an important role in African-American and early Civil Rights history through the legacy of the Pullman porters, as well as the development of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters--the first Black labor union.

So it is fitting that the area has been recognized as a historical landmark by the city of Chicago, the State of Illinois, and nationally. But more can be done to showcase Pullman's unique place in America's history.

A study released last year by the National Park Service stated that the Pullman Historical District had undisputed national significance and would make an excellent candidate for addition to the national park system. I agree. I am joined by my colleagues Senator Mark Kirk and Congresswoman Robin Kelly today to introduce a bill to designate the Pullman district as a national park. If created, the Pullman National Historical Park would be an important addition to the current national parks system because it would poignantly highlight stories from communities that are rarely represented in other national parks.

The park's urban location on Chicago's South Side would make it easily accessible to millions of people by public transportation--again, setting Pullman apart from other national parks. The Pullman National Historical Park would also provide an opportunity for tourism and facilitate job creation in the Southeast side of Chicago. More than 3,000 Chicagoans and 110 organizations and businesses--including the AFL-CIO and Chicago Federation of Labor--have signed statements of support calling for its creation.

Studies show that for every dollar that is invested in national park operations, $10 of economic activity is generated locally. Just last year, national park visitors contributed more than $30 billion to local economies and support more than a quarter million jobs. The benefits are clear.

Creating the Pullman National Historical Park will allow the National Park Service to better represent America's cultural and ethnic diversity while providing a boost to the local economy and conservation opportunities for the area. I urge my colleagues to support Pullman National Historical Park Act.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source