GovTrack’s Bill Summary
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H.R. 1022 (112th): Buffalo Soldiers in the National Parks Study Act
- Introduced:
- Mar 10, 2011 (112th Congress, 2011–2013)
- Sponsor:
- Rep. Jackie Speier [D-CA12]
- Status:
- Died (Passed House)
- See Instead:
- This bill was re-introduced as H.R. 520 on Feb 05, 2013. See H.R. 520 for current action on this subject.
The bill’s title was written by the bill’s sponsor. H.R. stands for House of Representatives bill.
- Full Title
To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study of alternatives for commemorating and interpreting the role of the Buffalo Soldiers in the early years of the National Parks, and for other purposes.
- Summary
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No summaries available.
- Text
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Last updated Jan 26, 2012.
4 pages
- Primary Source
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View on THOMAS (The Library of Congress)
GovTrack gets most information from THOMAS, which is updated generally one day after events occur. Activity since the last update may not be reflected here.
- Citation
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Library of Congress Summary
The summary below was written by the Congressional Research Service, which is a nonpartisan division of the Library of Congress.
1/25/2012--Passed House without amendment.
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced.
The expanded summary of the House reported version is repeated here.) Buffalo Soldiers in the National Parks Study Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to study alternatives for the commemoration and interpretation of the role of the Buffalo Soldiers (African-American troops who, in the late 19th century and early 20th century, came to be known as the Buffalo Soldiers) in the early years of the National Parks, which shall include:
(1) a historical assessment of the Buffalo Soldiers who served in National Parks in the years before the establishment of the National Park Service (NPS);
(2) an evaluation of the suitability and feasibility of establishing a national historic trail commemorating the route traveled by the Buffalo Soldiers from their post in the Presidio in San Francisco to the Sequoia and Yosemite National Parks and to any other National Parks where they may have served;
(3) identification of properties that could meet criteria for listing in the National Register of Historic Places or criteria for designation as National Historic Landmarks; and
(4) an evaluation of ways of enhancing research, education, and awareness of the story of the Buffalo Soldiers' stewardship role in the National Parks. Requires the Secretary to submit to Congress a report on the findings and recommendations of such study.
House Republican Conference Summary
The summary below was written by the House Republican Conference, which is the caucus of Republicans in the House of Representatives.
This summary can be found at http://www.gop.gov/bill/112/2/hr1022.
Background
According to House Report 112-166, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Buffalo Soldiers, the all African-American cavalrymen of the U.S. Army, rode from the San Francisco Presidio to the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, serving as the protectors of several of the country's first national parks. Led by Lieutenant Colonel Charles Young, the first African American superintendent of Yosemite National Park, these de facto rangers built trails, preserved the giant sequoias, and protected the wildlife of Sequoia and Yosemite National Parks from poaching during these critical, formative years. H.R. 1022 directs the Secretary of the Interior to research the role of the Buffalo Soldiers in protecting these nascent parks and examine, among other things, the possible creation of a National Historic Trail along the route used by these soldiers.
Summary
H.R. 1022 would require the Secretary of the Interior to carry out a study of alternatives for commemorating and interpreting the role of the Buffalo Soldiers in the early years of the National Park Service (NPS). The study would be required to include:
- A historical assessment of the Buffalo Soldiers who served in National Parks in the years prior to the establishment of the National Park Service;
- An evaluation of the suitability and feasibility of establishing a national historic trail commemorating the route traveled by the Buffalo Soldiers;
- The identification of properties that could meet criteria for listing in the National Register of Historic Places or criteria for designation as National Historic Landmarks;
- An evaluation of appropriate ways to enhance historical research, education, interpretation, and public awareness of the story of the Buffalo Soldiers' stewardship role in the National Parks; and
- Any other matters that the Secretary of the Interior deems appropriate for this study.
H.R. 1022 would require that the study be completed and the results transmitted to Congress within three years of funds being made available for the study. According to CBO, conducting the study would cost about $400,000 over the next three years.
Cost
According to CBO, conducting the study would cost about $400,000 over the next three years.
House Democratic Caucus Summary
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