Buffalo Soldiers in the National Parks Study Act

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1022, ``Buffalo Soldiers in the National Parks Study Act.'' This bill directs the Secretary of the Interior to study alternatives for the commemoration and interpretation of the role of the Buffalo Soldiers in the early years of the national parks.

America's national parks are a treasure of nature's magnificent wonders--84 million acres of the most stunning landscapes anyone has ever seen. The story of the national parks is the story of people from every conceivable background who were willing to devote themselves to saving a portion of the land they loved. Among them were Buffalo Soldiers.

Our country began the arduous task of rebuilding itself after a brutal civil war. In this war former slaves fought in Union regiments to pursue the ultimate goal to end slavery. These Black soldiers were later used in 1866, when Congress created six segregated regiments that ultimately became four black regiments that later became known as the original Buffalo Soldiers. Because of prevailing attitudes following the Civil War, these soldiers could only serve west of the Mississippi River. Their main charge was to protect settlers as they moved west and to support building the infrastructure needed for new settlements to flourish.

Buffalo Soldiers conducted campaigns against American Indian tribes on a western frontier that extended from Montana in the northwest to Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona in the southwest. They engaged in several clashes against such great Indian Chiefs as Victorio, Geronimo, and Nana.

``Buffalo Soldiers'' was the name given the black cavalrymen by the Plains Indians. Reason for the name is uncertain. One view is that the Indians saw a resemblance between the black man's hair and the mane of a buffalo. Another view is that when a buffalo was wounded or cornered, it fought ferociously, displaying unusual stamina and courage. This was the same fighting spirit Indians saw in combat with black cavalrymen. Since Indians held the buffalo in such high regard, it was felt that the name was not given in contempt.

Those Buffalo Soldiers not only fought in conflicts along the western frontier, but they were indispensible in the treacherous and desolate trails of the Wild West. They helped protect and build up our new country as it expanded west. They built roads. They protected new territories where they escorted settlers, cattle herds, and railroad crews, while battling Mexican revolutionaries, outlaws, rustlers and hostile Native American tribes. The Buffalo Soldiers were the protectors of the western frontier.

Buffalo Soldiers played a central role in protecting national parks-- Yosemite, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. They were, in fact, our national parks' first ``guardians.'' These Soldiers kept the park free from poachers and from the ranchers whose grazing sheep destroyed the parks' natural habitats. They built roads, including the first wagon road into the Giant Forest of Sequoia.

At a time when most of the country would not recognize their humanity, these brave patriots stood up to fight and protect a country that was just as much theirs as any other American. And I think it is fitting and symbolic that at a time when our Nation was rebuilding itself after being torn apart, it was former slaves and children of former slaves--Buffalo Soldiers--that rebuilt and protected our new and expanding country.

As our country progresses, there will continue to be sites of historic and cultural significance that need to be added to the national park system. Commemorating and interpreting the role of the Buffalo Soldiers in the early years of the national parks will ensure the historical contributions of the Buffalo Soldiers will always be remembered. Celebrating the role of Buffalo Soldiers serves to interpret, articulate, collect, display and preserve historical artifacts, documents, and other historical memorabilia relating to these brave men.

It is America's mandate to acknowledge and reflect America's diverse stories. The story of Buffalo Soldiers is an underrepresented cultural theme in our national parks. Commemorating Buffalo Soldiers in the history of the nation's national parks is a step in the right direction. It reflects our cultural heritage and ensures their stories are told for our children and grandchildren to enjoy throughout posterity.

At this time I would also like to take a moment to thank a special Legislative Fellow in my office, Byron McKie. He has been working diligently to enhance the opportunities of children through STEM education.

Mr. Speaker, I stand today in support of H.R. 1022, the Buffalo Soldiers in the National Parks Study Act, which will allow the Department of the Interior to study the role of Buffalo Soldiers and how they defended our first national parks. This is a key step in preserving the legacy of the Army's first African American infantry and cavalry units and the contributions they made to our Nation.

Although history has often overlooked the contributions of the Buffalo Soldiers, all Americans from all walks of life would benefit from learning about this often overlooked chapter in our history. The legacy of the Buffalo Soldiers dates back to post Civil War days. Although African Americans have fought with distinction in all of our country's military engagements, their future in the Army was in doubt after the Civil War. In July 1866, however, Congress passed legislation establishing two cavalry regiments and four regiments of infantrymen, later merging two, whose composition was made up entirely of black soldiers. The troopers of the 9th and 10th Cavalries developed into two of the most distinguished fighting units in the Army and who were stationed at Ft. Sill in Oklahoma in the late 1870s. While they constructed key buildings on the post that still stand today, the Buffalo Soldiers' biggest contribution was to preserve the integrity of the land-runs which are such an integral part of Oklahoma, the Sooner state's, history and identity. Their bravery and fierce fighting techniques on the battlefield inspired Native Americans to call them ``Buffalo Soldiers.''

The Buffalo Soldiers served the United States in the harshest environments and under the most difficult conditions, and preserving their legacy will ensure that the Buffalo Soldiers' service will be appropriately memorialized. The Buffalo Soldiers' story is ultimately about the triumph not just of African American troops over prejudice and injustice, but about the movement of our nation westward, and toward a more tolerant and courageous society.

As such, I support the effort to evaluate the feasibility of a great National Historic Trail along the Buffalo Soldiers' route from their historic military post at the San Francisco Presidio to Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks. Identifying properties that could be listed in the National Register of Historic Places or designations as National Historic Landmarks will help keep the Buffalo Soldiers' story alive and bring to light, for future generations, their story of courage while serving their country.

We must all continue to work, together and as individuals, each day to make sure that our country truly is a community of all people and recognize those that came before us to make this nation strong, prosperous and free. We should never forget the challenges our predecessors faced in the creation and preservation of this great nation.

I thank my friend from the Northern Mariana Islands for yielding.

I rise today in support of this legislation, the Buffalo Soldiers in the National Parks Study Act, which will allow the Department of the Interior to study the role of Buffalo Soldiers and how they defended our first national parks. This is a key step in preserving the legacy of the Army's first African American infantry and cavalry units and the contributions they made to our Nation.

This bill will evaluate the feasibility of a National Historic Trail along the Buffalo Soldiers' route from their historic military post at the San Francisco Presidio to Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks. The study would also identify properties that could be listed in the National Register of Historic Places or designations as National Historic Landmarks.

For several years, Buffalo Soldier regiments traveled 320 miles along this route to patrol the parklands for loggers and poachers, build new trails, and escort visitors. The Buffalo Soldiers were among our very first park rangers, a challenging task these troops took on with pride after serving bravely in the Civil War.

Because of the color of their skin, the Buffalo Soldiers were all too often marginalized instead of respected for their service to our Nation, both on and off the battlefield. However, during their time protecting the parks, they not only confronted racism and discrimination, they overcame it. They

became respected neighbors and friends to people living in the park regions, and they made real inroads toward racial progress that were extraordinary for their day.

Although they were assigned to watch over government property for only a relatively short time, the Buffalo Soldiers helped lay the groundwork for some of our greatest wilderness to be preserved forever.

I'm proud that the Buffalo Soldiers traveled through my district on their way to the parks, and I believe this bill will help shine a light on the history they made in the great State of California and in many places across the country.

All Americans from all walks of life would benefit from learning about this often overlooked chapter in our history. The Buffalo Soldiers' story is ultimately about the triumph not just of African American troops over prejudice and injustice, but about the movement of our Nation toward a more tolerant and courageous society.

I thank my colleagues for supporting this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1022) 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.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous materials on the bill under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

H.R. 1022 authorizes the National Park Service to study alternatives for commemorating and interpreting the role of the Buffalo Soldiers in the early years of the national parks.

The Buffalo Soldiers were a segregated Army unit composed of African American cavalrymen. For nearly 25 years before the creation of the National Park Service, Yosemite National Park was administered by the U.S. Army. The Buffalo Soldiers played a key role protecting those park resources that have since been enjoyed by millions of Americans. Their success will be examined by this study that will focus on existing resources inside current national parks.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, may I ask if the minority bill manager has any additional speakers? We do not.

Mr. Speaker, with that, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

H.R. 1022 would direct the Secretary of the Interior to study ways the National Park Service could commemorate the role of Buffalo Soldiers.

Buffalo Soldiers were African American troops who served in the first national parks, including Yosemite and Sequoia National Park, prior to the establishment of the National Park Service.

The legislation, sponsored by Congresswoman Speier of California, was considered by the Committee on Natural Resources in May. I commend my colleague, Congresswoman Speier, for introducing this legislation and for her leadership on this issue. We strongly support this legislation.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, at this time, I yield such time that she may consume to the Congresswoman from California (Ms. Speier), the sponsor of this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.