To direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resource study to determine the suitability and feasibility of establishing the birthplace of James Weldon Johnson in Jacksonville, Florida, as a unit of the National Park System.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Chairman

Bishop for moving this fine bill through his committee.

James Weldon Johnson was born in 1871 in Jacksonville. This is very significant and probably should have been done many years ago for his contributions to education and the accomplishments he was able to make throughout his life.

He also was not only the first African American admitted to The Florida Bar but also the first African American to teach at New York University. I think most significant was that he was appointed by President Roosevelt to serve as a dignitary to Venezuela and Nigeria. His accomplishments are revered by everyone in the United States.

He was a great writer. In fact, when he wrote ``Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing,'' he wrote it to celebrate President Lincoln's birthday. His brother later put it into lyrics. It was adopted by the NAACP as the Negro national anthem.

Ever since I was small, we would hear ``Lift Ev'ry Voice,'' ``Lift Ev'ry Voice.'' Little did we know that ``Lift Ev'ry Voice'' would be presented at every festivity and graduation throughout America, at football games and everywhere, because of Mr. Johnson's contributions.

I feel very honored to have this historic site among our Park Service so people can know the history of James Weldon Johnson, not only in the Jacksonville community but throughout America. I think it would be fitting that many people have the opportunity to visit his birthplace to see the contributions he has made.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5005) to direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resource study to determine the suitability and feasibility of establishing the birthplace of James Weldon Johnson in Jacksonville, Florida, as a unit of the National Park System.

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.

This is a fairly significant but straightforward bill. It simply is asking for a study on the potential of including James Weldon Johnson's birthplace as part of our national park system.

Mr. Johnson was a leader in the civil rights movement of his time. He had many talents. He was a diplomat, executive director of the NAACP, the first African to be a member of The Florida Bar. He has also written songs.

Having a special place in history, it is appropriate that we simply direct the National Park Service to investigate the possibility of adding this to the historical sites of significance within the Park Service system.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I have no other speakers, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Lawson).

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

Mr. Speaker, Representative Lawson's bill directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resource study to determine the suitability of establishing the birthplace of James Weldon Johnson, located in Jacksonville, Florida, as a unit of the National Park System.

James Weldon Johnson was born in Jacksonville to immigrant parents from the Bahamas. He went on to become a respected lawyer, educator, and writer.

President Theodore Roosevelt appointed James Weldon Johnson as U.S. Consult to Venezuela and Nicaragua during the early 1900's.

I applaud my colleague Representative Lawson for introducing legislation to honor the first African American executive secretary of the NAACP.

I support passage of H.R. 5005.

Mr. Speaker, if the gentleman has no further speakers, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I was unable to be present for votes taken Tuesday, June 5, due to it being primary election day in California. I also missed votes on Tuesday, June 12. Had I been present, I would have voted as follows:

Roll Call Vote Number 231 (Passage of H.R. 5005): YES

Roll Call Vote Number 232 (Passage of H.R. 2991, the Susquehanna National Heritage Area Act): YES

Roll Call Vote Number 233 (Passage of H.R. 5655, the Camp Nelson Heritage National Monument Act): YES

Roll Call Vote Number 258 (Passage of H.R. 1815, the Comprehensive Opioid Recovery Centers Act): YES

Roll Call Vote Number 259 (Passage of H.R. 5041, the Safe Disposal of Unused Medication Act): YES

Roll Call Vote Number 260 (Approving the Journal): NO

Mr. Speaker, on Tuesday, June 5, 2018, I was unavoidably detained and was unable to make votes that evening. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' for rollcall 231, H.R. 5005-- To direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resource study to determine the suitability and feasibility of establishing the birthplace of James Weldon Johnson in Jacksonville, Florida, as a unit of the National Park System; rollcall 232, H.R. 2991--Susquehanna National Heritage Area Act; and, rollcall 233, H.R. 5655--Camp Nelson Heritage National Monument Act.