H.R. 3250House116th Congress (2019-2021)Enacted

Julius Rosenwald and the Rosenwald Schools Act of 2020

AI-Generated Summary

Updated April 14, 2026 at 6:18 AM UTC

The Julius Rosenwald and the Rosenwald Schools Act of 2020 directs the Interior Department to examine historic sites linked to philanthropist Julius Rosenwald, focusing on the thousands of schools he helped build across the South. The study will determine the importance of these sites, explore adding them to the National Park System or other preservation options, and provide cost estimates. The results must be reported to Congress within three years.

Key Provisions

The Secretary of the Interior must conduct a special resource study of sites tied to Julius Rosenwald’s life and legacy, especially the Rosenwald Schools built between 1912‑1932.
The study must focus on a list of specific schools and related sites in 15 southern states and several locations in Illinois.
The study will assess the national significance of these sites and whether they could be added to the National Park System, including the possibility of an interpretive center near Chicago.
It must also look at other ways the federal government, states, localities, or private groups could preserve, protect, or interpret the sites, and estimate any related costs.
Within three years of receiving funding, the Secretary must report the study’s findings and recommendations to the House and Senate natural resources committees.

Legislative Activity

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22 earlier actions

Became Law Latest Action

Became Public Law No: 116-336.

January 13, 2021

View full timeline

HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

June 13, 2019

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

Natural Resources Committee

June 13, 2019

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands.

Federal Lands Subcommittee

June 25, 2019

HouseCommittee

Subcommittee Hearings Held.

Federal Lands Subcommittee

October 29, 2019

HouseCommittee

Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands Discharged.

Natural Resources Committee

March 11, 2020

HouseCommittee

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

Natural Resources Committee

March 11, 2020

HouseCommittee

Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.

Natural Resources Committee

March 11, 2020

HouseCommittee

Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 116-431.

Natural Resources Committee

June 11, 2020

HouseCalendars

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 345.

June 11, 2020

HouseFloor

Mr. Gallego moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

December 17, 2020 • 2:35 PM

HouseFloor

Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H7247-7248)

December 17, 2020 • 2:36 PM

HouseFloor

DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3250.

December 17, 2020 • 2:36 PM

HouseFloor

At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.

December 17, 2020 • 2:44 PM

HouseFloor

Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H7252-7253)

December 17, 2020 • 3:30 PM

HouseFloor

Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 387 - 5 (Roll no. 245).

View vote Passed

December 17, 2020 • 5:04 PM

HouseFloor

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 387 - 5 (Roll no. 245). (text: CR H7247)

View vote Passed

December 17, 2020 • 5:04 PM

HouseFloor

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

December 17, 2020 • 5:04 PM

SenateIntro Referral

Received in the Senate, read twice.

December 18, 2020

SenateFloor

Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S7902)

December 21, 2020

SenateFloor

Message on Senate action sent to the House.

December 21, 2020

President

Presented to President.

January 1, 2021

Became Law

Signed by President.

January 13, 2021

Became Law

Became Public Law No: 116-336.

January 13, 2021

Voting History

1 vote recorded • Roll call available

HOUSE

Roll Call Available

December 17, 2020 at 5:01 PM

On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended

Majority required: 2/3 (66.7%)

Passed

387 - 5

Bill Text

6 versions available

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Enrolled BillPublication date not provided

One Hundred Sixteenth Congress of the United States of America

At the Second Session

Begun and held at the City of Washington on Friday, the third day of January, two thousand and twenty

H. R. 3250

AN ACT

To require the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resource study of the sites associated with the life and legacy of the noted American philanthropist and business executive Julius Rosenwald, with a special focus on the Rosenwald Schools, and for other purposes.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Julius Rosenwald and the Rosenwald Schools Act of 2020.

Resource study of Julius Rosenwald and Rosenwald schools

(a)

Definitions

In this section:

(1)

Rosenwald school

The term Rosenwald School means any of the 5,357 schools and related buildings constructed in 15 southern States during the period of 1912 through 1932 by the philanthropy of Julius Rosenwald.

(2)

Secretary

The term Secretary means the Secretary of the Interior.

(3)

Study area

The term study area means the sites associated with the life and legacy of Julius Rosenwald.

(b)

Special resource study

(1)

Study

The Secretary shall conduct a special resource study of the study area, with a special emphasis on the following Rosenwald Schools and other sites associated with the life and legacy of Julius Rosenwald:

(A)

Sears Administration Building at Homan Square in Chicago, Illinois.

(B)

Rosenwald Court Apartments in Chicago, Illinois.

(C)

Museum of Science & Industry in Chicago, Illinois.

(D)

Rosenwald House (formerly the Lyon Home) at the Lincoln Home National Historic Site in Springfield, Illinois.

(E)

Cairo Rosenwald School, a one-teacher school in Sumner County, Tennessee.

(F)

Shady Grove School, a one-teacher school in Louisa County, Virginia.

(G)

Noble Hill School, a two-teacher school in Bartow County, Georgia.

(H)

Ridgeley School, a two-teacher school in Prince Georges County, Maryland.

(I)

Bay Springs School, a two-teacher school in Forest County, Mississippi.

(J)

Russell School, a two-teacher school in Durham County, North Carolina.

(K)

Shiloh Rosenwald School, a three-teacher school in Macon County, Alabama.

(L)

San Domingo School, a four-teacher school in Wicomico County, Maryland.

(M)

Elmore County Training School, a seven-teacher school in Elmore County, Alabama.

(N)

Dunbar Junior High, Senior High and Junior College in Little Rock, Arkansas.

(2)

Contents

In conducting the study under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall—

(A)

evaluate the national significance of the study area;

(B)

determine the suitability and feasibility of designating the study area as a unit of the National Park System, including an interpretive center in or near Chicago, Illinois;

(C)

consider other alternatives for preservation, protection, and interpretation of the study area by the Federal Government, State or local government entities, or private and nonprofit organizations;

(D)

consult with interested Federal agencies, State or local governmental entities, private and nonprofit organizations, or any other interested individuals; and

(E)

identify cost estimates for any Federal acquisition, development, interpretation, operation, and maintenance associated with the alternatives.

(c)

Applicable law

The study under paragraph (1) shall be conducted in accordance with section 100507 of title 54, United States Code.

(d)

Results

Not later than 3 years after the date on which funds are first made available for the study under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate a report describing—

(1)

the results of the study; and

(2)

any conclusions and recommendations of the Secretary relating to the study.

Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Vice President of the United States and President of the Senate.