New Philadelphia National Historic Site Act

Madam Speaker, I thank my friend from Alabama (Mr. Carl) for yielding and for his terrific work on the Natural Resources Committee, and I thank the majority and Chairman Grijalva for their support.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of my bipartisan bill, H.R. 820, the New Philadelphia National Historic Site Act.

Located in West Central Illinois, near the Missouri border, in Barry, Illinois, is New Philadelphia. Founded in 1836 by Frank McWorter, this was the first town founded, platted, and registered by an African American in the United States.

Once an enslaved person himself, Mr. Frank McWorter also known as ``Free Frank,'' bought his freedom. Mr. McWorter went on in his life and in his legacy to establish New Philadelphia, but also to demonstrate the critical role many African Americans played in their own freedom efforts.

Through the sale of land in New Philadelphia, among other business ventures, Free Frank used his earnings to free 15 other family members out of slavery. Additionally, many of the residents of New Philadelphia, both European Americans and African Americans, later came together to assist freedom-seekers moving north from slave-occupied States and locations.

The 40-acre original townsite is now nationally and historically significant. It is an archaeological site, advancing our understanding of free, rural communities and the abolitionist movement in the antebellum area.

The New Philadelphia site has already been recognized for its historical significance. It is currently on the National Register of Historic Places and is designated as a National Historic Landmark. The site is also included in the National Park Service Underground Railroad Network to Freedom program, and the Smithsonian National Museum of American History displays many of the artifacts unearthed from the area near New Philadelphia.

This bipartisan bill would establish the New Philadelphia National Historical Park in the State of Illinois as a unit of the National Park System.

Many local and regional organizations have worked tirelessly for many years to preserve and protect this site and they deserve so much credit. One organization in particular, the New Philadelphia Association, has done a tremendous job in improving, maintaining, and endorsing the site for the benefit of New Philadelphia descendants, those living in the surrounding community, and those visiting from afar. I am delighted to be here tonight to assist their efforts and support the continued advocacy of many of my engaged constituents on this issue.

Including New Philadelphia in the National Park System would provide certainty and ensure its continued preservation far into the future. The National Park Service will be able to provide the tools, resources, and expertise necessary to elevate the site to its fullest potential.

It is imperative that sites like New Philadelphia are preserved for years to come, so that future generations can better understand their important history as well as the lessons that history provides us.

In closing, I thank the Natural Resources Committee for supporting this important piece of legislation, and I urge the adoption of the bill.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 820) to establish the New Philadelphia National Historical Park in the State of Illinois as a unit of the National Park System, and for other purposes, as amended.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the measure under consideration.

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

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 820, the New Philadelphia National Historic Site Act. New Philadelphia was the first town platted and legally registered by an African American before the Civil War. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, designated as a National Historic Landmark, and included in the National Park Service's National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom program.

This bill would further establish the New Philadelphia National Historic Site in Pike County, Illinois.

Honoring the legacy of New Philadelphia and celebrating the history of Black Americans is critically important. The protection and conservation of New Philadelphia ensures that this important history is preserved so that visitors to the site can have the opportunity to learn from and understand an important part of Illinois and American history.

The story of New Philadelphia is our story, and it rightly deserves a place in our National Park System.

As chair of the Natural Resources Committee, I am committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout our committee's work, including by advancing the preservation of forgotten or under- told stories.

I thank my colleague, Representative LaHood, for introducing this important legislation and championing the bill on behalf of, not only of his constituents, but the overall interest of the American people.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes,'' and I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time on my side, and I am prepared to close. I reserve the balance of my time.

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

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

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 820, the New Philadelphia National Historic Site Act, sponsored by Congressman Darin LaHood of Illinois, which would establish New Philadelphia as a unit of the National Park System.

New Philadelphia Town Site, located near Barry, Illinois, is the first known town in the United States to be established and officially registered by an African American.

The national historic site established by this bill will tell the inspiring story of ``Free Frank'' McWorter, who founded New Philadelphia in 1836. He was born into slavery in South Carolina in 1777 and spent the first 42 years of his life enslaved. He worked to save enough money to purchase the freedom of his expectant wife, Lucy, and ensuring the freedom of their child. Two years later, he purchased his own freedom.

The family moved to a pioneer homestead in Illinois, where McWorter founded a town called New Philadelphia where free-born and formerly enslaved African Americans lived, alongside European Americans in a region and an era intense with racial strife.

New Philadelphia was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2005 and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2009. New Philadelphia is also listed as part of the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom.

I commend Representative LaHood for sponsoring this bipartisan and locally supported bill. New Philadelphia will be a valuable addition to the National Park System.

Madam Speaker, I urge adoption of this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. LaHood).

Madam Speaker, I urge the adoption of this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.