Strengthening America’s Turning Point Act

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1550) to redesignate Saratoga National Historical Park as Saratoga National Battlefield Park.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 1550, the bill now under consideration.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of Representative Stefanik's bill, H.R. 1550, which will redesignate the Saratoga National Historical Park located in her district as the Saratoga National Battlefield Park.

Saratoga County, New York, is the fastest growing county in New York State and features a robust economy and world-class tourist destinations for families and history buffs alike. However, this prosperous community in upstate New York would not exist if not for a series of legendary events that took place nearly 250 years ago.

In September 1777, General Horatio Gates led Continental Army troops against the British empire in present-day Saratoga County. In the ensuing Battles of Saratoga, American colonists forged a turning point in the Revolutionary War by routing the British invasion force.

Today, this 3,400-acre site is considered a unit of the National Park System. There, visitors can explore trails and experience the historic battlefield, which includes landmarks, fortifications, and other important structures.

Representative Stefanik's legislation would redesignate this hallowed site as the Saratoga National Battlefield Park, thereby recognizing its significance as a historic battlefield and highlighting the sacrifices made by the soldiers who fought there.

While this area was originally named Saratoga Battlefield Park by the State of New York, the battlefield nomenclature was dropped in 1938 when the area became part of the National Park System. With the battles' upcoming 250th anniversary, however, residents of Saratoga County and New York State have called for renaming the park to clarify its place in the heroic struggle for American independence.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Stefanik for her leadership on this issue. She is a longstanding advocate for honoring America's history and protecting hallowed battlefields. Her leadership was crucial in ensuring the passage of the bipartisan American Battlefield Protection Program Enhancement Act, which was signed into law earlier this year.

Mr. Speaker, I support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Stefanik), the lead sponsor of this bill.

Mr. Speaker, this bill by Representative Stefanik acknowledges a significant site for its pivotal role in American history as we approach our Nation's 250th anniversary.

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

Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Westerman for yielding me time.

I rise today in support of my legislation, the Strengthening America's Turning Point Act.

I am always proud to share with my colleagues in Congress and with the American people that upstate New York and the North Country are known as the cradle of the American Revolution, home to numerous battlefields and historic sites that were critical in shaping our Nation's founding and history.

As we approach the U.S. semiquincentennial and the 250th anniversary of the Battles of Saratoga, there is no better time to recognize the pivotal role this site played in our Nation's war for independence.

The Battles of Saratoga were the most significant turning points and one of the most decisive American battles of the Revolution. British General Burgoyne tried to seize control of the strategically important Hudson River Valley, but his campaign ended in defeat at the Battles of Saratoga, where he surrendered to General Horatio Gates.

The American victory against British forces at the Battles of Saratoga marked a changing of the tide in the Revolutionary War, hence, the turning point, securing foreign support from France and bolstering domestic support for the American patriots and their righteous cause.

This bipartisan legislation would rename Saratoga National Historical Park to Saratoga National Battlefield Park to more accurately reflect the historical significance of the site and emphasize the crucial military engagement that took place there.

The historic site was originally actually named Saratoga Battlefield Park, but when it became a national park in 1938, the word ``battlefield'' was left out of the name.

Unanimously supported by the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors, this significant fix will help increase public understanding of the deep significance the site holds in our military history and honor the site where so many gave their last full measure of devotion.

Mr. Speaker, I express my gratitude to my great friend and classmate, Chairman Bruce Westerman, for his partnership in ensuring our battlefields and historic sites in upstate New York and across America are preserved and protected for generations to come.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this bipartisan bill, the Strengthening America's Turning Point Act.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1550 redesignates Saratoga National Historical Park as the Saratoga National Battlefield Park.

The site in Stillwater, New York, marks the location of a critical pair of battles known as the turning point of the American Revolutionary War.

American forces defeated the British in the Battle of Saratoga in October 1777, which the National Park Service notes renewed the patriots' hope for independence and helped secure foreign recognition and support for the American Revolution.

This truly was a turning point that helped invigorate the fight for our independence.

As a testament to the importance of this monument, Congress has on permanent display in the Capitol rotunda, just steps away from here and to the left of the monument of three great suffragists, a famous oil painting by John Trumbull of the surrender of the British General Burgoyne at Saratoga.

The State of New York began efforts to preserve the battlefield in 1927, establishing a park known as the Saratoga Battlefield Park. However, the site's name changed to the Saratoga National Historical Park when Congress designated it as part of the National Park System in 1938.

Today's bill would restore the use of the term ``battlefield'' in the park's name to reflect the site's significance in the American Revolution. This is a fitting tribute as we prepare for next year's 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Mr. Speaker, I support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.