NEWS & PUBLICATIONS

Indiana Congressman Mark Souder Introduces Bill to Preserve History of All Americans in the National Parks

Washington, D.C. - Representative Mark Souder (R-Indiana) yesterday introduced legislation, The Peopling of America Theme Study Act (H.R. 2420) that would authorize the National Park Service to identify sites that interpret and commemorate the experiences of immigrants, forced or voluntary, and native peoples in the United States.

"How America was settled, or 'peopled,' is one of our nation's most exciting, yet most neglected stories," said National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) president Thomas Kiernan. "The history uncovered and interpreted through this act will serve as an important tool for teaching future generations about diversity in America. Without this legislation, we risk losing an important part of America's past in a sort of historical amnesia. We applaud Congressman Souder's leadership in promoting this important measure."

There are 385 national park units, more than 70,000 listings on the National Register of Historic Places, and hundreds of national landmarks in the United States, but sites associated with the historical and cultural diversity of American immigration and settlement are not well represented.

"Such as study will help complete the story of our development as a nation," said Congressman Souder.

Senator Daniel Akaka (D- Hawaii) was the original sponsor of this legislation. He introduced The Peopling of America Theme Study Act (S. 329) in the Senate in February 2001.