National Parks Group Applauds Legislation Calling for Study That Would Create First National Park in Chicago
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PRESS RELEASE
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| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | |
| Date: | January 31, 2012 |
| Contact: | Lynn McClure, Midwest Regional Director, National Parks Conservation Association P: 312.263.0111 OR C: 312.343.7216 Alison Zemanski, Media Relations Manager, National Parks Conservation Association P: 202.454.3332; C: 202.384.8762 |
National Parks Group Applauds Legislation Calling for Study That Would Create First National Park in Chicago
“We applaud Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr.’s passion and leadership in preserving American history to bring our first national park to Chicago in the historic Pullman District. This special resource study is just the first step, but it’s an important one, and one that has been talked about for many years. We are confident that this study will only reaffirm this Site’s cultural and historic significance and will ultimately lead to its designation as Chicago’s first national park.
“National parks provide opportunities to learn about our nation’s heritage. They are the soul of America, illustrating our past and teaching valuable lessons about our shared heritage. They are the places we go for reflection, inspiration, and connection to our nation’s magnificent spaces and to find our place in history. Already recognized for its significance in preserving a piece of American history, the Pullman District is on the National Register of Historic Places and is also recognized as a cultural landmark by the city of Chicago.
“Pullman tells the stories of the rise of the modern labor movement including the first African American labor union, and of the first industrial planned community designed to replace over-crowded working-class districts in other 19th century industrial cities – all just 15 miles south of the Loop.
“Why invest now? National parks support more than $13 billion of local private-sector economic activity and more than a quarter million private-sector jobs. For every federal dollar invested in national parks, at least four dollars are returned to local economies.
“We look forward to working with Congressman Jackson and our partner groups to bring our first national park to the city of Chicago.”
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