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STATEMENT OF
THE HONORABLE LOUIS STOKES
OF OHIO
IN SUPPORT OF H.R. 1635
THE NATIONAL UNDERGROUND RAILROAD NETWORK TO
FREEDOM ACT OF 1997
SUBCOMMITTEE ON NATIONAL PARKS AND PUBLIC LANDS
COMMITTEE ON RESOURCES
JULY 22, 1997
Mr. Chairman, Members of the Subcommittee. Before I
begin my testimony, I want to express my appreciation to you
for the expeditious manner in which you have responded to
the request of Mr. Portman and myself to conduct hearings on
our jointly-sponsored legislation.
I am pleased to appear before your panel this morning
as you consider H.R. 1635, the National Underground Railroad
Network to Freedom Act of 1997. My colleague, Congressman
Rob Portman, and I introduced this legislation in May.
Since its introduction, the bill has enjoyed strong support
on both sides of the aisle. This subcommittee hearing
represents an important step in our bipartisan effort to
secure the enactment of H.R. 1635.
The issue of slavery brings to mind a painful chapter
in our nation’s history. As a result of forced enslavement,
America witnessed the birth of a movement that would carry
masses of people from slave quarters in the south to freedom
in northern cities of the United States, Mexico, Canada and
the Caribbean. This movement became known as “The
Underground Railroad.”
History teaches us that the Underground Railroad
flourished from the end of the 18th century to
the end of the Civil War. It was one of the most
significant expressions of the American Civil Rights
Movement during its evolution over more than three
centuries. The Underground Railroad movement helped
thousands of African Americans to gain the freedom and human
dignity they were endowed with at birth.
Mr. Chairman, H.R. 1635, “The National Underground
Railroad Network to Freedom Act”, is a good bill. Through
the National Park Service, the measure will link Underground
Railroad sites. The legislation directs the Secretary of the
Interior to produce appropriate educational materials
associated with the Underground Railroad. Further, the bill
seeks to encourage public and private partnerships to tell
the story of the Underground Railroad.
It is our hope that through this legislation, we can
educate all people concerning this important episode in
American history. Second, we want to bring our country
together by facing the lingering vestiges of our
dehumanizing past, so that we can find common ground and
move forward as a people. I am convinced that we cannot
solve our racial problems unless we find a way to bring the
American people together in the same manner the Underground
Railroad bridged the divisions of race, religion,
nationalities, and spanned state lines and international
borders.
I am pleased that a number of distinguished experts are
joining us this morning to offer their strong support for
the Underground Railroad bill. We are grateful for this
high level of support.
Thanks you, Mr. Chairman, for the opportunity to
address the subcommittee. I would be pleased to answer any
questions at this time.
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