Department of Interior Testimony On S. 2548 African American History Commission
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U.S. Senator Tim KaineDepartment of Interior Testimony On S. 2548 African American History Commission
Uploaded by
U.S. Senator Tim KaineSTATEMENT OF DR.
STEPHANIE TOOTHMAN, ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR FOR
CULTURAL RESOURCES, PARTNERSHIPS, AND SCIENCE, NATIONAL PARK
SERVICE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, BEFORE THE SENATE
SUBCOMMITTEE ON NATIONAL PARKS, COMMITTEE ON ENERGY AND
NATURAL RESOURCES, CONCERNING S. 2548, A BILL TO ESTABLISH THE 400
YEARS OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY COMMISSION, AND FOR OTHERS
PURPOSES.
JUNE 15, 2016
Mr. Chairman and members of the subcommittee, thank you for the opportunity to present the
views of the Department of the Interior on S. 2548, a bill to establish the 400 Years of AfricanAmerican History Commission.
The Department supports S. 2548, however, we would like to work with the committee on the
composition of the commission.
S. 2548 would create the 400 Years of African-American History Commission (Commission) to
commemorate four centuries of African-American history in the United States. Through
programs, activities, education, and outreach, the Commission would honor the arrival of
Africans in the United States and the contributions of African-Americans throughout the nation.
The Commission would consist of 15 members appointed by the Secretary of the Interior,
including an employee of the National Park Service (NPS). It also authorizes the Commission to
provide grants of up to $20,000 and technical assistance to communities and nonprofit
organizations for the development of programs, projects, and activities to assist in the
commemoration. It would also provide grants to research and scholarly organizations to
research, publish, and distribute information relating to the arrival of Africans in the United
States. The bill would allow federal employees to be detailed to the Commission, at the
Commissions request. Finally, the bill provides the authorization of funds until the Commission
terminates on July 1, 2020.
When the first African people arrived in the English colonies at Point Comfort, Virginia, in 1619,
it was not in the pursuit of a new life, wealth, or freedom from oppression; it was in bondage,
against their will, with a loss of their freedom. Their arrival marked the beginning of a long and
difficult narrative of slavery, resistance, reconstruction, and civil rights, with the story still being
written today. However, in all the tragedy and hardship that is interwoven into the history of
slavery in America, there is a greater narrative of resilience and perseverance, making it one of
the greatest survival stories rarely told and not fully understood. The work of this Commission
would support the research, preservation, and commemoration of this 400-year history of
courage, determination, and great accomplishment in the face of brutal oppression.
There are several units in the National Park System that help to tell the story of the AfricanAmerican struggle and triumph, including the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National
Monument, the Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument, and the African Burial
Ground National Monument. However, the NPS recognizes that there are countless sites outside
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of the system that deserve recognition. These sites and stories related to African-American
history have not always been fully recognized or preserved, and are often in danger of being lost
or destroyed. If enacted, S. 2548 would establish a Commission that could prevent further loss
through partnership coordination, research, educational outreach efforts, technical assistance, and
commemoration activities leading up the 400-year anniversary of African-American history.
Establishing a commission to commemorate and recognize the resilience and contributions of
African-Americans since 1619, as envisioned in S. 2548, would provide the nation an
opportunity to reflect upon their struggles and successes within an environment that would be
inclusive and contemplative. The Department of the Interior and the National Park Service stand
ready to contribute their resources and expertise to this important commemoration. Ultimately,
the Commission would create greater public insight, foster preservation, and promote increased
awareness of this 400-year narrative of great resilience and immeasurable contribution to our
American story.
While we support establishment of this Commission, we would like to work with the committee
to ensure that the Commission represents a diverse composition of national, state, local, and
private individuals.
Mr. Chairman, this concludes my testimony. I would be happy to answer any questions you or
other members of the subcommittee may have.
