Jackie Speier: “I thank my friend from the Northern Mariana Islands for yielding. I rise today in support of this legislation, the…”

“I thank my friend from the Northern Mariana Islands for yielding. I rise today in support of this legislation, the Buffalo Soldiers in the National Parks Study Act, which will allow the Department of the Interior to study the role of Buffalo Soldiers and how they defended our first national parks. This is a key step in preserving the legacy of the Army's first African American infantry and cavalry units and the contributions they made to our Nation. This bill will evaluate the feasibility of a National Historic Trail along the Buffalo Soldiers' route from their historic military post at the San Francisco Presidio to Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks. The study would also identify properties that could be listed in the National Register of Historic Places or designations as National Historic Landmarks. For several years, Buffalo Soldier regiments traveled 320 miles along this route to patrol the parklands for loggers and poachers, build new trails, and escort visitors. The Buffalo Soldiers were among our very first park rangers, a challenging task these troops took on with pride after serving bravely in the Civil War. Because of the color of their skin, the Buffalo Soldiers were all too often marginalized instead of respected for their service to our Nation, both on and off the battlefield. However, during their time protecting the parks, they not only confronted racism and discrimination, they overcame it.…”