Hank Johnson: “Tonight, I rise to urge the House to adopt H.R. 4119, the West Hunter Street Baptist Church Study Act. Mr. Speaker, this…”

“Tonight, I rise to urge the House to adopt H.R. 4119, the West Hunter Street Baptist Church Study Act. Mr. Speaker, this is a noncontroversial and bipartisan piece of legislation. I was proud to introduce this bill in partnership with my colleague and fellow Georgian, Congressman Austin Scott. My bill has the support of both of Georgia's Republican U.S. Senators and 77 bipartisan Members of the House of Representatives. This is an important piece of legislation for the people of Georgia's Fourth Congressional District, whom I represent, but also for the thousands of heroes who fought tirelessly during the civil rights movement for equality in the South and throughout the country. The West Hunter Street Baptist Church Study Act authorizes the Department of the Interior to conduct a study of the West Hunter Street Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia, to determine if it meets the requirements to become part of our Nation's park system. According to the National Park Service, the site may be considered for designation as a national park if it is associated with significant events and people in our Nation's history and contributes to the understanding of these historic events and figures. During the civil rights movement, the West Hunter Street Baptist Church served as the headquarters for many civil rights workers and organizers.…”