John Hansen: “I rise in support of H.R. 4073, a bill introduced by our colleague, Mr. Portman, to designate the National Underground…”

“I rise in support of H.R. 4073, a bill introduced by our colleague, Mr. Portman, to designate the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati, OH as an affiliated area of the National Park System. The Underground Railroad was perhaps the most dramatic protest action against slavery in U.S. history. It was a clandestine operation that began during the colonial period, later became part of organized abolitionist activity in the 19th century, and reached its peak in the period 1830-1865. The story of the Underground Railroad is one of individual sacrifice and heroism in the efforts of enslaved people to reach freedom from bondage. In 1990, Congress passed Public Law 101-628 which directed the National Park Service to conduct a study of the Underground Railroad to determine methods for commemorating and interpreting the Underground Railroad. In February of this year, the administration transmitted their study to Congress. Among other things, the study concluded that a variety of partnership approaches would be most appropriate for the protection and interpretation of the Underground Railroad.”