Last week, Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL) introduced the Julius Rosenwald and Rosenwald Schools National Historical Park Act (S. 5122), which was shortly followed by House introduction of a similar bill (H.R. 9691) by Representative Danny Davis (D-IL).

The new legislation comes after the June release of a National Park Service special resource study evaluating multiple sites with congressionally established criteria. It supports the preservation of sites associated with the life and legacy of Julius Rosenwald with a special focus on Rosenwald Schools and the partnership with Booker T. Washington.

If enacted the Senate legislation would preserve Rosenwald Schools beginning with the San Domingo School in Sharptown, MD; support the creation of a headquarters and visitor center for a National Historical Park within the footprint of the Sears Merchandising Complex in Chicago, IL; and establish a network of Rosenwald Schools within the National Park System, among other things. An additional provision in the House legislation would include St. George Rosenwald School in South Carolina for inclusion in the National Historical Park with additional schools to be selected by Congress at a later date.

The National Trust continues to work closely with our partners to support preservation of these and other sites. We hope you will join us in contacting your federal elected officials to support the legislation.