Gonzales on House Floor: Establishing the Blackwell School as National Historic Site ensures that generations to come can understand its rich, complicated history.
Texas Insider Report: WASHINGTON, D.C. –Congressman Tony Gonzales (R-TX-23) on Thursday released the following statement, applauding the House passage of the Blackwell School National Historic Act (H.R. 4706):
“For decades, the Blackwell School has been an important piece of history for Marfa, west Texas and Mexican-Americans across the country,” said Congressman Gonzales. “Establishing the Blackwell School as a National Historic Site will cement its rich, complicated legacy for generations to come.”
“As our country continues to grapple with urgent, endemic issues of race, identity, and institutional discrimination, we need to act now to protect places like the Blackwell School so the important stories of our past can be told now, and for generations,” said Theresa Pierno, President and CEO for The National Parks Conservation Association.
“The stories of hardship that Latino students faced at Blackwell and their resilience in the face of discrimination have so much to teach us about America’s past, present, and future. That is why we have been working to ensure this story is preserved within the National Park System. To immerse ourselves in a painful part of our history, and to understand and never forget what these Blackwell students endured and overcame. As park advocates and students of history, we are grateful to our leaders in the House of Representatives for passing the Blackwell School National Historic Site Act. We look now to the Senate to stand with the students of Blackwell and their descendants and make this place a national park site.”
Congressmen Gonzales and Filemón Vela (D-TX-34) introduced the legislation in July. With its passage in the House on Wednesday, the bill will move to the Senate. If it passes in the Senate, it will go to the President’s desk to be signed into law. Congressman Gonzales also delivered a speech in support of the bill on the House floor. Watch the video here.
