Overview

Title

To designate Holcombe Rucker Park, in Harlem, New York, as a National Commemorative Site, and for other purposes.

ELI5 AI

Holcombe Rucker Park, a famous basketball park in New York, is being recognized as a special place because of its important history, but this won't change who owns or runs it or mean it's part of the national parks.

Summary AI

H. R. 6852 aims to officially recognize Holcombe Rucker Park in Harlem, New York, as a National Commemorative Site, but it will not be part of the National Park System. The bill highlights the park's historical significance in promoting social justice and its role as a hub for streetball, where many basketball legends have played. The park is also noted for its cultural impact through various media and remains an important venue for streetball tournaments, inspiring generations with its rich history and contributions to the community. Importantly, the park's designation won't affect property owners' rights or its current management by New York City or the State of New York.

Published

2023-12-19
Congress: 118
Session: 1
Chamber: HOUSE
Status: Introduced in House
Date: 2023-12-19
Package ID: BILLS-118hr6852ih

Bill Statistics

Size

Sections:
3
Words:
772
Pages:
4
Sentences:
26

Language

Nouns: 292
Verbs: 46
Adjectives: 23
Adverbs: 3
Numbers: 23
Entities: 80

Complexity

Average Token Length:
4.25
Average Sentence Length:
29.69
Token Entropy:
5.03
Readability (ARI):
16.94

AnalysisAI

Summary of the Bill

The proposed legislation, titled the Holcombe Rucker Park Landmark Act, aims to designate Holcombe Rucker Park in Harlem, New York, as a National Commemorative Site. This bill acknowledges the park's cultural and historical significance due to its association with basketball and social justice. While receiving this designation, the park will not become a formal part of the National Park System, and its current administration by New York City and the State of New York remains unchanged.

Significant Issues

One key issue with the bill is the lack of clarity regarding the impact and implications of the "National Commemorative Site" designation. Since the designation does not include the park as part of the National Park System, it may not entail the level of protection or benefits typical of other federally recognized parks. Additionally, the bill does not detail any financial aspects, leading to ambiguity regarding funding responsibilities or potential federal support.

Potential Public Impact

The bill's passage could positively impact public perception by formally recognizing Holcombe Rucker Park's historical and cultural importance. This designation might encourage tourism and local pride, potentially boosting the local economy. However, without clear financial support, there might be no immediate tangible benefits for park maintenance or enhancements, which users of the park might expect from a national designation.

Impact on Stakeholders

For basketball enthusiasts, civil rights historians, and Harlem residents, this bill serves as an acknowledgment of Holcombe Rucker Park's pivotal role in sports history and social integration. Such recognition may increase interest in preserving the park as an important cultural site. Nevertheless, without explicit financial or administrative support, the designation itself is primarily symbolic and may not address practical needs for park management or development.

Local government entities and property owners will remain unaffected in terms of management or property rights, suggesting minimal disruption. However, they might face pressures or expectations from the public for park improvements due to its new status, without having allocated resources or guidelines provided by the federal government.

Overall, while the bill enhances the park’s prestige, the absence of details on practical implications could lead to public confusion or unmet expectations regarding what this designation truly entails.

Issues

  • The designation of Holcombe Rucker Park as a 'National Commemorative Site' may create public confusion due to the lack of clear definition and implications, especially since it is not a unit of the National Park System and does not alter property ownership or administration by New York City or the State of New York. (Section 3).

  • The bill does not specify any financial implications or funding related to the designation of the site, which could lead to ambiguity about financial responsibilities or benefits at federal, state, or local levels. This may be of concern for public funds and budget allocations. (Section 3).

  • The purpose or benefits of designating Holcombe Rucker Park as a National Commemorative Site are not clearly articulated, which might raise questions about the necessity or intent of the designation and how it serves the public interest. (Section 3).

  • The lack of content in Section 1, which only includes the title of the act, poses an issue for accountability and transparency, as it does not provide enough information for oversight or understanding the rationale behind the bill. (Section 1).

Sections

Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.

1. Short title Read Opens in new tab

Summary AI

The section provides the short title for the Act, stating that it can be referred to as the “Holcombe Rucker Park Landmark Act”.

2. Findings Read Opens in new tab

Summary AI

Congress acknowledges the significance of Holcombe Rucker Park in Manhattan, highlighting its role as an inspiration and education center for basketball talent, cultural diversity, and history in Harlem. The park, known for its streetball origins and hosting iconic tournaments and players, has been a platform for promoting social justice, racial equality, and entertainment, influencing basketball culture worldwide.

3. National Commemorative Site Read Opens in new tab

Summary AI

Holcombe Rucker Park in Harlem, New York, has been designated as the "Holcombe Rucker Park National Commemorative Site," but this designation does not make it part of the National Park System. The designation also does not limit property owners' rights or change how the site is managed by New York City or the State of New York.