Overview
Title
To establish the Historic Greenwood District-Black Wall Street National Monument in the State of Oklahoma, and for other purposes.
ELI5 AI
This bill wants to make a special place in Oklahoma to remember and tell the story of a historic neighborhood, called Black Wall Street, and a sad event that happened in 1921.
Summary AI
H.R. 9259 aims to create the Historic Greenwood District—Black Wall Street National Monument in Oklahoma as part of the National Park System. This monument will preserve and interpret the history of the Greenwood District, Black Wall Street, and the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921. The bill allows the Secretary of the Interior to acquire land for the monument and enter cooperative agreements for its management, ensuring respect for private property rights. Additionally, it establishes an advisory commission to guide the monument's development and manage its operations, which will include descendants of those connected to the 1921 events.
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AnalysisAI
Summary of the Bill
The proposed bill, titled the Historic Greenwood District—Black Wall Street National Monument Establishment Act, seeks to create a National Monument in the Greenwood District of Tulsa, Oklahoma. This monument aims to honor and preserve the history of Black Wall Street, the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, and their significance in both Oklahoma and United States history. The legislation outlines the establishment, administration, and management of the monument by the Secretary of the Interior, the ability to acquire land for the monument, and engagement with the local community through an advisory commission.
Summary of Significant Issues
Several significant issues arise from the bill’s provisions:
Commission Composition: The advisory commission is structured to have a majority of its members as descendants of individuals who were in the district during the 1921 events. This could lead to concerns about impartiality and lack of diverse perspectives in decision-making.
Acquisition Authority: The bill allows the Secretary to acquire land within the monument boundaries through various means without clear constraints or criteria, which could result in uncontrolled spending.
Complex Definition of "Descendant": The bill's criteria for identifying descendants are detailed and may place a burden on individuals to gather extensive genealogical evidence, potentially excluding those without access to such records.
Travel Expenses for Commission Members: While commission members serve without pay, the provision for travel expenses could lead to inefficient use of funds if not carefully monitored.
Clarity on "The Secretary": There is potential ambiguity in references to “the Secretary,” which should clearly specify the Department of the Interior to avoid confusion.
Map Boundary Ambiguity: The text lacks specific details about the precise boundaries of the monument, which could lead to disputes or misunderstandings later.
Transparency of the Advisory Commission: The exemption from the Federal Advisory Committee Act might lower transparency and public oversight, raising concerns about accountability.
Impact on the Public
Broadly, the bill aims to preserve an important historical site, potentially benefiting educational and cultural understanding across the United States. By formalizing the memorialization of Black Wall Street and the Tulsa Race Massacre, the bill could promote awareness of racial injustice and contribute to healing and reconciliation.
However, the complexity of the requirements for lineage verification could limit broad public participation or involvement. The spending concerns raised by acquisition and commission operations might also provoke public scrutiny about financial responsibility.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
Positive Impacts
Descendants and the Black Community: For descendants and the Black community, this bill represents a significant acknowledgment of their history and contributions, which can serve as a restorative measure.
Educators and Historians: This bill provides an invaluable resource for educators and historians looking to explore and teach about Black Wall Street's impact on American history.
Negative Impacts
Nearby Property Owners: While the bill notes no change to the rights of adjacent private property owners, regulatory uncertainties or disputes over boundaries might negatively impact local stakeholders.
Members of the Advisory Commission: Those serving without compensation might face personal financial burdens if travel costs and commitments surpass allowances or convenience.
The potential lack of transparency might also stir criticism regarding the management of the monument and the extent to which diverse views are incorporated in the advisory process.
Ultimately, while the bill seeks to commemorate and preserve a critical piece of history, it must address the identified issues to ensure it serves its intended purpose effectively and inclusively.
Issues
The composition of the commission established under Section 5 allows for a significant majority of the members (7 out of 11) to be descendants, which might raise concerns about partiality or imbalance in the representation of diverse perspectives.
The language used in Section 3 regarding the 'Acquisition authority' is broad and allows for the acquisition of land through donation, purchase, or exchange without clear criteria or limits, which could potentially lead to excessive or unnecessary spending.
Section 2's definition of 'descendant' might be considered overly complex due to the detailed list of potential records for verification, potentially imposing a burden on individuals trying to prove their lineage and possibly excluding those without access to extensive records.
The provision of travel expenses for commission members in Section 5 could potentially lead to wasteful spending if not properly overseen, as members serve without compensation but are entitled to travel costs.
The text in Section 4 refers to 'the Secretary' without clearly specifying which department this refers to, which could be made clearer to avoid confusion.
The lack of specification in Section 3 regarding the exact boundaries or detailed description of 'the Map' could lead to future disputes or misunderstandings about the precise extent of the National Monument.
The exemption from the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) in Section 5 might reduce transparency and public oversight of the commission's activities.
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 Historic Greenwood District—Black Wall Street National Monument Establishment Act is introduced as the official title of this law.
2. Definitions Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section provides definitions for key terms used in the Act, including the "Commission," which refers to the advisory commission for the Historic Greenwood District; "Descendant," which describes someone who can prove a family connection to a Black person in the Greenwood District on May 31 or June 1, 1921, using various records; "Map," indicating a specific map of the proposed monument boundary; "National Monument," which is the Historic Greenwood District monument established by the Act; and "Secretary," meaning the Secretary of the Interior.
3. Establishment of Historic Greenwood District—Black Wall Street National Monument Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The Historic Greenwood District—Black Wall Street National Monument is established in Oklahoma to honor and preserve the history of the Greenwood District, Black Wall Street, and the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921. The Secretary can acquire land for the monument through donation, purchase, or exchange, and work with other entities for educational and administrative purposes. This act doesn't change the rights of private property owners near the monument or alter zoning laws.
4. Administration Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The Secretary is responsible for managing the National Monument while ensuring that Standpipe Hill remains under the control of Oklahoma State University and the Board of Regents. Additionally, the Secretary must work with Oklahoma State University to create a management plan for the Monument, consult with various stakeholders, and submit the plan to Congress within three years of receiving funds.
5. Establishment of historic greenwood district—black wall street national monument advisory commission Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section establishes the "Historic Greenwood District—Black Wall Street National Monument Advisory Commission," which is tasked with advising on the monument's development and management. The Commission will consist of 11 members appointed by the Secretary, will have a Chairman, and will not receive compensation, although travel expenses will be covered. It will last for 10 years from the establishment of the monument.