March, 09 2011, 04:04pm EDT
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Alan Spears, (202) 454-3384 office or
Lindsay Bartsh, (415) 989-9921 x22 office
Parks Group Supports Study to Honor Buffalo Soldiers
Statement by NPCA Legislative Representative Alan Spears
WASHINGTON
"The National Parks Conservation Association is happy to support Rep. Speier's legislation, The Buffalo Soldiers in the National Parks Study Act, to determine how the Buffalo Soldier's story should be represented within the National Park System."
"The African-American troops who came to be known as the Buffalo Soldiers played a central role in protecting Yosemite, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks; they were, in fact, our national parks' first "guardians". These Soldiers were in essence park rangers, constructing roads, creating maps, extinguishing fires, and preventing poachers and loggers from exploiting the parks."
"As our country evolves, there will continue to be sites of historic and cultural significance that need to be added to the National Park System, if it is to fulfill its mandate of reflecting America's diverse stories. The Administration's recently-introduced America's Great Outdoors initiative provides an opportunity for considering which cultural themes might be underrepresented in our parks. "
"A site commemorating the Buffalo Soldiers is a first step toward reflecting our cultural heritage. We look forward to working with Rep. Speier to ensure our stories are told for our children and grandchildren to enjoy."
NPCA is a non-profit, private organization dedicated to protecting, preserving, and enhancing the U.S. National Park System.
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