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Legislative bills

Senate Passes Legislation to Establish Amache National Historic Site as Part of National Park System

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

In a historic move, the U.S. Senate has passed legislation to establish the Amache National Historic Site, a former Japanese American incarceration facility outside of Granada, Colorado, as part of the National Park System. The bill, introduced by Senators John Hickenlooper and Michael Bennet, and Representatives Joe Neguse and Ken Buck, aims to preserve the site's story and prevent history from repeating itself. The legislation now awaits the President's signature to become law.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Amache National Historic Site Act was introduced in early 2021 by Representatives Joe Neguse and Ken Buck in the U.S. House of Representatives, and later introduced in the U.S. Senate by Senators John Hickenlooper and Michael Bennet.
  • The bill passed the House with a vote of 416-2 in July 2021, and was later passed by the Senate.
  • The legislation aims to preserve the site's story and honor the survivors and descendants of Amache.
  • Senator Hickenlooper stated that interning Japanese-Americans at Camp Amache is a "dark stain on our past" and elevating Amache to a National Historic Site will preserve the survivors' stories.
  • Senator Bennet said the bill will preserve Amache's story to ensure future generations can learn from this dark chapter in our history.
  • Representative Neguse noted that the Amache National Historic Site Act is a prime example of local leadership at work, with community leaders, descendants, and advocates coming together to support the designation and preservation of the Amache site.
  • Representative Buck stated that the bill recognizes the awful injustices committed against Japanese Americans who were placed in internment camps, while preserving the site for citizens to visit and learn from in the future.

Statistics:

  • The bill was introduced in early 2021.
  • The amended bill passed the House of Representatives with a vote of 416-2 in July 2021.
  • The bill now awaits the President's signature to become law.

Sources:

  • Office of the Senator John Hickenlooper
  • Office of the Representative Joe Neguse
  • Office of the Representative Ken Buck
  • Office of the Senator Michael Bennet

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