119-hr1704

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 1704 Introduced in House

    (IH) ]

<DOC>

119th CONGRESS
 1st Session
 H. R. 1704

To amend title 54, United States Code, to establish within the National 
Park Service the National Freedom Settlements Preservation Program, and 
 for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

 February 27, 2025

Ms. Kamlager-Dove (for herself, Mr. Soto, Mr. Jackson of Illinois, Mrs. 
McIver, Mrs. Beatty, Mrs. Watson Coleman, and Ms. Brown) introduced the 
 following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural 
 Resources

_______________________________________________________________________

 A BILL

To amend title 54, United States Code, to establish within the National 
Park Service the National Freedom Settlements Preservation Program, and 
 for other purposes.

 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

 This Act may be cited as the ``Revitalizing and Empowering Freedom 
Settlements Through Opportunity, Resilience, and Education Act'' or the 
``RESTORE Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

 Congress finds the following:

    (1) After the Civil War, over 1,200 Freedmen's Settlements 
 and Black Towns were established throughout the United States 
 before and after emancipation, with at least 200 towns 
 established by formerly enslaved individuals between 1866 and 
 1930, creating safe, self-sustaining, and thriving communities 
 away from racial violence and economic discrimination.

    (2) Following the end of slavery, many African-American 
 families who strived for land and housing security established 
 their homes in Black Towns. These towns, founded and governed 
 by recently-emancipated African-American people across the 
 country, were known as Freedmen's Settlements, Freedom 
 Colonies, or Black Towns.

    (3) African Americans were often denied access to necessary 
 public systems, such as education, housing, and neighborhood 
 infrastructure. Across many areas of the United States, 
 African-American people were barred from utilizing these 
 services because of local segregating laws.

    (4) Freedmen's Settlements were established around the 
 provision of community services, often structured around 
 schools and churches, as Black residents came together to 
 fulfill necessary resources they had been previously denied.

    (5) Despite these communities being an example of African-
 American communities' self-sufficiency amidst a discriminatory 
 society, they were still terrorized by violent, White 
 supremacist groups which initially excluded them from White 
 systems.

    (6) Due to harsh circumstances which included violent 
 attacks, exclusion from water and sanitation systems, as well 
 as urban planning to remove Black Towns from railroads, many 
 Freedmen's Settlements, which are predominantly in rural areas, 
 are underdeveloped and lack accessibility due to many systemic 
 challenges.

    (7) Freedmen's Settlements have been disproportionately 
 impacted by economic and community underdevelopment, but have 
 the potential to become thriving communities with proper 
 support and investment that honors their rich history, meets 
 the current needs of their residents, and uplifts community 
 resilience and sustainable development.

    (8) Many of these Freedmen's Settlements and Black Towns 
 were destroyed by southern domestic terrorists, or otherwise 
 became impoverished by centuries of public and private 
 divestment. This includes uncompensated enslaved labor, failed 
 Reconstruction, and the unmet Freedmen's Bureau's 
 postemancipation promises to transition people who were 
 formerly enslaved into the American economy, Jim Crow laws, 
 economic and housing discrimination through redlining, public 
 housing, and transportation policies, and environmental racism. 
 Some towns withstood systemic racism and racial violence, and 
 serve as examples of community resilience.

    (9) It is difficult to fully quantify and understand the 
 history and current status of all the Freedmen's Settlements in 
 the United States due to lack of research and investment in 
 analyzing, preserving, and supporting these historic 
 settlements, towns, and communities, with a large part of this 
 history held by the descendants of the founders and residents.

    (10) A lack of accurate information is typical of African-
 American history following the Civil War, due to 
 disenfranchisement of African Americans from predominantly 
 White, institution-based documentation.

    (11) Freedmen's Settlements were often--
        (A) poorly recorded;
        (B) excluded from historical maps and databases;
            (C) recognized only through oral traditions and 
 community memory; and
            (D) suffered from the negative consequences of 
 systemic racism, such as the calculated exclusion from 
 crucial infrastructure like water systems or railroads.

    (12) Recognizing and providing resources for Freedman's 
 Settlements through Federal identification, designation of 
 historic status, comprehensive documentation, funding, and 
 physical commemoration would lead to greater equity and 
 investment in historically disadvantaged communities that have 
 faced centuries of racism, discrimination, environmental and 
 climate injustices, and violence.

    (13) A handful of former Freedmen's Settlements have 
 received State or local designation for their historic status, 
 offering them an opportunity for preservation and public 
 acknowledgment, such as the Freedmen's Town Historic District 
 in Houston, Texas.

    (14) There is an ongoing call, gaining much traction today, 
 to preserve and document the history of Freedmen's Settlements, 
 leading to projects such as the Texas Freedom Colonies Project, 
 the Mapping Blackness Project, as well as the Freedmen's Bureau 
 Search Portal created by the National Museum of African-
 American History and Culture, among others.

    (15) The presence and location of historic Freedmen's 
 Settlements should be recorded. There should be coordinated 
 national, State, local, and Tribal efforts to preserve and 
 restore Freedmen's Settlements.

    (16) Freedmen's Settlements are an integral component of 
 the heritage of the United States, and their preservation and 
 revitalization crucial for the communities themselves as well 
 as a more complete understanding of American history and the 
 ongoing struggle for racial equity. Establishing a program to 
 recognize previously underserved Freedmen's Settlements would 
 help communities identify and record these settlements, 
 preserve local history, and better inform development decisions 
 and community planning.

    (17) By investing in the preservation of Freedom 
 Settlements, which include Freedmen's Settlements, Freedom 
 Colonies, and Black Towns, the United States has an opportunity 
 to honor the legacy of self-determination and community-
 building that these settlements represent, while also creating 
 models for sustainable, equitable community development that 
 can inform broader efforts to address historical inequities and 
 build stronger, more inclusive communities across the Nation.

SEC. 3. NATIONAL FREEDOM SETTLEMENTS PRESERVATION PROGRAM.

 Division B of subtitle III of title 54, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following:

 ``CHAPTER 3092--NATIONAL FREEDOM SETTLEMENTS PRESERVATION PROGRAM

``309201. Definitions.
``309202. Purpose.
``309203. National Freedom Settlements Preservation Program.
``309204. Authority to award grants.
``309205. Freedom Settlements Study.
``309206. Registry.
``309207. Private Property Protection.
``309208. Cooperative agreements and memoranda of understanding.
``309209. Freedom Settlements Advisory Committee.
``

Sec. 309201. Definitions
 ``In this chapter:
 ``

    (1) Advisory committee.--The term `Advisory Committee' 
 means the Freedom Settlements Advisory Committee established 
 under 

section 309209.
 ``

    (2) Freedom settlement.--The term `Freedom Settlement' 
 means a community established by formerly enslaved African 
 Americans following emancipation (also commonly referred to as 
 `Freedmen's Settlements', `Freedom Colonies', or `Black 
 Towns').
 ``

    (3) Program.--The term `Program' means the National 
 Freedom Settlements Preservation Program established under 
 

section 309204.
 ``

    (4) Study.--The term `Study' means the study required 
 under 

section 309205.
``

Sec. 309202. Purpose
 ``The purpose of this chapter is to--
 ``

    (1) recognize the importance of Freedom Settlements, 
 including communities established by formerly enslaved people, 
 free African Americans, and their descendants, the sacrifices 
 made by those who used the Underground Railroad in search of 
 freedom, equality, and material security, and the vision of 
 Settlements founders; and
 ``

    (2) authorize the Secretary of the Interior to coordinate 
 and facilitate Federal and non-Federal activities to identify, 
 research, record, preserve, commemorate, honor, and interpret 
 the history of Freedom Settlements, their significance as a 
 crucial element in the evolution of African-American history, 
 and their relevance in fostering the spirit of racial justice 
 and wealth equality.
``

Sec. 309203. National Freedom Settlements Preservation Program
 ``

    (a) In General.--The Secretary shall establish within the Service 
a program to be known as the `National Freedom Settlements Preservation 
Program'.
 ``

    (b) Duties of Secretary.--In carrying out the Program, the 
Secretary shall develop a program for the provision of grants in 
accordance with 

section 309204

    (a) , in consultation with--
 ``

    (1) organizations, experts, and community leaders who 
 serve African-American communities;
 ``

    (2) organizations involved with Freedom Settlements; and
 ``

    (3) residents and descendants of residents of Freedom 
 Settlements.
 ``
            (c) Donations.--The Secretary may accept donations of funds, 
services, or property for the purposes of carrying out this chapter.
 ``
            (d) Consent of Private Property Owner Required.--Freedom 
Settlements may only be considered for a grant under the Program--
 ``

    (1) with the consent of the owner of the applicable 
 property; and
 ``

    (2) at the request of an individual, landowner, private 
 or nonprofit organization, State, Tribal, or local government, 
 or other entity.
 ``

    (e) Scope.--The Secretary may consider the following for 
inclusion in the Program:
 ``

    (1) All units and programs of the National Park Service 
 determined by the Secretary to pertain to Freedom Settlements.
 ``

    (2) Historic properties pertaining to Freedom 
 Settlements.
 ``

    (3) Other governmental and nongovernmental facilities and 
 programs of an educational, research, or interpretive nature 
 that are directly related to Freedom Settlements.
``

Sec. 309204. Authority to award grants
 ``

    (a) In General.--In carrying out the Program, the Secretary may 
award grants to eligible entities described in subsection

    (b)

    (1) for--
 ``

    (1) the identification of Freedom Settlements that may 
 qualify for the Program;
 ``

    (2) cultural and heritage preservation, restoration, and 
 tourism program development of Freedom Settlements;
 ``

    (3) related research and documentation of Freedom 
 Settlements;
 ``

    (4) capacity-building to operate and maintain recognized 
 Freedom Settlement sites; and
 ``

    (5) educational programming about Freedom Settlement 
 history.
 ``

    (b) Applications.--
 ``

    (1) Eligible entities.--Each of the following entities 
 are eligible for a grant under the Program:
 ``
        (A) A property owner of a property associated 
 with Freedom Settlements.
 ``
        (B) Tribal, State, or local governments.
 ``
            (C) Community organizations that have 
 demonstrated local leadership and a commitment to 
 community development.
 ``

    (2) Submission.--To be eligible for a grant under this 
 section, an eligible entity shall submit to the Secretary an 
 application at such time, in such manner, and containing such 
 information as the Secretary may require.
 ``
            (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section $3,000,000 for 
each of fiscal years 2026 through 2031.
``

Sec. 309205. Freedom Settlements Study
 ``

    (a) Study.--The Secretary shall conduct a study to identify key 
sites that--
 ``

    (1) illustrate the period in American history when 
 formerly enslaved African Americans established Freedom 
 Settlements to provide their communities with education, 
 security, and belonging which were previously denied under 
 slavery and discriminatory laws; and
 ``

    (2) may be suitable for inclusion in the Program.
 ``

    (b) Consultation.--The Study shall be conducted with public 
involvement and in consultation with--
 ``

    (1) the Advisory Committee;
 ``

    (2) State and local officials;
 ``

    (3) educational institutions; and
 ``

    (4) other interested organizations and individuals.
``

Sec. 309206. Registry
 ``The Secretary shall maintain and regularly update a comprehensive 
registry of Freedom Settlements, as they are identified and verified 
through the research and documentation process outlined in this 
chapter, including but not limited to historically documented 
settlements engaged in preservation efforts, such as--
 ``

    (1) Nicodemus, Kansas;
 ``

    (2) Africatown, Alabama;
 ``

    (3) Mound Bayou, Mississippi;
 ``

    (4) Eatonville, Florida;
 ``

    (5) Boley, Oklahoma;
 ``

    (6) Hobson City, Alabama;
 ``

    (7) Allensworth, California;
 ``

    (8) Freedmen's Town Historic District, Houston, Texas;
 ``

    (9) Independence Heights, Texas;
 ``

    (10) Mossville, Louisiana;
 ``

    (11) Oberlin Village, North Carolina;
 ``

    (12) Kinloch, Missouri;
 ``

    (13) New Philadelphia, Illinois;
 ``

    (14) Rosewood, Florida;
 ``

    (15) Weeksville, New York;
 ``

    (16) Freedman's Village, Arlington, Virginia;
 ``

    (17) Sandy Ground, New York;
 ``

    (18) Princeville, North Carolina;
 ``

    (19) Greenwood District (Black Wall Street), Tulsa, 
 Oklahoma; and
 ``

    (20) Freedmen's Town, Dallas, Texas.
``

Sec. 309207. Private Property Protection
 ``Nothing in this chapter--
 ``

    (1) authorizes the Secretary to require or affect the 
 management or use of private property without the written 
 consent of the owner of the private property; or
 ``

    (2) prohibits the Secretary from providing land 
 management guidance or requirements relating to private 
 property as a condition of a grant provided to the owner of the 
 private property under this chapter.
``

Sec. 309208. Cooperative agreements and memoranda of understanding
 ``The Secretary may enter into cooperative agreements and memoranda 
of understanding with, and provide technical assistance to, the heads 
of other Federal agencies, States, units of local government, Tribal 
governments, regional governmental bodies, African American-serving 
groups, residents and descendants of residents of Freedom Settlements, 
scholars of this specific history, and nonprofit organizations such as 
the Chisholm Legacy Project, Ubuntu Climate, and the Texas Freedom 
Colonies Project, educational institutions, and private entities--
 ``

    (1) to achieve the purposes of this chapter;
 ``

    (2) to facilitate cooperation with the Advisory 
 Committee; and
 ``

    (3) to ensure effective coordination of the Federal 
 elements and non-Federal elements provided a grant or other 
 assistance under the Program with System units and programs of 
 the Service.
``

Sec. 309209. Freedom Settlements Advisory Committee
 ``

    (a) In General.--In carrying out the Study under 

section 309205, 
the Secretary shall establish a committee to be known as the `Freedom 
Settlements Advisory Committee' to assist with the Study.
 ``

    (b) Composition.--The Advisory Committee shall be composed of 
members, appointed by the Secretary, who--
 ``

    (1) are residents or descendants of residents of Freedom 
 Settlements;
 ``

    (2) have demonstrated expertise in--
 ``
        (A) African-American history; or
 ``
        (B) Reconstruction or Jim Crow era history; or
 ``

    (3) are community leaders and advocates for African-
 American community heritage, preservation, and development.''.
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