ECA Update: December 4, 2014 - Manhattan Project Park Bill Passed!
Published: Thu, 12/04/14
House Passes Manhattan Project Park Legislation
Earlier this afternoon, the House of Representatives approved legislation creating the Manhattan Project National Historical Park. The legislation was included as part of this year's National Defense Authorization Act which was announced on Tuesday. The House overwhelmingly passed the legislation by a vote of 300-119; the bill now moves to the Senate where it is expected to be approved.
The Manhattan National Project Historical Park will include sites at Oak Ridge, Tenn., Los Alamos, N.M., and Hanford, Wash.
The original legislation creating the park was introduced by Sen. Alexander and Sen. Maria Cantwell of Washington and filed in the House by Rep. Fleischmann. It was shepherded through the House with the strong support of Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings who has devoted the remainder of his time in Congress to ensuring the National Park becomes a reality this congress.
The park is being created to protect resources associated with the Manhattan Project for the purposes of improving public access and understanding of the historic program. The National Historical Park is set to be established within 1 year of the enactment of the NDAA and is slated to include facilities in Oak Ridge, Los Alamos, and Hanford.
Section 3039 creating the park can be found on page 1245 of the NDAA.
The Joint Explanatory Statement can be found here.
Press Release: House Passes Legislation to Preserve Manhattan Project Sites as National Historical Park
For Immediate Release: December 4, 2014
Energy Communities Alliance (ECA) is pleased to announce that today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which includes a provision to establish the Manhattan Project National Historical Park. ECA applauds the House vote, and looks forward to the Senate vote to create this important Park. The legislation would establish the Manhattan Project National Historical Park in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, Los Alamos, New Mexico, and Hanford, Washington. In 2012, ECA Executive Board members testified on previously introduced bills to establish the Park. With the House passage of the NDAA, the Park is one step closer to becoming a reality.
ECA Vice-Chair and Mayor of Kennewick, WA, Steve Young said, "We are thrilled to see this step toward making the new National Park a reality. There's no question that the story of the Manhattan Project and the contributions of the men and women who supported it are of high interest to the American public. This creates a real opportunity for our communities to share our collective history while realizing the benefits of the heritage tourism industry a National Park is likely to create."
ECA Treasurer, Los Alamos County (NM) Councilor Kristin Henderson stated, "The Manhattan Project Historical Park is culmination of hard work both in the communities and nationally. We appreciate the leadership of our Senators and Congressional Members to ensure that the important history of World War II and the Manhattan Project is preserved."
ECA Secretary, Roane County (TN) Executive Ron Woody added, "The Manhattan Project National Historical Park is about giving current and future generations a better understanding of this indisputable turning point in world history. It is easy for those of us who live in the communities of Oak Ridge, Los Alamos and the Tri-Cities to say that the Manhattan Project changed the world. The Manhattan Project is an incredible story that deserves to be told."
ECA Chair, Aiken County (SC) Councilman Chuck Smith remarked, "All of our energy communities support the Manhattan Project National Historical Park, as it teaches the lessons of America and identifies an important moment in our history."
"ECA and its member communities have worked for almost ten years to see the creation of Manhattan Project Park Legislation. The leadership of the local governments and their Congressional Members along with DOE and NPS has made this a reality. The real winners are the communities and the thousands of hardworking men and women at Los Alamos, Oak Ridge and Hanford that helped bring an end to World War II and the future generations that will learn about their contribution to our country," added ECA Executive Director Seth Kirshenberg.
ECA is the non-profit organization of local governments which host or are adjacent to DOE sites. For further information contact Allison Finelli, Deputy Executive Director of ECA at 202-828-2423 or Allison@energyca.org.
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