ECA Update: December 12, 2014 - Manhattan Project Park Legislation Clears Senate!
Published: Fri, 12/12/14
Moments ago, the Senate passed this year's National Defense Authorization Act, approving language creating the Manhattan Project National Historical Park! The vote was 89-11. The bill now heads to the President's desk for his signature; he is expected to sign it quickly, likely within the next 10 days. The Park will include sites at Hanford, WA, Oak Ridge, TN, and Los Alamos, NM.
Shortly after passage of the bill, the Hanford Communities issued a press release celebrating the passage of the bill.
ECA Vice Chair and Kennewick Mayor Steve Young said, "We believe that it is important for future generations to understand the amazing accomplishments of residents of our communities that brought World War II to an end."
Past ECA Chair and Chair of the Hanford Communities Board Robert Thompson said, "We have been fortunate to have committed members of Congress who took the lead in getting the study of a potential park undertaken and introducing legislation to make the park a reality. Senators Cantwell and Murray are to be commended for the tremendous effort they personally made to get the bill passed in the Senate. Congressman Hastings introduced the bill in the House and as chair of the Natural Resources Committee he and his staff have worked tirelessly in support of the bill. He told us last fall that he intended to get the legislation passed before retiring from congress and he delivered on that promise."
ECA would like to thank everyone involved in this tremendous effort. Every contribution, from those who testified before Congress on the legislation to individual community members who called and wrote letters their representatives, helped make this moment possible. The bill - and soon to be law - stipulates that the park be opened within one year. ECA will continue to bring you more information as we go forward. |
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