Wire Story
Congressional delegation proposes federal aid to ‘Bleeding Kansas’ history sites
By Logan C. Adams
Scripps Howard Foundation Wire
WASHINGTON - Twenty-four eastern Kansas counties would become eligible for money to preserve historic sites and educate people about state history, under a bill before a Senate subcommittee.
The national parks subcommittee of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources heard testimony Tuesday about “The Bleeding Kansas National Heritage Area Act,” which refers to pre-Civil War battles in the state.
Sen. Sam Brownback and Rep. Jim Ryun, both R-Kan., introduced the bill with the backing of the entire Kansas congressional delegation.
The act is designed to give National Park Service funding to parts of Kansas where events shaped American history. Examples include the violent conflict that occurred in the territory before and during the Civil War on the issue of slavery and the Supreme Court case that ended school segregation, Brown v. Topeka Board of Education.
Brownback said the state has much to be proud of in its history. “We will ensure that this magnificent legacy lives on and serves as a stirring reminder of the sacrifices and triumphs that created this nation,” he said in a prepared statement.
The bill would apply to Allen, Anderson, Bourbon, Cherokee, Clay, Coffey, Crawford, Douglas, Franklin, Geary, Johnson, Labette, Leavenworth, Linn, Miami, Neosho, Pottawatomie, Riley, Shawnee, Wabaunsee, Wilson, Woodson and Wyandotte counties. In the future it could include parts of Missouri and other Kansas counties.
The bill would authorize up to $10 million over 10 years and requires a minimum 50 percent local match.
J. Peyton Knight, of the American Land Rights Association, said Heritage Areas waste money. He said they never develop the local funding to be self-sufficient and continue to take more federal funding. He called them a “40-year old ‘child’ still living in mommy and daddy’s basement.”
“Someday, they swear, they’ll grow up and move out on their own,” he said. “Yet that day never comes.”
By Logan C. Adams
Scripps Howard Foundation Wire
WASHINGTON - Twenty-four eastern Kansas counties would become eligible for money to preserve historic sites and educate people about state history, under a bill before a Senate subcommittee.
The national parks subcommittee of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources heard testimony Tuesday about “The Bleeding Kansas National Heritage Area Act,” which refers to pre-Civil War battles in the state.
Sen. Sam Brownback and Rep. Jim Ryun, both R-Kan., introduced the bill with the backing of the entire Kansas congressional delegation.
The act is designed to give National Park Service funding to parts of Kansas where events shaped American history. Examples include the violent conflict that occurred in the territory before and during the Civil War on the issue of slavery and the Supreme Court case that ended school segregation, Brown v. Topeka Board of Education.
Brownback said the state has much to be proud of in its history. “We will ensure that this magnificent legacy lives on and serves as a stirring reminder of the sacrifices and triumphs that created this nation,” he said in a prepared statement.
The bill would apply to Allen, Anderson, Bourbon, Cherokee, Clay, Coffey, Crawford, Douglas, Franklin, Geary, Johnson, Labette, Leavenworth, Linn, Miami, Neosho, Pottawatomie, Riley, Shawnee, Wabaunsee, Wilson, Woodson and Wyandotte counties. In the future it could include parts of Missouri and other Kansas counties.
The bill would authorize up to $10 million over 10 years and requires a minimum 50 percent local match.
J. Peyton Knight, of the American Land Rights Association, said Heritage Areas waste money. He said they never develop the local funding to be self-sufficient and continue to take more federal funding. He called them a “40-year old ‘child’ still living in mommy and daddy’s basement.”
“Someday, they swear, they’ll grow up and move out on their own,” he said. “Yet that day never comes.”
posted by Logan C. Adams at 3/23/2005 05:52:00 PM
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