Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1022, ``Buffalo Soldiers in the National Parks Study Act.'' This bill directs the Secretary of the Interior to study alternatives for the commemoration and interpretation of the role of the Buffalo Soldiers in the early years of the national parks.
America's national parks are a treasure of nature's magnificent wonders--84 million acres of the most stunning landscapes anyone has ever seen. The story of the national parks is the story of people from every conceivable background who were willing to devote themselves to saving a portion of the land they loved. Among them were Buffalo Soldiers.
Our country began the arduous task of rebuilding itself after a brutal civil war. In this war former slaves fought in Union regiments to pursue the ultimate goal to end slavery. These Black soldiers were later used in 1866, when Congress created six segregated regiments that ultimately became four black regiments that later became known as the original Buffalo Soldiers. Because of prevailing attitudes following the Civil War, these soldiers could only serve west of the Mississippi River. Their main charge was to protect settlers as they moved west and to support building the infrastructure needed for new settlements to flourish.
Buffalo Soldiers conducted campaigns against American Indian tribes on a western frontier that extended from Montana in the northwest to Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona in the southwest. They engaged in several clashes against such great Indian Chiefs as Victorio, Geronimo, and Nana.
``Buffalo Soldiers'' was the name given the black cavalrymen by the Plains Indians. Reason for the name is uncertain. One view is that the Indians saw a resemblance between the black man's hair and the mane of a buffalo. Another view is that when a buffalo was wounded or cornered, it fought ferociously, displaying unusual stamina and courage. This was the same fighting spirit Indians saw in combat with black cavalrymen. Since Indians held the buffalo in such high regard, it was felt that the name was not given in contempt.
Those Buffalo Soldiers not only fought in conflicts along the western frontier, but they were indispensible in the treacherous and desolate trails of the Wild West. They helped protect and build up our new country as it expanded west. They built roads. They protected new territories where they escorted settlers, cattle herds, and railroad crews, while battling Mexican revolutionaries, outlaws, rustlers and hostile Native American tribes. The Buffalo Soldiers were the protectors of the western frontier.
Buffalo Soldiers played a central role in protecting national parks--Yosemite, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. They were, in fact, our national parks' first ``guardians.'' These Soldiers kept the park free from poachers and from the ranchers whose grazing sheep destroyed the parks' natural habitats. They built roads, including the first wagon road into the Giant Forest of Sequoia.
At a time when most of the country would not recognize their humanity, these brave patriots stood up to fight and protect a country that was just as much theirs as any other American. And I think it is fitting and symbolic that at a time when our Nation was rebuilding itself after being torn apart, it was former slaves and children of former slaves--Buffalo Soldiers--that rebuilt and protected our new and expanding country.
As our country progresses, there will continue to be sites of historic and cultural significance that need to be added to the national park system. Commemorating and interpreting the role of the Buffalo Soldiers in the early years of the national parks will ensure the historical contributions of the Buffalo Soldiers will always be remembered. Celebrating the role of Buffalo Soldiers serves to interpret, articulate, collect, display and preserve historical artifacts, documents, and other historical memorabilia relating to these brave men.
It is America's mandate to acknowledge and reflect America's diverse stories. The story of Buffalo Soldiers is an underrepresented cultural theme in our national parks. Commemorating Buffalo Soldiers in the history of the nation's national parks is a step in the right direction. It reflects our cultural heritage and ensures their stories are told for our children and grandchildren to enjoy throughout posterity.
At this time I would also like to take a moment to thank a special Legislative Fellow in my office, Byron McKie. He has been working diligently to enhance the opportunities of children through STEM education.