Maffei Invites President Obama to Visit the Harriet Tubman Home

Press Release

Representative Dan Maffei (D-NY) wrote a letter to President Barack Obama today inviting him to visit the Harriet Tubman Home in Auburn, NY. Earlier this year Maffei introduced a bill in the House of Representatives to establish a national historical park in honor of Harriet Tubman in Auburn. In the letter, Maffei asks the president to visit Auburn and support the Harriet Tubman National Historical Parks Act. If enacted, the bill would establish the first national park in honor of an African American Woman.

"I asked President Obama to come to Auburn and visit the Harriet Tubman Home," said Rep. Dan Maffei. "I hope the President will join our efforts to establish a national park in Auburn and support the Harriet Tubman National Historical Parks Act. This bill would establish the first national park in honor of an African American Woman. Not only will the Harriet Tubman National Historical Park educate future generations of Americans about her inspiring work and contribution to our country; it will also attract countless visitors to learn Central New York's rich history and help grow our region's emerging tourism economy. I hope the President will join our efforts to pass this legislation which is long overdue."

Background:

The Harriet Tubman National Historical Park would include several important historical structures in Auburn. They include Tubman's home, the Home for the Aged she established, the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Zion Church, and the Fort Hill Cemetery where she is buried.

The Cayuga County Office of Tourism estimates approximately 70 new jobs would be supported and tourism spending in Cayuga would increase by $3.12 million annually as a result of the bill.

The tourism industry currently provides $355.73 annual tax relief for every Cayuga County household. Relief would increase to $370 per household as a result of additional spending resulting from the legislation. Annual attendance would increase by an estimated 10,000 to 20,000 visitors per year as a result of the legislation, based on data from similar national parks.

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