This week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed three Republican bills under suspension of the rules. House Committee on Natural Resources Ranking Member Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) issued the following statement in response:

"I'm happy to see these Republican priorities move through the House this week. Congressman LaHood's bill honors the inspiring story of Frank McWorter and conserves New Philadelphia, Illinois, the first town founded by a free African American before the Civil War. Congressman Buchanan's bill will authorize a study of the Little Manatee River to determine its eligibility for the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. Finally, the Senate companion to Congressman Tony Gonzales' bill supports conservation of the historic Blackwell School site and will help future generations learn about the period of segregated education in Texas."

Background

In total, the House passed seven Natural Resources Committee bills, including:

• H.R. 820, the New Philadelphia National Historical Site Act, sponsored by U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood (R-Ill.), establishes the New Philadelphia Historical Site in Illinois as a unit of the National Park System.
• H.R. 4358, the Little Manatee Wild and Scenic River Act, sponsored by U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.), studies a specified segment of the Little Manatee River in Florida for potential inclusion as a component of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.
• S. 2490, the Blackwell School National Historic Site Act, sponsored by U.S. Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas),establishes the Blackwell School National Historic Site in Texas as a unit of the National Park System.