Evaluating Lynching Locations (ELL) for National Park Sites Act
Bill: H.R.7912 | Sponsor: Rep. Cohen, Steve (D-TN)
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources

Summary:
Evaluating Lynching Locations (ELL) for National Park Sites Act
This bill directs the Department of the Interior to conduct a special resource study of sites within approximately 100 miles of Memphis, Tennessee, at which lynchings took place.
In conducting the special resource study, Interior shall (1) evaluate the national significance of such study area, and (2) determine the suitability and feasibility of designating the study area as a unit of the National Park System.

To direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resource 
 study to determine the suitability and feasibility of establishing a 
   network of locations associated with lynchings in the vicinity of 
       Memphis, Tennessee, as a unit of the National Park System.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Evaluating Lynching Locations (ELL) 
for National Park Sites Act''.

SEC. 2. SPECIAL RESOURCE STUDY OF LYNCHING LOCATIONS.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary shall conduct a special resource 
study of the study area.
    (b) Contents.--In conducting the special resource study under 
subsection (a), the Secretary shall--
            (1) evaluate the national significance of the study area;
            (2) determine the suitability and feasibility of 
        designating the study area as a unit of the National Park 
        System;
            (3) consider other alternatives for preservation, 
        protection, and interpretation of the study area by the Federal 
        Government, State or local government entities, or private and 
        nonprofit organizations;
            (4) consult with interested Federal agencies, State or 
        local governmental entities, private and nonprofit 
        organizations, or any other interested persons; and
            (5) identify cost estimates for any Federal acquisition, 
        development, interpretation, operation, and maintenance 
        associated with the alternatives.
    (c) Applicable Law.--The study required under subsection (a) shall 
be conducted in accordance with section 100507 of title 54, United 
States Code.
    (d) Report.--Not later than 3 years after the date on which funds 
are made available to carry out this Act, the Secretary shall submit to 
the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate a report 
that describes--
            (1) the results of the study; and
            (2) any recommendations of the Secretary.
    (e) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of the Interior.
            (2) Study area.--The term ``study area'' means sites within 
        approximately 100 miles of Memphis, Tennessee, at which 
        lynchings took place, including, but not limited to, the 
        lynching sites of--
                    (A) Wash Henley in 1869;
                    (B) Christopher Bender and Bud Whitfield in 1868;
                    (C) Thomas Moss, Will Stewart, and Calvin McDowell 
                in 1892 during the event referred to as ``The People's 
                Grocery Lynchings'';
                    (D) Lee Walker in 1893;
                    (E) Warner Williams, Daniel Hawkins, Robert Haynes, 
                Edward Hall, John Hayes, and Graham White in 1894;
                    (F) Ell Persons in 1917;
                    (G) Jesse Lee Bond in 1939; and
                    (H) Elbert Williams in 1940.
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