Should the Brown v Board of Education National Historic Site also include the other four schools that were involved in the Supreme Court case?

Education
Brown v. Board of Education Historic Site Expansion Act (S. 270)
This bill has Passed both chambers of Congress
Bill Summary

Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site Expansion Act This bill expands the Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site currently located in Topeka, Kansas, to include additional sites in Clarendon County, South Carolina, and establishes as affiliated areas specified sites in Farmville, Virginia; Wilmington and Hockessin, Delaware; and the District of Columbia. Sponsor: Sen. Christopher Coons (Democrat, Delaware)
View full bill text ➔

How do you feel?

You can still save your opinion to your scorecard, but since the vote has already taken place, your opinion won't be sent to your lawmakers.
Oppose Support

Opponents say

•     "Adding more land to the federal estate is irresponsible when the government is failing to maintain the parks, forests and grazing lands it currently owns. Rather than using the conservation fund to acquire more land, Congress should use the money to help address the deferred maintenance backlog."

Source: Reed Watson (The Property and Environment Research Center)


•     "The budget for the parks themselves is only $1.36 billion. The remaining annual funds of their budget goes toward a multitude of activities, including affiliated areas, grant programs, research centers, administrative expenses, and additional land acquisition….I would make the point, and I think most commonsense Americans would make the point, before we add additional parks, we ought to be taking care of the parks we have. We ought to privatize what our jewels are."

Source: Sen. Tom Cobrun (Republican, Oklahoma)


Proponents say

•     "Our nation is forever indebted to those involved in the five cases that made up Brown v. Board of Education. The struggle and perseverance of those who fought for educational equality changed the lives of countless Americans and led the way for the many Civil Rights Activists who followed….This bill will help ensure that the story of Briggs v. Elliot—as well as the other cases that culminated in the Brown decision—will be told and remembered for years to come. I look forward to my Senate colleagues supporting this bill."

Source: Sen. Tim Scott (Republican, South Carolina) 


•     "In order to change our future, we must confront our past….The preservation of historic sites connected to the Supreme Court case, Brown v. Board of Education, is an important step in remembering the painful but significant impact the doctrine of separate but equal had on our nation…. I’m honored to introduce this legislation in the Senate which will preserve and share this important history."

Source: Sen. Christopher Coons (Democrat, Delaware) 


•     "I am honored to represent Summerton, South Carolina, where the first case that eventually ended the practice of legal segregation, Briggs v. Elliott, originated, and I knew many of the plaintiffs in that case.  The unsung heroes of Briggs v. Elliott, and all the other plaintiffs that collectively became Brown v. Board of Education, must be remembered and memorialized to fully tell the story of how segregation ended in our nation’s public schools."

Source: Rep. Jim Clyburn (Democrat, South Carolina, District 6)

Further Reading
−  Less Information

IssueVoter is a non-partisan civic engagement platform.

Sign up to make your voice count before laws pass and keep your lawmaker accountable.

  • Get alerts about bills before they pass.
  • See summaries, pros/cons, and recent news for each bill.
  • Send your opinion in 1-click.
  • Track your rep’s activity year-round.
  • Make a more informed decision at election time.
Register