Durbin Introduces Legislation To Create National Historic Park In Honor Of Julius Rosenwald

09.19.24

Durbin Introduces Legislation To Create National Historic Park In Honor Of Julius Rosenwald

The legislation would establish a Rosenwald Schools National Historic Park network with locations in Chicago and Maryland in honor of Julius Rosenwald

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today introduced the Julius Rosenwald and Rosenwald Schools National Historical Park Act, legislation to establish a Rosenwald Schools National Historic Park network with locations in both Chicago and Maryland in honor of Julius Rosenwald. The legislation would also require the U.S. National Park Service (NPS) to provide information on the life and legacy of Rosenwald at his boyhood home in Springfield, Illinois, which is already part of the Lincoln Home National Historic Site.

Son of German Jewish immigrants, Julius Rosenwald made Sears, Roebuck and Company the retail powerhouse of the 20th century, and he used his wealth to fund his philanthropic efforts. During the Jim Crow era, Rosenwald partnered with the Tuskegee Institute, Booker T. Washington, and nearly 5,000 Black communities in the South to build schools, across 15 states, for children without educational opportunities. A total of 5,357 Rosenwald School facilities were constructed, educating one-third of Black Americans in the South, including alumni Congressman John Lewis, Medgar Evers, and Maya Angelou.

"Julius Rosenwald, a Springfield native, was influential in narrowing the wide gap in educational opportunities for Black children during the Jim Crow era. His philanthropic efforts led to the construction of more than 5,300 schools dedicated to teaching Black youth in the South," said Durbin. "I'm introducing this legislation to preserve the story of these Rosenwald schools and ensure that modern-day Americans can learn from the life and legacy of Julius Rosenwald and the revered alumni of his schools, including the late John Lewis."

If passed, the bill would establish a Chicago site that encompasses portions of the 40-acre site that once made up the Sears merchandising complex. The second site would be located at the San Domingo School in Wicomico County, Maryland.

Today's legislation builds on Durbin's now-passed Julius Rosenwald and the Rosenwald Schools Act, which required NPS to conduct a Special Resource Study (SRS) on the life and legacy of Rosenwald and his schools.

U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Cory Booker (D-NJ) are cosponsors of this legislation.

In March, Durbin led his colleagues in sending a letter to President Biden urging him to employ his authority under the Antiquities Act to create a national monument in honor of Julius Rosenwald.

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