Richard Durbin (D-IL)
Julius Rosenwald and Rosenwald Schools National Historical Park Act
A Democratic bill with 8 Democratic cosponsors · See all 8 cosponsors
Last activity — Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks. Hearings held.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill proposes the establishment of the Julius Rosenwald and Rosenwald Schools National Historical Park. The park aims to commemorate the life of philanthropist Julius Rosenwald and the impact of the Rosenwald Schools on African American education. It includes specific historic school sites in Maryland, South Carolina, and Virginia, along with a headquarters near the former Sears Merchandising Complex in Chicago. Additionally, the Act creates a Rosenwald Schools National Network within the National Park Service to connect various remaining school sites. The legislation seeks to preserve these locations and disseminate the history of Rosenwald's social justice legacy.
Yes· 3 of 6
- Scored +8
Would Black Americans be better off under this?
The bill directly commemorates and preserves significant historical educational sites for the African American community.
- Scored +7
Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated?
The bill preserves and commemorates the history of Rosenwald Schools which were critical to African American education and social justice.
- Scored +5
Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests?
The bill establishes a new unit within the National Park System for historical preservation.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Commemoration of Historical Legacy: The bill seeks to honor the life of Julius Rosenwald, his philanthropic work, and the impact of the Rosen Rosenwald Schools on African American education (Section 2).
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Preservation of Historic Sites: The Act provides for the preservation of specific representative sites, such as the San Domingo School, the Saint George Rosenwald School, and the Woodville Rosenwald School (Section 2 and Section 4).
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Educational Enrichment: Through the establishment of a National Historical Park and a National Network, the bill aims to enlighten visitors and disseminate the story of how the Rosenwald Schools improved education and contributed to a more democratic society (Section 2 and Section 5).
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Support for Local Preservation: The Secretary may enter into cooperative agreements to provide assistance for the preservation of non-Federal land and related sites through signage, exhibits, and technology (Section 4).
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Grant Opportunities: The Rosenwald Schools National Network will have the authority to provide grants to various elements within the network (Section 5).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Land Acquisition Requirements: The establishment of the Park is subject to the Secretary determining that a sufficient quantity of land or interests in land has been acquired to constitute a manageable unit (Section 4).
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Restricted Acquisition Methods: For the San Domingo School in Maryland, the Secretary is limited to acquiring the property only through donation, purchase with donated funds, or exchange (Section 4).
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Financial Reimbursement Risks: If a project funded by the Secretary is converted, used, or disposed of for purposes inconsistent with the Act, the United States has the right to seek reimbursement for the funds provided or the increased value of the project (Section 4).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would Black Americans be better off under this? — The bill directly commemorates and preserves significant historical educational sites for the African American community. Would people in cities be better off under this? — The establishment of the park includes a headquarters and visitor center near Chicago. Would students be better off under this? — The bill preserves the history of institutions that significantly shaped African American education.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The bill preserves and commemorates the history of Rosenwald Schools which were critical to African American education and social justice.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests? — The bill establishes a new unit within the National Park System for historical preservation.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill expands the National Park System through federal land acquisition and administration.
- 7/22/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/21/2026
- Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks. Hearings held.
- 2/25/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- 7 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Angela AlsobrooksDemocrat · Maryland
Richard BlumenthalDemocrat · Connecticut
Cory BookerDemocrat · New Jersey
Tammy DuckworthDemocrat · Illinois
Timothy KaineDemocrat · Virginia
Chris Van HollenDemocrat · Maryland
Sheldon WhitehouseDemocrat · Rhode Island
Mark WarnerDemocrat · Virginia