Ralph David Abernathy, Sr., National Historic Site Act
- Bill Number
- S. 2102
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Public Lands and Natural Resources
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-03-04: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
- Last Updated
- 2026-03-24T12:48:03Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
This bill aims to create the Ralph David Abernathy, Sr., National Historic Site in Georgia as part of the National Park System. The site would preserve and interpret the West Hunter Street Baptist Church—where Reverend Dr. Ralph David Abernathy, Sr., served as pastor during the peak of the civil rights movement—and highlight his role as a key civil rights leader, for the education and benefit of current and future generations.
Key Provisions
- Establishment: The Secretary of the Interior (head of the Department of the Interior, which oversees national parks) will establish the site once enough land or property interests are acquired to make it workable. A notice of establishment must be published in the Federal Register within 30 days of that decision.
- Boundaries and Map: The site's boundaries follow a specific map (titled "Ralph David Abernathy, Sr. National Historic Site Proposed Boundary," dated August 2022), which will be available for public review at National Park Service offices.
- Land Acquisition: The Secretary can obtain land within the boundaries through:
- Donations.
- Purchases from willing sellers using donated or federal funds.
- Exchanges of land.
- State or local government land can only be acquired via donation (no purchase or exchange).
- Administration: The site will be managed like other national parks, following general National Park System laws on preservation, public use, and operations (e.g., rules for protecting resources and providing visitor access under Title 54 of the U.S. Code).
- Management Plan: Within three years of funding availability, the Secretary must develop a detailed plan for the site's operations, including resource protection and visitor services.
- Agreements for Support: The Secretary can partner with Georgia or other groups through agreements for educational and interpretive activities, such as signage, exhibits, tours, technology displays, parking, and preservation efforts, even outside the site's boundaries.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This legislation adds a new unit to the National Park System, expanding the network of protected historic sites focused on American history. It does not amend existing laws but incorporates standard National Park System rules (e.g., from Title 54, U.S. Code) for administration, creating a dedicated framework for this specific site's preservation and public interpretation. No prior national historic site exists for Dr. Abernathy, so this introduces novel protections for his legacy and the associated church.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: The National Park Service (under the Department of the Interior) will gain responsibility for acquiring, managing, and funding the site, potentially increasing operational costs but also enhancing its portfolio of civil rights-related historic sites. This could involve coordination with state and local governments for land and support.
- Citizens: It promotes public access to preserved civil rights history, fostering education on key figures like Dr. Abernathy (a close ally of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.) through tours, exhibits, and programs. Local communities in Georgia may see tourism boosts, economic benefits from visitors, and strengthened cultural heritage.
- International Relations: No direct impacts; the bill focuses on domestic historical preservation without foreign policy elements.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- National Park Service and Department of the Interior: Primary administrators responsible for establishment, land acquisition, and ongoing management.
- State of Georgia and Local Entities: Involved in potential land donations and cooperative agreements; benefits from preservation of state historical assets like the West Hunter Street Baptist Church in Atlanta.
- Civil Rights Organizations and Descendants: Groups honoring Dr. Abernathy's legacy (e.g., through the Southern Christian Leadership Conference he co-founded) may collaborate on interpretation and education.
- General Public and Visitors: Gain access to educational resources on civil rights history, with potential for broader awareness and tourism in the area.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Ensures compliance with federal land management laws by limiting acquisitions to voluntary methods (e.g., no eminent domain), respecting property rights. The site's integration into the National Park System provides strong federal protections against development or neglect.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's authority under the Property Clause (Article IV, Section 3) to manage federal lands and promote historical preservation, without raising First Amendment or other rights concerns.
- Political: Highlights bipartisan support for civil rights commemoration (introduced by Senators from Georgia), potentially advancing national reconciliation and education on the civil rights era. It could inspire similar sites for other underrepresented historical figures, though funding depends on congressional appropriations.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Sen. Warnock, Raphael G. [D-GA]
Recent Actions
- 2026-03-04: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
- 2025-06-17: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- 2025-06-17: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Ralph David Abernathy, Sr., National Historic Site Act — issued 2025-06-17 — PDF (5 pages)