H.R. 8012

Jackie Robinson Commemorative Site Act

STATEMENT OF MICHAEL A. CALDWELL, ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, PARK PLANNING, FACILITIES AND LANDS, NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, BEFORE THE HOUSE NATURAL RESOURCES SUBCOMMITTEE ON FEDERAL LANDS, REGARDING H.R. 8012 TO ESTABLISH THE JACKIE ROBINSON BALLPARK NATIONAL COMMEMORATIVE SITE IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

July 9, 2024

Chairman Tiffany, Ranking Member Neguse, and members of the Subcommittee, thank you for the opportunity to present the Department of the Interior’s views on H.R. 8012, a bill to establish Jackie Robinson Ballpark National Commemorative Site in the state of Florida, and for other purposes.

The Department views the achievements and legacy of Jackie Robinson as an important and inspiring story in our nation’s history and supports authorizing a special resource study of the Jackie Robinson Ballpark in Daytona Beach, Florida, as provided for in H.R. 8012. The Department recommends deferring action on designating the ballpark as a national commemorative site until after the special resource study is completed and recommendations for preservation and interpretation of the site are submitted to Congress. We also recommend pursuing inclusion of the site on the African American Civil Rights Network through the previously authorized administrative process, rather than adding it through H.R. 8012.

H.R. 8012 would designate Jackie Robinson Ballpark as a national commemorative site. The bill would also add the site to the African American Civil Rights Network, a program managed by the National Park Service (NPS). Additionally, the bill would authorize a special resource study of the Jackie Robinson Ballpark to assess its national significance, suitability, and feasibility for establishment as a unit of the National Park System, and consider alternatives for preservation, protection, and interpretation of the Site by Federal, State, or local government entities, or private and nonprofit organizations.

Jackie Robinson, the son of South Georgia sharecroppers, made history by breaking the race barrier in Major League Baseball (MLB) as the first African American to play in a regularly scheduled MLB professional game in the modern era. On March 17, 1946, he played his first exhibition game at Daytona Beach’s City Island Ball Park in Florida. His remarkable performance, including a stolen base and a run scored, captured the nation’s attention. Robinson challenged segregation in both presence and performance and paved the way for racial integration in the national sport of baseball. He went on to win the National League’s pennant and Rookie of the Year honors and became the first African American player inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. His legacy transcended the sport of baseball, and he continued to serve as an ardent civil rights activist until his death in 1972.

In 1990, the City Island Ball Park, along with the associated ball field and grandstand, was renamed Jackie Robinson Ball Park – a tribute to his impact on baseball and the nation’s fight for racial equality.

The special resource study authorized by H.R. 8012 would provide an opportunity for the NPS to evaluate the Jackie Robinson Ballpark for its potential for inclusion in the National Park System, consider alternatives for preservation, protection, and interpretation of the site by federal, state, or local government entities, or private and nonprofit organizations, and report these findings to Congress. Designating the site as a national commemorative site prior to completing the study would be premature. A special resource study would provide valuable information in determining how best to designate and manage the ballpark to recognize Jackie Robinson and his legacy.

Furthermore, the Department has concerns about the use of the term, “national commemorative site,” since the term has no definition by law or custom and the public may be confused about its significance. The NPS is aware of only three examples where Congress has used this designation: the Quindaro Townsite National Commemorative Site in Kansas, the Kennedy-King National Commemorative Site in Indiana, and the Charleston High School National Commemorative Site in Arkansas. The NPS recommends that Congress define the term along with a programmatic context prior to designating any new national commemorative sites.

Additionally, legislative designation of the Jackie Robinson Ballpark as part of the African American Civil Rights Network would circumvent an established administrative process that ensures that all nominated properties meet the network’s criteria.

The Department recommends amending H.R. 8012 to authorize a special resource study to be completed within three years of funding being made available, rather than two. We would be happy to work with the Committee and the sponsor on amendment language.

Mr. Chairman, this concludes my statement. I would be pleased to answer any questions that you or other members of the Committee might have.