{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://sewell.house.gov/2022/7/rep-sewell-s-legislation-create-black-belt-national-heritage-area-passes", "Rep. Sewell\u2019s Legislation to Create the Black Belt National Heritage Area Passes the House of Representatives", "2022-07-19", "2022", "2022-07", "Democrat", "House", "AL", "Terri A. Sewell", "S001185", "sewell.house.gov", "sewell", "https://sewell.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) announced that her bill, H.R. 3222, the Black Belt National Heritage Area Act, passed the House of Representatives. Introduced by Sewell in May 2021, this legislation would designate areas within the 19 counties in Alabama\u2019s Black Belt as a National Heritage Area. Through public-private partnerships, National Heritage Areas are able to leverage funding for long-term projects that have substantial economic and environmental benefits. The Black Belt National Heritage Area Act passed the House by an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote of 365-57 and will now make its way to the U.S. Senate.\n\n\u201cI\u2019m thrilled to announce that the House has passed my bill to create the Black Belt National Heritage Area!\u201d celebrated Rep. Sewell. \u201cAs the birthplace of the Civil Rights and Voting Rights movements, the Black Belt is where some of the most consequential chapters of American history played out. This designation will not only help preserve the rich history of the region, but will also open up new economic and tourism opportunities. As a proud daughter of the Black Belt, I thank my colleagues for passing this critical bill and will continue working to get it signed into law.\u201d\n\nNational Heritage Areas are established by Congress for the purpose of assisting efforts to protect and promote communities that are regarded as distinctive because of their culture, history, resources, and environment. These historic areas are authorized to receive up to $1 million in federal funding annually to preserve, protect and promote important sites. Under the Alabama Black Belt National Heritage Area Act, the University of West Alabama would collaborate with the National Park Service and Black Belt communities to determine a strategic management plan.\n\n\u201cThe story of Alabama\u2019s Black Belt could not be more relevant with ongoing conversations exploring the multifaceted aspects of our country\u2019s past, present and future. For Alabama\u2019s Black Belt with its famously rich soils and landscapes have had a profound impact on the culture, history and politics of this country. Through designation as a National Heritage Area, we can shine a spotlight on these stories and bring them to prominence and ensure that future generations cannot only learn but appreciate our shared heritage. Designation is also important in that it helps us continue to build local capacity through shared resources. Our grassroots organizations have been steadfast supporters of this effort, and we are thankful for Congresswoman Sewell and Senator Shelby\u2019s leadership in moving this legislation forward,\u201d said Dr. Tina Naremore Jones, Vice President of the Division of Economics Workforce Development at the University of West Alabama.\n\n\u201cBy calling for an Alabama Black Belt National Heritage Area, Congresswoman Terri Sewell and Senator Richard Shelby have taken a stand for centuries of rich Alabama history and breathtaking Southern lands and waters, including the last remaining prairie east of the Mississippi River,\u201d said Emily Jones, Southeast Regional Director for The National Parks Conservation Association. \u201cThe Alabama Black Belt was named for its soil, but this region has also served as fertile ground for Black history and the Civil Rights Movement. Civil rights leaders like John Lewis put blood, sweat, and tears into their work to organize and register Black voters here in the 1960s. Now more than ever, it\u2019s imperative that we honor their contributions to the ongoing fight for the American right to vote.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:49:02Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://sewell.house.gov/2022/7/rep-sewell-s-legislation-create-black-belt-national-heritage-area-passes"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.6668008863925934, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}