{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.gillibrand.senate.gov/news/press/release/gillibrand-schumer-pass-legislation-to-cement-saratoga-battlefields-legacy/", "Gillibrand, Schumer Pass Legislation To Cement Saratoga Battlefield\u2019s Legacy", "2026-09-29", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "Senate", "NY", "Kirsten E. Gillibrand", "G000555", "www.gillibrand.senate.gov", "gillibrand", "https://www.gillibrand.senate.gov/press-releases/page/", "scraper", "Legislation Would Rename Historic Site \u201cSaratoga National Battlefield Park\u201d\n\nToday, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) announced congressional passage of the bipartisan Strengthening America\u2019s Turning Point Act. This legislation would officially redesignate Saratoga National Historical Park as Saratoga National Battlefield Park, more accurately reflecting its pivotal role in the Revolutionary War.\n\nRepresentatives Elise Stefanik (R-NY) and Paul Tonko (D-NY) led the legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives, where it passed last year. The bill now heads to the president\u2019s desk.\n\n\u201cSaratoga Battlefield is a source of pride for the Capital Region and a symbol of the patriotism, sacrifice, and resilience that built our country,\u201d said Senator Gillibrand. \u201cThe Battles of Saratoga were the turning point of the American Revolution and monumental events in world history, marking the first time that a British army laid down their arms. This name change reflects the historic significance of the battles and honors the sacrifice of those who fought for our nation\u2019s founding.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Battles of Saratoga were the turning point of the American Revolution. I\u2019m proud to announce that legislation renaming the historical park \u2018Saratoga National Battlefield Park\u2019 has just passed the Senate and will be signed into law,\u201d said Senator Schumer. \u201cThis new name provides important context and reflects the significance of the battlefield as a turning point for the Revolutionary War. As we celebrate America\u2019s 250th anniversary this year, and get ready for the 250th anniversary of the Battles of Saratoga next year, honoring the heart of New York\u2019s Revolutionary War history is key to ensuring America\u2019s history lives on.\u201d\n\n\u201cThis summer, as we celebrated our nation\u2019s 250thbirthday, I was reminded once again of the pivotal role our Capital Region played in America\u2019s fight for freedom and independence,\u201d said Rep. Tonko. \u201cNow, as we approach the 250thanniversary of the Battles of Saratoga, I\u2019m thrilled to celebrate the passage through the Senate of the Strengthening America\u2019s Turning Point Act. The designation of \u2018Saratoga National Battlefield Park\u2019 will help accurately reflect the importance of this national historic site, boosting local tourism and fostering a greater appreciation for our region\u2019s historic heritage among locals and visitors alike. I was proud last year to lead this legislation through the House, and I\u2019m eager now to see it signed into law.\u201d\n\nThe Saratoga National Historical Park is the site of the 1777 Battles of Saratoga, which were some of the first significant American victories over the British army during the Revolutionary War. The battles were called a \u201cturning point\u201d and helped to convince the French to ally with the American colonies. New York State began to preserve the site in 1927. In 1938, Congress passed a law to designate the park as a unit of the National Park System, naming it the \u201cSaratoga National Historical Park.\u201d\n\nLocal New York stakeholders have advocated to change the park\u2019s name ahead of the battles\u2019 250th anniversary to more accurately reflect its significance as a battlefield. In 2024, the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors unanimously adopted a resolution requesting that Congress and the National Park Service change the name. This legislation would finalize this change.\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-30T10:57:52Z", "2026-09-30T10:59:04Z"]], "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://www.gillibrand.senate.gov/news/press/release/gillibrand-schumer-pass-legislation-to-cement-saratoga-battlefields-legacy/"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.767546869814396, "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"}