{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-clyburn-blunt-rochester-carey-introduce-the-renewing-the-african-american-civil-rights-network-act/", "Scott, Clyburn, Blunt Rochester, Carey introduce the Renewing the African American Civil Rights Network Act", "2026-06-12", "2026", "2026-06", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Today, U.S. Senators Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.) and Congressmen James E. Clyburn (D-S.C.-06) and Mike Carey (R-Ohio-15) introduced the Renewing the African American Civil Rights Network Act to reauthorize the African American Civil Rights Network (AACRN) for 10 years.\n\n\u201cThe African American Civil Rights Network not only helps preserve our nation\u2019s history but also strengthens our local economies through cultural tourism,\u201d said Sen. Scott. \u201cAs home to the largest share of AACRN sites in the country, South Carolina proves the immense value of reauthorizing this program. We must make sure future generations can walk these historic grounds, learn from our past, and continue striving for a future where the promise of the American Dream is within reach for all.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe importance of this legislation is embodied in that one word \u2014 network,\u201d said Rep. Clyburn. \u201cToday, South Carolina\u2019s top economic engines are transportation and tourism. And the fastest growing aspect of tourism is Heritage tourism. This legislation is pivotal because it involves a network of 29 states that designate sites for visitation that will grow the economy most especially in rural communities. These sites encapsulate the challenges and triumphs of African Americans\u2019 ongoing journey towards a more perfect Union. We must reauthorize this effort so we can continue telling America\u2019s full history.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe African American Civil Rights Network Act of 2017 cemented the historic Civil Rights Movement\u2019s legacy in communities across the country. Now, as we celebrate America\u2019s 250th anniversary, this is a moment to further reflect on how the movement shaped our nation,\u201d said Sen. Blunt Rochester. \u201cI\u2019m proud to lead the bipartisan African American Civil Rights Network Reauthorization Act alongside Senator Scott, Congressman Clyburn, and Congressman Carey to continue preserving our nation\u2019s history and honor the Americans who led an era of change.\u201d\n\n\u201cAs we celebrate the 250th anniversary of our great country, we must focus on preserving our history for future generations of Americans,\u201d said Rep. Carey. \u201cPreserving the stories and sites of the civil rights movement in Ohio and across the country will ensure that future generations have a better understanding of our nation\u2019s rich history and the ongoing pursuit of equality for all Americans, all while increasing tourism and economic activity in our communities. I would like to thank Congressman Clyburn for his leadership on this important legislation and am proud to join him in this effort.\u201d\n\n\u201cTrust for Public Land applauds Congressman Jim Clyburn, Congressman Mike Carey, Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester, and Senator Tim Scott for their outstanding leadership and diligent efforts to connect Americans to our shared history, as evidenced today through the introduction of the Renewing the African American Civil Rights Network Act,\u201d said Dr. Jocelyn Imani, director of Black History and Culture at Trust for Public Land. \u201cThis legislation will enable the continuation of this vital National Park Service program, linking together the people, places, and moments from the African American Civil Rights movement and preserving and sharing this monumental chapter of our nation\u2019s history. As we reflect on the enduring pursuit of those self-evident truths first penned in our Declaration of Independence 250 years ago, we urge Congress to advance and pass this important legislation.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe National Trust for Historic Preservation\u2019s Action Fund and its partners are proud to stand in solidarity with organizations across the African American Civil Rights Network (AACRN) in affirming that sustained support for this National Park Service program is critical to preserving a powerful and uniquely American legacy for future generations. The AACRN is a vital network of preservation partners committed to telling the full story of America\u2019s civil rights journey,\u201d said Brent Leggs, executive director of the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund and strategic advisor to the CEO of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. \u201cWe applaud the bipartisan leadership of Representatives Jim Clyburn (D-SC) and Mike Carey (R-OH) and Senators Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE) and Tim Scott (R-SC) in sponsoring this critical legislation, and we urge Congress to reauthorize the AACRN program to enable continued advancement of its mission.\u201d\n\nFull text of the legislation can be found here.\n\nBackground\n\nThe Renewing the African American Civil Rights Network Act would reauthorize the AACRN and provide resources to support the preservation, education, and tourism at sites that played a key role in the Civil Rights Movement nationwide.\n\nAACRN is managed by the National Park Service (NPS) and was established to consolidate nationally significant civil rights sites under a single organization.\n\nThe existence of a formal network strengthens the visibility of member sites and helps to amplify tourism and local economies through technical assistance and information sharing facilitated by the National Park Service.\n\nThe program has 213 members located across the United States, and 25 of them are in South Carolina, the largest share of network members of any state.\n\n###", 1, "2026-06-13T06:32:19Z", "2026-06-13T06:34:27Z"]], "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.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-clyburn-blunt-rochester-carey-introduce-the-renewing-the-african-american-civil-rights-network-act/"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 2.033851109445095, "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"}