Congressman Aderholt Cosponsors Trail of Tears Legislation

Congressman Aderholt Cosponsors Trail of Tears Legislation

"The recognition of additional routes of the Trail of Tears would bring historical and economical benefits to north Alabama," said Congressman Aderholt.

WASHINGTON, DC, June 29, 2005 -- Congressman Robert Aderholt (R-Haleyville) today, along with several members of the House, announced the introduction of the Cherokee Trail of Tears Documentation Act (H.R. 3085). This legislation would encourage the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a feasibility study in order to assess the suitability of adding trail segments, emigration depots, and land components currently missing along the historic trail. One of the additional routes, the Benge Route, runs through DeKalb County.

"The Trail of Tears is not a shining moment in our history. Nonetheless, it is part of our history, and recognition of the trail is important to understanding our past. This legislation would preserve history more accurately by recognizing more of the trail," said Congressman Aderholt.

"Many visitors travel to our area to see the historically significant sites. The Trail of Tears site will, likewise, play an important role in both history and commerce in north Alabama."

To show his support, Congressman Aderholt this morning joined in a press conference with the Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation Chadwick Smith, Vice Chief of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Nation C. Larry Blythe, the bill's sponsors, and other congressmen from every state along this historic trail.

The Trail of Tears National Historic Trail is operated and maintained by the National Park Service under the Department of Interior. To view the proposed routes in this bill, please go to the National Park Service's website at http://imgis.nps.gov/national_historic_trails.html.

http://aderholt.house.gov/HoR/AL04/Newsroom/News+Releases/2005/Trail+of+Tears+06-29-05.htm