Lummis Heart Mountain Bill Clears House

Statement

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 3989, the Heart Mountain Relocation Center Study Act. U.S. Representative Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), the sponsor of H.R. 3989, released the following statement after the bill passed by voice vote:

"House passage of the Heart Mountain Relocation Center Study Act is a significant victory for the people of northwest Wyoming who have made it their mission to preserve the historic landmarks at Heart Mountain and ensure future generations learn the important lessons of this era.

"Heart Mountain is a visible reminder of the injustices of a difficult time in our nation's history. H.R. 3989 serves as an opportunity to ensure this dark chapter in our country's past is never forgotten.

"I applaud Park County and its northwest Wyoming communities for their grassroots dedication and critical role in the passage of the Heart Mountain Relocation Center Study Act."

Background:

H.R. 3989 moves forward congressional authorization of a Special Resource Study (SRS) of Wyoming's Heart Mountain Relocation Center in Park County. The SRS examines long term management alternatives, including the possibility of Heart Mountain's designation as a National Park Service Historical Site. It also engages the public to include their vision for the future preservation and success of the site.

The area under question encompasses 123 acres, 73 of which are already owned by the federal government. The remaining 50 acres are owned by the Heart Mountain Wyoming Foundation.

The Heart Mountain Relocation Center, which operated from August 12, 1942 until November 10, 1945, held nearly 11,000 Japanese-American internees. While residing at the Relocation Center, internees set up systems for democratic governance, health care, education, farming, and community services. More than 750 internees served in the U.S. armed forces during World War II; 85 internees were imprisoned for resisting the draft.

Heart Mountain is one of 10 relocation camps. Although each camp has distinctive attributes, Heart Mountain has retained several original structures unique to its time.
Currently there are only two former internment camps that have been recognized as National Historic Sites by the NPS. They are Idaho's Minidoka National Historic Site and California's Manazar National Historic Site.

Source