Mount Rushmore Protection Act This bill prohibits the use of any federal funds to alter, change, destroy, or remove any name, face, or other feature on the Mount Rushmore National Memorial in South Dakota and designates Mount Rushmore.
If passed, HB386 would solidify the designation of Mount Rushmore, ensuring that it is preserved against any federal actions that might seek to modify its features, which supporters argue could be influenced by changing political or social sentiments. The bill aims to prevent any alterations that could compromise the memorial's iconic status or its historical representation. This could have significant implications for local governance and heritage preservation efforts, as it places the authority of protection squarely at the federal level, potentially sidelining local interests.
House Bill 386, known as the Mount Rushmore Protection Act, seeks to establish stringent protections for the Mount Rushmore National Memorial by prohibiting the use of any federal funds to alter, change, destroy, or remove any aspect of the memorial, including its names, faces, or other features. The bill is introduced with the intent to maintain the historical integrity and significance of this national landmark, which is recognized as America's Shrine of Democracy. The memorial features the carved likenesses of four U.S. Presidents—George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln—and is a reflection of American history and values.
While the bill emphasizes the need for federal protection of a revered national monument, it may not come without controversy. Critics might argue that such federal mandates could bypass local desires for recognizing or contextualizing the memorial in light of contemporary discussions on representation and history. There could be significant debate around the appropriateness of restricting changes to the memorial, especially as public opinion and societal values evolve. The legislative discussions may reflect tensions between valuing historic preservation and acknowledging the complexities of the figures represented.