Fort Ontario Holocaust Refugee Shelter National Historical Park Establishment Act
The passage of HB1031 would result in the formal recognition and protection of Fort Ontario as a national historical park, which would be administered by the Secretary of the Interior. The bill stipulates that the Secretary shall work towards completing a management plan for the park within three fiscal years of the bill's enactment. This plan will guide the preservation, interpretation, and operation of the park, emphasizing the significance of Fort Ontario in relation to Holocaust history and its role in providing refuge during a critical period of global conflict.
House Bill 1031, titled the 'Fort Ontario Holocaust Refugee Shelter National Historical Park Establishment Act,' aims to establish a new unit of the National Park System in New York dedicated to preserving and interpreting the history of Fort Ontario. This fort served as a shelter for 982 Jewish Holocaust refugees from August 1944 until February 1946. The bill seeks to ensure that the stories of these individuals and their experiences during World War II are preserved for future generations. The establishment of this site is intended to provide educational opportunities and foster a deeper understanding of this historical period.
Key points of contention around the bill may include discussions on the logistic challenges related to the acquisition of land necessary to establish the park. The Secretary is permitted to acquire land either through donation, purchase, or exchange, but any state-owned land must be donated. Additionally, the timing of establishing the park is contingent upon the Secretary’s determination that adequate land for a manageable park unit has been secured. As such, the bill not only requires political support but also effective collaboration with various stakeholders to realize its objectives.