Bill · H.R. 8887· House(119-HR-8887)
Julius Rosenwald and Rosenwald Schools National Historical Park Act
- Introduced
- 5/19/2026
- Last activity
- 5/19/2026 — Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- Sponsored by
- Danny Davis
- Cosponsors
- - 6 - 1
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill seeks to establish the Julius Rosenwald and Rosenwald Schools National Historical Park. The legislation aims to commemorate the life of philanthropist Julius Rosenwald and the impact of the Rosenwald Schools on African American education. The park would include specific school sites in Maryland, South Carolina, and Virginia, along with a headquarters near the former Sears Merchandising Complex in Chicago. Additionally, the bill creates the Rosenwald Schools National Network to connect various sites and disseminate the history of these schools throughout the country. The Secretary of the Interior is tasked with administering the park and managing this new network.
Yes· 3 of 23
Would Black Americans be better off under this?+9
Directly commemorates the educational legacy and civil rights impact of Rosenwald Schools for African Americans.
Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated?+7
The bill honors the history of African American education and recognizes the contributions of civil rights leaders.
Would students be better off under this?+5
Creates educational resources and sites dedicated to the history of education.
The opposite
Does this reduce what the federal government owes?-1
The bill authorizes federal spending for land acquisition and park administration, which slightly increases government expenditure.
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?-1
The bill authorizes the use of appropriated funds for park establishment and grants.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Preservation of History: The bill establishes a park to preserve representative sites of the Rosen0wald Schools, such as the San Domingo School, the Saint George Rosenwald School, and the Woodville Rosenwald School (Section 2(1)(A) and Section 4(b)(1)).
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Educational Enrichment: The creation of a headquarters and visitor center is intended to enlighten visitors on the legacy of Julius Rosenwald and how the Rosenwald Schools improved African American education (Section 2(1)(A) and Section 2(2)(A)).
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Support for Educational Programs: Through the Rosenwald Schools National Network, the Secretary can provide assistance and enter into cooperative agreements to support educational and interpretive programs (Section 5(b)(3) and Section 5(d)).
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Historical Connectivity: The establishment of a National Network aims to connect remaining Rosenwald Schools to more fully share their story throughout the United States (Section 2(3)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Strict Acquisition Limits: For the San Domingo School in Maryland, the Secretary is restricted from acquiring the property through standard federal means, limiting acquisition only to donation, purchase with donated funds, or exchange (Section 4(a)(5)(C)).
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Financial Reimbursement Risk: If a project receives funds for preservation but later converts, uses, or disposes of that property for purposes inconsistent with the bill, the United States has the right to seek reimbursement for the full amount of the funds or the increase in the project's value (Section 4(a)(4)(B)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For African Americans+9Good For Students+5Good For Rural Residents+3Good For Urban Residents+3Good For Children+2Good For Immigrants+2Good For Low Income Households+2Good For Young Adults+2Good For Business Owners+1Good For High Income Households+1Good For Men+1Good For Middle Aged+1Good For Middle Class Households+1Good For Retirees+1Good For Seniors+1Good For White Americans+1Good For Women+1
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Public Land Management+4Improves Rural Development+3
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Racial Equity+7
- Economy And Finance
- Increases Job Creation+2Improves Economic Growth+1Reduces Government Spending-1Reduces National Debt-1
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+1
- 7/20/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 7/9/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/8/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 5/19/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Julia BrownleyDemocrat · California
James ClyburnDemocrat · South Carolina
Steve CohenDemocrat · Tennessee
Sarah ElfrethDemocrat · Maryland
Eleanor NortonDemocrat · District of Columbia
Joe NeguseDemocrat · Colorado
Robert WittmanRepublican · Virginia