Congressman DeSaulnier and Richmond Mayor Butt to Testify before Natural Resources Subcommittee on Bill to Honor Wartime Efforts of Richmond Community

Washington, DC -Today, Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (CA-11) announced he will testify before the U.S. Committee on Natural Resources' Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands (NPFPL) on his bill, the Rosie the Riveter National Historic Site Expansion Act (H.R. 1117). The legislation would honor wartime efforts of the Richmond community by adding the Nystrom Elementary School in Richmond, California to the existing Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historical Park.

Joining him in testifying about the importance of this bill is Richmond Mayor Tom Butt. An advocate for historic preservation in the city of Richmond, Mayor Butt serves on the board of the Rosie the Riveter Trust and was instrumental in establishing Richmond's partnership position with the Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historical Park.

WHO:
U.S. Congressman Mark DeSaulnier
Mayor Tom Butt

WHAT:
Testimony before Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands on the Rosie the Riveter National Historic Site Expansion Act (H.R. 1117)

WHEN:
Tuesday, December 7th
7:30 a.m. PT

LINK: https://youtu.be/anLmObjGAy8

"Richmond and West Contra Costa played a pivotal role in our nation's efforts in World War II. We owe it to the families who helped write that history to share their stories. Expanding the park to include the Nystrom School, which was built to teach the children of shipyard workers, will help tell the story of the East Bay's role in the war," said Congressman DeSaulnier.

Built during World War II to accommodate the large number of families that moved to Richmond to work at the Kaiser Shipyards, Nystrom Elementary School sits just north of the current historical park. Nystrom was built as part of a planned development that includes the Maritime Child Development Center, which has already been preserved as part of the park, as well as the Nystrom Housing Area, which has been scheduled for future preservation and redevelopment by the city of Richmond. By expanding the Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historical Park to include this historic site, visitors will have the opportunity to learn about the Nystrom School, which was constructed in 1942 to accommodate the influx of school-age children of shipyard workers. Congressional approval of this addition is required by the law that created the Historical Park. The legislative hearing is a key procedural step in passing the bill into law.