NATIONAL CENTER OF AFRO-AMERICAN

HISTORY AND CULTURE ACT

FRIDAY, MAY 2, 1980

U.S. SENATE,

COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS,

Washington, D.C.

The committee met at 10:10 a.m., in room 3302, Dirksen Senate Office Building, Hon. John Glenn presiding.

Present: Senator Glenn.

Senator GLENN. The hearings will be in order.

Some of the people who are going to be here this morning have been delayed in their arrival. I know Congressman Brown is on the way back from Chicago. He will be here shortly. His plane was late. We have several other people who will be here shortly, but we will go ahead and start with the people who are here.

OPENING STATEMENT OF SENATOR GLENN

Senator GLENN. This hearing is on S. 1814, to provide for a National Afro-American History and Culture Commission to establish the National Center of Afro-American History and Culture. The bill also would establish a national historic site in Wilberforce, Ohio.

The choice of Wilberforce, Ohio, both for the Center for the Study of Afro-American History and Culture and for the Historic Site, is certainly no accident. Wilberforce is an historic name and historic place in the development of Afro-American culture in the United States of America. Wilberforce was founded by former slaves and freedmen. The community remains, to this day, a major center of Afro-American culture, a truly remarkable center of higher learning for black Americans, including Wilberforce University, Central State University, and Payne Theological Seminary. Wilberforce was the Ohio terminus of the Underground Railway, a haven for runaway slaves, the home of a number of outstanding Americans, and a religious center.

It is more than a decade since the grassroots effort began in Greene County both to commemorate the great contributions made to this country by the Afro-American culture and to mark the importance in the development of that culture by the village of Wilberforce.

Eight years ago that effort led to the passage by the Ohio General Assembly of legislation establishing, at the State level, the National Museum of Afro-American History and Culture Planning Council, responsible for advising the Ohio Historical Society on the establishment of such a museum.

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To date, the Ohio General Assembly has appropriated $3.5 million toward the goal of establishing, in Wilberforce, just such a museum or center of scholarship on the development of the AfroAmerican culture in the United States and its contributions to the overall fabric of this country. Another $5 million appropriation is now pending in our State capital in Columbus, Ohio.

In 1976 we succeeded in the enactment of Public Law 94-518, which directed the Secretary of the Interior to study the feasibility and suitability of establishing a National Museum of Afro-American History and Culture in or near Wilberforce. That study was completed, concluding that Wilberforce does, indeed, represent a feasible and suitable site for such a facility. Various alternatives were offered, leading eventually to the introduction of S. 1814 by both Ohio Senators, and H.R. 4450 by Congressman Clarence Brown who represents the Seventh District of Ohio where Wilberforce is located.

It may be that Congressman Brown and I are going to hear today that our joint legislation is not perfect or ideal. Then this hearing will also be productive in working toward improvements by eliciting ideas and suggestions.

Although we don't have all of the people here this morning, I would like to go ahead and proceed with those who are here with the purpose of shaping and defining legislation which will help lead to an appropriate response to the efforts begun in the Wilberforce community and supported without objection throughout Greene County and by many groups interested in the objectives of this center or Museum of Afro-American History and Culture. I also have here a statement for the committee to be entered in the record by Senator Howard Metzenbaum, my colleague. That will be entered in the record also.

[The statement of Senator Metzenbaum follows:]

STATEMENT OF SENATOR HOWARD M. METZENBAUM

Mr. Chairman, as a co-sponsor of S. 1814, it is a great pleasure for me to testify in support of this bill to create a commission charged with developing a Center for Afro-American History and Culture in Wilberforce, Ohio. This bill is the culmination of over ten years of effort to create a facility at a uniquely appropriate location to preserve for future generations the moving and inspiring story of the African experience in America.

A Center for Afro-American History and Culture will provide millions of Americans of all racial, ethnic and cultural backgrounds a unique opportunity to recognize and to understand the vital role that Afro-Americans have played in shaping this nation's history and culture. And a Center will also provide to scholars and researchers a centralized facility dedicated to the preservation and study of AfroAmerican genealogy, art, memorabilia, and artifacts.

Mr. Chairman, it is very appropriate that an institution paying homage to black America be located in Wilberforce, Ohio. Wilberforce is geographically located in the heartland of the country-over half of the nation's population resides within a day's drive-and Wilberforce itself is a place of special importance to black Ameri

cans.

Wilberforce, which was named in honor of the English bishop who led the successful crusade to abolish slavery in the British Empire, was an early center for abolitionist activity and a major terminus for the underground railroad. Through Wilberforce and other centers like it passed thousands of blacks who risked their lives for freedom. The home of Wilberforce's Colonel Charles Young, one of West Point's earliest black graduates, was a particularly noteworthy haven for runaway slaves.

In 1856, Wilberforce became the site of the first university organized by and for black Americans. Today, Wilberforce University continues to flourish as a center of higher learning and excellence for black Americans.

Also located in Wilberforce are Central State University and Payne Theological Seminary, which for more than 100 years have provided outstanding educational opportunities for black Americans from all parts of our country.

Mr. Chairman, the proposed Center for Afro-American History and Culture in Wilberforce, Ohio has the total support of the many interested and affected parties. The state of Ohio, the Ohio Historical Society, Greene County officials, the Regional Planning Commission, university officials, and the NAACP have all worked diligently for the creation of the Center in Wilberforce.

Year after year, Ohio's Representatives in the House and Senate have introduced legislation aimed at creating a facility to preserve and promote the unique AfroAmerican heritage. In 1976, the Congress mandated the National Park Service to study the feasibility of establishing such a center in Wilberforce. And last year, the Park Service study concluded that the Wilberforce area was indeed a suitable and accessible location for a national center.

S. 1814, which I have joined Senator Glenn in sponsoring, will bring us closer to the realization of this long-awaited Center for Afro-American History and Culture. This bill will achieve two objectives. It will authorize the Secretary of the Interior to acquire the Colonel Young home and adjacent lands for a site to be known as the "Wilberforce National Historic Site." And it will establish a 29 member commission, composed of public and private citizens, to develop within two years a specific and detailed plan for the "National Center of History and Culture" at Wilberforce. Mr. Chairman, the legislation before us today embodies an opportunity to preserve and further explore one of the most important themes in our common national heritage. I urge the Committee to favorably report S. 1814 to the full Senate. I thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Senator GLENN. Mr. Tobin I believe is here, correct?

Mr. Tobin, if you could come to the witness table, please.

Maybe we can hold up a moment. Congressman Brown has just stepped in the door, so we can start off in the order which we had originally planned, if the Congressman can catch his breath.

Congressman Brown, we had decided, since some other witnesses were here and ready to go, we would go ahead and get their testimony and pick yours up when you came in. But we are happy to have you as our lead-off witness.

Congressman Brown has worked on the establishment of this center for a long time. He has taken a key role in it. We have worked closely together on this. We are glad to have him as our lead-off witness this morning. We welcome any statement you wish to make.

TESTIMONY OF HON. CLARENCE J. BROWN, REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF OHIO

Representative BROWN. Senator Glenn, good morning. Mr. Chairman, thank you for the opportunity to appear before this hearing. It is indeed a pleasure for me to be here to discuss with you a subject so dear to my heart and I know yours, the creation of a National Center of Afro-American History and Culture.

As you know, I have submitted my remarks in the record and will summarize them so my good friends from the Wilberforce community may speak for themselves on this issue.

Senator GLENN. Your entire statement will be entered into the record following your testimony.

Representative BROWN. The establishment of an Afro-American Center at Wilberforce is an absolute and long overdue necessity. I first introduced the legislation to establish a National Museum of Black History and Culture in early 1968 in an effort to focus attention on the importance of the contribution of black Americans to the development of American culture.

This Nation's ability to recognize, understand and pay tribute to the great achievement made by Americans of African heritage will be greatly enhanced by the establishment of this center. I am convinced that our Nation needs this institution. Knowledge of all our past will produce the enlightenment that will promote change without further suffering and confrontation. God knows there has already been enough suffering and confrontation to last us all. The bill before this committee, S. 1814, which Senator Glenn and I drafted, establishes the commission composed of distinguished Americans representing the black, historic and cultural communities' at interest throughout the United States. This commission would also establish a National Center of Afro-American History and Culture at Wilberforce University. This center would be a national repository of history and culture, a research institute, and an exhibition for visitors and serious students. It would provide representative and significant samples of what Afro-Americans have built out of clay, stone, metal, and wood.

It would also illustrate what Afro-Americans have built of themselves. It would be a place where all Americans could see and feel the efforts of a single race.

It would develop programs and exhibits that express major aspects of Afro-American history and culture: psychological, physiological, spiritual, social, and economic. The center's staff would have the responsibility to present the results of research through the most effective techniques available.

Finally, the center would be tasked with developing plans and programs that will enhance and strengthen the existing network of museums across the country that display the cultural and historic contributions of black Americans.

Mr. Chairman, I urge the committee to favorably consider this important measure which is so critically needed and so long overdue.

In the interest of time, I won't present the longer testimony but would be happy to remain, Senator, while the issue is considered and would be happy to respond to any questions that you or others may have.

Senator GLENN. Good. I have no questions. We would be happy if you could join us this morning and be with us here to question the witnesses, if you would like. We have a group who will be here this morning.

[The prepared statement of Congressman Brown follows:]