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119-s-3925119th Congress

Julius Rosenwald and Rosenwald Schools National Historical Park Act

Sponsored By: Senator Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]

In Committee

Summary

Creates the Julius Rosenwald and Rosenwald Schools National Historical Park to preserve Rosenwald schools and the Sears Roebuck complex as a multi-site unit of the National Park System. The park boundary would include the 40-acre Sears Roebuck complex in Chicago and selected Rosenwald School sites in Maryland, South Carolina, and Virginia, with Congress able to add other Rosenwald sites later.

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  • Visitors and families would get new interpretation, signage, exhibits, and technology-based displays that tell the Julius Rosenwald story, including his partnership with Booker T. Washington and the role of about 5,000 Southern communities.
  • State and local governments and private owners could enter cooperative agreements with the Secretary for interpretive and preservation help, and the Secretary may fund marking, restoration, and technical assistance with a right to reimbursement if a project is later converted to a different use.
  • The National Park Service would be allowed to acquire facades or easements, lease nearby space for visitor services, and acquire the San Domingo School only by donation, purchase with donated funds, or exchange. The Secretary would complete a general management plan within three fiscal years after funds first become available.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

New Rosenwald National Historical Park

If enacted, the bill would create the Julius Rosenwald and Rosenwald Schools National Historical Park once the Secretary says enough land or land interests are acquired and publishes that decision in the Federal Register. The park boundary would include the 40-acre Sears merchandising complex in Chicago and named Rosenwald Schools in Maryland, South Carolina, and Virginia. The Secretary would make a map available in National Park Service offices and must finish a general management plan within three fiscal years after funds are first provided. The Secretary could acquire a facade or easement on Nichols Tower and, if needed, acquire or lease nearby land for park offices and visitor services. The Secretary may only acquire the San Domingo School in Maryland by donation, by purchase with donated funds, or by exchange.

Rosenwald Schools Network and Grants

If enacted, the bill would set up a Rosenwald Schools National Network in the National Park Service and ask federal, state, local, and private sites to join. The Secretary would produce educational materials, create an official Network symbol, conduct research, recommend additional sites, and would be able to give grants and enter cooperative agreements to support preservation and interpretation. Cooperative projects must allow reasonable public access and the Secretary could use appropriated funds to mark, restore, or improve sites. Any payment would carry a reimbursement right: if a project is later converted for uses inconsistent with this section, the United States could require repayment equal to the funds provided or the increase in the project’s value attributable to the funds.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]

IL • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD]

    MD • D

    Sponsored 2/25/2026

  • Sen. Alsobrooks, Angela D. [D-MD]

    MD • D

    Sponsored 2/25/2026

  • Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 2/25/2026

  • Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 2/25/2026

  • Sen. Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI]

    RI • D

    Sponsored 2/25/2026

  • Sen. Warner, Mark R. [D-VA]

    VA • D

    Sponsored 2/25/2026

  • Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]

    CT • D

    Sponsored 2/25/2026

  • Sen. Kaine, Tim [D-VA]

    VA • D

    Sponsored 7/22/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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