Senator Blunt Expresses Support For Bill That Would Amend Ste. Genevieve Park Legislation
U.S. Senator Roy Blunt of Missouri continued to show his support for federal legislation that would affect the Sainte Genevieve National Historical Park.
Blunt on February 5 spoke on Senate floor in support of the Natural Resources Management Act (Senate Bill 47).
The legislation includes provisions to enhance the visitor experience at the Harry S Truman National Historic Site as well as in Ste. Genevieve.
In March 2018, Blunt’s legislation to establish the Sainte Genevieve National Historical Park and designate it as a unit of the National Park Service (NPS) was signed into law.
Senate Bill 47 would amend the language to allow the National Park Service to acquire non-historic structures, which is required in order for NPS to accept a building such as the Centre for French Colonial Life, to utilize as a visitors center.
“There’s another provision [in Senate Bill 47] that would enhance the visitor access to Ste. Genevieve, the newest historic park in Missouri,” Blunt said. “This is something we did last year, transitioning some property to the national park system from the state park system.”
Blunt recognized Missouri State Parks and other entities during his comments.
“Thanks to dedicated historic preservation groups, including the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America, the Foundation for Restoration of Ste. Genevieve, Les Amis, and the Ste. Genevieve Chamber of Commerce have all worked hard to recognize the unique architecture they have there — some of which dates back to the late-18th century, more dates back to the years right after the turn of the 19th century, in the very early 1800’s — and this bill would allow significant things to happen in that park, including acquiring a standing visitor center that wouldn’t happen otherwise.”
The Senate voted on a number of amendments tied to the bill last Thursday.
(Information in a news release from U.S. Senator Roy Blunt’s office and the video of his speech.)