Congressman Johnson’s bill preserving historic civil rights church passes House

Bipartisan bill to determine whether West Hunter Street Church meets criteria to be National Park

WASHINGTON, D.C. – A bipartisan bill authorizing the Department of Interior to determine whether the historic West Hunter Street Baptist Church in Atlanta meets the criteria for designation in the National Park System passed the House of Representatives on Monday.

The West Hunter Street Baptist Church Study Act, proposed by Congressmen Hank Johnson (GA-04) and Austin Scott (GA-08), was signed by 77 members of Congress from both sides of the aisle.

The bill now goes to the Senate for a vote. If it passes the Senate, it goes to President Obama’s desk for his signature.

During the Civil Rights Movement, the historic West Hunter Street Baptist Church on MLK Drive served as a headquarters for many Civil Rights workers and organizers. It was the site of many important leadership meetings and doubled as a school for nonviolent protest during initiatives such as the Voter Education Project and the Freedom Summer of 1964. It was also a spiritual refuge for the countless men and women who devoted their lives to the cause.

“The history of the Civil Rights Movement is a lesson in democratic ideals,” said Johnson. “It is a testimony to the strength of our Constitution, and to the courage of the American people. We deeply believe that it is our duty to preserve these landmarks and to share their significance with future generations.”

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