Congressman seeks to preserve historic civil rights church

Rep. Johnson introduces bipartisan bill to determine whether West Hunter Street Baptist Church meets criteria to be National Park

LITHONIA, GA – Congressmen Hank Johnson (GA-04) and Austin Scott (GA-08) introduced 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.

The West Hunter Street Baptist Church Study Act – H.R. 4119 – was signed by 29 members of Congress from both sides of the aisle. It has been referred to the House Subcommittee on Public Lands and Environmental Regulation.

During the Civil Rights Movement, the West Hunter Street Baptist Church 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 our people. We deeply believe that it is our duty to preserve these landmarks and to share their significance with future generations.”

Co-sponsors include: Austin Scott (GA), David Scott (GA), Barrow (GA), Bishop (GA), Holmes Norton, Sewell, Jackson Lee, Rangel, Cummings, Brown (FL), Honda, Hahn, Enyart, Ellison, Davis (IL), Conyers, Edwards (MD), Clarke (NY), Lee (CA), Grijalva, Cohen, Lowenthal, Thompson (CA), Kelly (IL), Holt, Moore, Waters, McGovern, Beatty.

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