H.R. 4491 … Witness Testimony

Posted March 18, 2010 at by Geneva Brett, VP.

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Historical Trail

H.R. 4491 Buffalo Soldiers in the National Parks Study Act - Witness Testimony

On behalf of every Veteran who has ever served this great nation, I thank you for the opportunity to testify in support of H.R. 4491. My name is Geneva Marie Brett; I’m a Realtor/Broker Associate, Vice President of the Los Banos Buffalo Soldiers 9th & 10th Cavalry Association, President of the Los Banos Chamber of Commerce.

Few Americans are aware Yosemite, Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks were protected by the U.S. Army from 1891 -1913. Buffalo Soldiers (African-American Cavalrymen) traveled by horseback from the Presidio of San Francisco to Sequoia and Yosemite in 1899, 1903 and 1904 to work as park protectors.

These Veterans of Foreign and Domestic Wars made significant contributions in the development of our nation and the National Parks System yet they remain near invisible in the pages of American history. H.R. 4491 will help bring to light this hidden history and commemorate the service of pioneers like the remarkable Colonel Charles Young, the 3rd Black Graduate of West Point, 1st Black Acting Superintendent of a National Park, 1st Black Military Attaché and 1 of 10 people to ever have a memorial service in the marble amphitheater at Arlington.

The Los Banos Buffalo Soldiers 9th & 10th Cavalry Association was formed to share this American history. At the heart of the 18 communities along the Trail, we not only embrace this important history, but have become its champion, sharing this remarkable story from sea to shining sea. Our organization is currently planning activities that will educate, engage, and inspire current and future generations. To show the wide community support for this Bill we’ve brought letters from our City Council, Chamber of Commerce, Veterans, the NAACP and the public. Los Banos City Council declared 2010 the Year of the Veteran, San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery declared it the Year of the Buffalo Soldier. We’re confident the passage of H.R. 4491 will aid local historic preservation, commerce, tourism and education in all 18 communities along the Trail. It is a rare yet thrilling opportunity to share this new, old history of local and national significance.

Is it irony, or perhaps destiny, that the Buffalo Soldiers were among the first stewards of the little known or understood notion of national parks and now the National Parks Service is the steward of the fragile and little known history of the Buffalo Soldiers? We were not only astonished to learn of the Buffalo Soldier connection to our community, but also that the greatest resource for Buffalo Soldier history is the National Parks Service!

H.R. 4491 is necessary and vital because there is nothing official in the NPS to commemorate the contributions of these Veterans. A National Historic Trail makes a statement to future generations that this history, their contribution is important to this nation. Historical trail status would force academia to pay attention to this history, meaning universities to grade schools would begin to study and teach the story. If American children grow up hearing about the Buffalo Soldiers of the Sierra Nevadas, then all children and their parents will understand that national parks belong to all Americans.

In truly honoring the 100th Anniversary of the National Park Service, Congress has been challenged with exploring visionary strategies to attract and accommodate new visitors through innovation and outreach. This Historical Trail Project is undeniably such a visionary strategy; it provides 18 opportunities to bring the National Parks directly to the people in their communities. This Trail will stimulate those segments of our society who least visit the parks, African Americans and other minorities.
In her Press Conference announcing the Bill Congresswoman Speier said, “I lived my entire life within walking distance of El Camino Real and never knew this chapter in our local history. Locally, my hope is that this remarkable story is incorporated into lesson plans for children learning about our region. We all learned in history class about the Spanish missionaries, the 49ers and the railroad barons. In more recent years, educators have stressed the history of local Native American tribes who made their home along what would later be known as San Francisco Bay. The story of the Buffalo Soldiers should be added to that history.” We concur.

On behalf of Los Banos, the Buffalo Soldiers and the communities along the route we wholeheartedly thank Congresswoman Speier and the 52 cosponsors for introducing H.R. 4491.

Neither Congress nor this Subcommittee can change the omissions of yesterday; however you can ensure that this history is not just preserved, but also presented. We’re in this for the long haul; working together, We Can -We Will stand and salute these remarkable and deserving Veterans… and if you listen closely… you can hear the “thank you” from the Buffalo Soldiers themselves.

Respectfully Submitted By:
Geneva Marie Brett,

Vice President, Los Banos Buffalo Soldiers 9th & 10th Cavalry Association

President, Los Banos Chamber of Commerce

February 25, 2010