WASHINGTON – U.S. House Assistant Democratic Leader James E. Clyburn today released the following statement on the Senate passage yesterday of H.R. 3004, a bill to extend the authorization of the Gullah/Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor Commission.
The Commission was originally created by Congressman Clyburn’s legislation, passed in 2006, which created the Gullah/Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor. It is tasked with managing the Corridor in partnership with the National Park Service and dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of Gullah and Geechee history and culture. The Commission’s authorization was set to expire in October.
“Gullah/Geechee is a blend of African and European culture and traditions developed by former slaves living in isolation in the Sea Islands of the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. I was proud to get legislation passed creating a Commission to preserve and protect the Gullah/Geechee culture, which is increasingly endangered and deserving of protection. I am extremely pleased that the Congress has agreed to a five year extension of the Commission,” Clyburn stated.
“I began my career as a high school history teacher in South Carolina’s Low-Country, and I believe we have an obligation to preserve the rich history of this country. I have dedicated much of my tenure in Congress to ensuring this nation’s rich historical and cultural resources are protected for future generations. The Gullah/Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor is a unique effort dedicated to preserving not just a historical resource, but a living, breathing culture.”