Peace Garden News

At a recent meeting of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources (ENR) Committee, Senator John Hoeven secured approval for legislation aimed at supporting the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library. The bipartisan bill, cosponsored by Senators Kevin Cramer, Richard Blumenthal, and Martin Heinrich in the Senate and sponsored by Congressman Kelly Armstrong in the House, proposes several measures to aid in the library's establishment.

The proposed legislation would authorize the Department of the Interior to provide grants for establishing the presidential library and displaying materials. It follows a model similar to that used for the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield, Illinois. The bill also requires non-federal funds to match federal grants on a 2:1 basis and prohibits using federal grants for maintenance or operations.

Senator Hoeven emphasized the importance of preserving President Teddy Roosevelt's legacy through this initiative. "Our legislation supports the important mission of preserving and honoring the life and work of President Teddy Roosevelt," he stated. He noted that securing committee approval is a significant step toward passing this bill into law.

Senator Cramer highlighted Roosevelt's impact as a Rough Rider, governor, and president. "Today’s markup brings us one step closer to securing funding for the library," he said. Congressman Armstrong expressed enthusiasm about advancing this tribute to one of North Dakota's prominent figures.

This development marks another effort by Senator Hoeven in supporting the presidential library project. As part of his role on the Senate Appropriations Committee, he has sponsored legislation allowing land purchase from U.S. Forest Service for constructing a library and museum dedicated to Roosevelt's legacy.