Cicilline advocates for proposal that would preserve natural wilderness and help tell story of American Industrial Revolution

WASHINGTON – U.S. Congressman David N. Cicilline (D-RI) testified before the House Committee on Natural Resources’ Subcommittee on Public Lands and Environmental Regulation today in support of the Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park Establishment Act (H.R. 706) – the House version of legislation he has introduced to establish a national park in the Blackstone Valley.

“I can think of no better way to honor our state’s leading role in the American Industrial Revolution than by establishing a new national park unit in the Blackstone River Valley,” said Cicilline. “This commonsense bill would preserve the natural beauty of the Blackstone River Valley, give Rhode Islanders an opportunity to showcase its unique role in history, and support jobs for hardworking men and women in the area.”

Senator Jack Reed has led the effort in the U.S. Senate to establish a national park for the Blackstone River Valley.  Reed’s proposal, which has received bipartisan support in the Senate, was reported favorably by the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Earlier this year, Cicilline introduced the House version of this legislation, H.R. 706. Today’s hearing marks a positive step forward towards establishing a national park.           

The full text of Cicilline’s remarks is embedded below.

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David N. Cicilline

Testimony on H.R. 706

As Prepared for Delivery

Thank you Chairman Bishop, Ranking Member Grijalva and Members of the Subcommittee on Public Lands and Environmental Regulation for affording me the opportunity to provide testimony today on my legislation, H.R. 706, to establish the Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park.

First, I’d like to request that these statements from local chambers of commerce and other local leaders be included in the record. In addition, a number of other Members of Congress from both Rhode Island and Massachusetts have been actively engaged on this effort, and so I ask that their statements be included in the record.

Thank you Mr. Chairman. This legislation represents the culmination of several years of evaluation, research, study, public input, and review regarding the creation of a new national park unit within the Blackstone River Valley. It has received support from Republicans and Democrats, a wide range of local businesses, government leaders, neighbors and the National Parks Service.

This legislation establishes a national park unit in a region between Worcester, Massachusetts and Providence, Rhode Island. Importantly, this legislation also sets up a management structure that will ensure collaboration and partnerships between stakeholders across state lines in order to most effectively reveal the region’s all important story.

The Blackstone River Valley’s rich history embodies our nation’s economic, environmental, social and cultural transformation. First inhabited by a wide range of Native American tribes, it later became the birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution and helped make our great nation an economic superpower. In the best spirit of our National Parks System, the Blackstone River Valley tells a nationally significant, multidimensional story. It illustrates how a beautiful natural landscape and powerful waterways fueled the industrial revolution and launched far-reaching changes to our nation’s economy and social structure.

For centuries, the Blackstone River Valley was home to several Native American tribes because of its easy transportation routes along the region’s waterways, rich farmland and promising landscapes. These same natural factors made the region appealing for colonial settlement.

Later, in the 1790s Samuel Slater emigrated from Great Britain hoping to open America’s first factory to spin cotton fiber into thread. The impressive water power derived from the Blackstone River and the number of potential employees already settled in the region made the Valley an ideal location for America’s first factory. Today, Slater Mill in Pawtucket, Rhode Island is a National Historic Landmark and would be one of the cornerstones of the Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park.

Because of the success of Slater’s mill, hundreds of similar industrial projects were developed throughout the Blackstone River Valley at a revolutionary speed.  After thirty years of explosive growth, the region earned a reputation as a centerpiece of America’s national economy. Of course, at the same time, to accommodate this influx of workers and capital, a successful system of manufacturing was born. This business system emphasized the need to provide housing, transportation and education for families working in the mills.

These mill villages became one of the most important social structures of American life in the 19th century. These mills and working villages could be spotted across the Blackstone River Valley’s beautiful natural landscapes and watershed. They were built to accommodate the nuclear family unit and included a system of schools, churches, and stores that helped define commerce, religion and education in 19th century New England. Immigrants from across Europe moved to the region to work at these famous mills and in a local agricultural economy that was feeding an increasing demand among workers.

To demonstrate the history of these mill villages, a national park unit would include various Historic Districts from Slatersville to Ashton and Whitinsville that are already being used to teach our industrial history. While biking along the Blackstone River, or kayaking in the waterways as I did a few weeks ago with Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell, you can experience this history first-hand. A national park unit would be a real testament to this still unfolding story. 

In recent years, local stakeholders have focused on reviving the Valley’s natural beauty. The watershed was badly polluted by years of industrialization and a huge clean-up effort has helped ensure the long-term environmental sustainability of the region. Establishing a national park will help us protect the Valley’s natural environment, preserve important historical landmarks, and spur economic development in the region.

Mr. Chairman, the story of the Blackstone River Valley as told through a national park unit will be a very powerful way to tell the early story of our great nation. I hope I’ve demonstrated the Valley’s beauty and historical significance in our nation’s history to you in my testimony today. I strongly believe the Blackstone River Valley embodies a landscape rich in natural, historic, and cultural treasures. Manufacturing and industrialization helped build this country, and there is no better place to demonstrate its importance than the birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution.

The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources reported companion legislation introduced by Senator Jack Reed favorably with significant bipartisan support on May 16th. I hope your Committee, after hearing today’s testimony, will take similar action. Thank you again for the opportunity to testify and I welcome the opportunity to discuss the legislation further.