H.R. 1718: Justice Thurgood Marshall National Historic Site Establishment Act of 2025

The bill titled the **Justice Thurgood Marshall National Historic Site Establishment Act of 2025** aims to establish the **Justice Thurgood Marshall National Historic Site** in Baltimore, Maryland. This site will be affiliated with the National Park System and will specifically encompass Public School 103, where Thurgood Marshall was educated as a child. The purpose of the bill is to preserve and interpret the significant contributions of Justice Thurgood Marshall to civil rights and the legal system for future generations.

Key Provisions of the Bill

• Establishment of the Historic Site: The bill designates the school as a national historic site and intends to manage it under the National Park System.
• Management and Administration: The site will be managed by the **Beloved Community Services Corporation**, which currently operates the school as a museum. The nonprofit organization will continue to own and manage the property.
• Cooperation with the National Park Service: The Secretary of the Interior is authorized to provide technical assistance and enter cooperative agreements with the management entity to support marketing, preservation, and educational activities related to the site.
• Financial Considerations: The bill authorizes the necessary appropriations to fulfill its objectives, but it clarifies that the Secretary does not have the authority to acquire the property or take financial responsibility for the site's operations.

Background Information

The legislation acknowledges Thurgood Marshall's significant role in leading the NAACP Legal Defense Fund and his historic achievements, including his work on the 1954 Supreme Court case *Brown v. Board of Education*, which helped dismantle racial segregation in public schools. Marshall’s legacy includes being the first African American Supreme Court Justice, a position he held from 1967 to 1991.

Public School 103, where the historic site will be located, has undergone restoration and is currently operated as a museum. A 2019 study by the National Park Service highlighted its national significance, leading to the proposal for its designation as a national historic site.

Purpose of the Bill

The bill's primary purpose is to formally recognize and protect the historical contributions of Thurgood Marshall by establishing a site dedicated to his legacy. It aims to ensure that the story of Marshall's influence on civil rights and the justice system is preserved and accessible to the public.

Relevant Companies

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