Sablan’s H.R. 6380 will authorize the secretary of the Interior Department, through the National Park Service, to establish an American Memorial Park annex on Tinian.
According to the bill, it was determined by the National Park Service that North Field on Tinian was one of the most significant World War II sites in the Pacific.
The U.S. planes that dropped atomic bombs on Japan during World War II came from Tinian.
Senate Vice President Jude U. Hofschneider, R-Tinian, described Sablan’s bill as “good news.”
Hofschneider said he discussed with Sablan last year the significance of extending American Memorial Park to Tinian.
He is glad to learn from Sablan that legislation has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Sablan, in his letter to Hofschneider, said the park annex will include a visitor center which will also display and interpret artifacts regarding the historical events on Tinian.
The Tinian leadership, Sablan noted, has been instrumental in finding ways to expand the National Park Service activity to their island.
Hofschneider said it is just fitting that Tinian should have a memorial park to give credit to the important role the island played “in the restoration of world peace over 60 years ago.”
The contribution of the island and its people to American victory in World War II deserves to be recognized by the American people all over the nation, the senator said.
H.R. 6380 is now with the House Committee on Natural Resources of which Sablan is a member.
Sablan told Hofschneider he expects his measure to be included in a natural resource omnibus bill to ensure quicker passage.
In case his bill is not included, Sablan said it can still be introduced in the next Congress.
