Press Release*
ROSIE GETS HER NATIONAL PARK
AS CLINTON SIGNS MILLER'S BILL
WASHINGTON -- A new Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historical Park will rise from the former Kaiser shipyards and other wartime industrial and community sites in Richmond, California as a result of President Clinton having signed into law late last night legislation by Congressman George Miller (D-Martinez) to establish the park.
A pen used in the signing ceremony, together with an embossed copy of the legislation, will be presented to the National Park Service for display in the Park's Visitors' Center, which will be located in the former Ford Assembly Building in Richmond.
"I am very pleased that the first national site to fully focus on the enormous contributions and sacrifices of Americans on the Home Front to the victorious WWII effort will be located in Richmond, California," said Miller.
Richmond was selected for the park because it has many intact buildings that were constructed for 56 wartime industries. Its four shipyards produced 747 large ships and set production records. The Home Front changed Richmond from a predominantly white community of 23,600 residents to a diverse population of over 100,000 people within a year. Industries operated around the clock and public housing, schools, day care centers, health care and merchants mobilized to support the new workforce that arrived on the city's doorstep. Fortunately, Richmond's turbulent and productive Home Front years were well chronicled and photographed.
"Only two years ago, we authorized the study of the park; today, it is a reality, and it will continue to teach Americans about the importance of these people and this city for generations to come," Miller said.
The presidential action comes on the heels of a ceremony unveiling a memorial in Richmond to the six million women who labored on the Home Front who are symbolized by Rosie the Riveter, on the Richmond waterfront and within the new National Historical Park. Over 2,000 people, including over a hundred former "Rosies," city leaders, civic activists and Congressman Miller participated in the dedication of the Memorial on October 14th. Miller said that his bill was greatly aided by the support of Mayor Rosemary Corbin, City Councilman Tom Butt, former City Councilwoman Donna Powers, project director Donna Graves, Ray Murray of the National Park Service, and others.
Under the terms of the legislation, the National Park Service will work with the local Rosie the Riveter Memorial Project Committee and city officials to restore and maintain key features of the World War II shipbuilding complex including historic buildings, dry docks, and related facilities. The Park Service will provide interpretive services at a variety of sites and operate a Visitor Center in the craneway of the Ford Assembly Building. The Park will function as a National Park Service National Historical Site. Most of the properties will continue to be owned by the City of Richmond.
Miller noted that the designation is part of a broader effort to preserve and commemorate key sites that played a significant part in American history.
"Preservation is not only for parks and wilderness areas," said Miller, senior member of the House Resources Committee. "We are also committed to using our resources to preserve historic sites that help tell the story of America's development, and the Rosie the Riveter/Home Front National Historical Park will stand as a lasting tribute to these brave women who played such a crucial role in winning the war."
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* Press releases are included on this site occasionally when the information in them is of interest to women's history. Press releases are usually public relations communications from government and private sector organizations, and should be read with that purpose in mind.
