House approves Katko bill to study national park suitability of Fort Ontario, Safe Haven

The House approved legislation on Monday that U.S. Rep. John Katko (R-NY) introduced to put Fort Ontario and Safe Haven Holocaust Refugee Shelter in Oswego, New York, on the path to becoming a national park.

The bipartisan Fort Ontario Study Act would commission a special resource study on Fort Ontario and Safe Haven Refugee Shelter to help assess the site’s suitability to be designated as part of the National Park Service.

“This site stands as a testament to the important role Central New York has played in our nation’s history,” Katko said. “I’m proud to be a champion for this effort, and I’m especially grateful for the tireless work of countless Oswego County residents, advocates and leaders who have worked to raise the profile of historic Fort Ontario and Safe Haven.”

Katko has worked with federal, state and local officials over the last two years to build support for the 260-year-old Fort Ontario and Safe Haven Holocaust Refugee Shelter Museum to be designated as a national park.

“With (Monday’s) passage of this bill in the House, I am hopeful that it will move quickly through the Senate and become law so that Fort Ontario and Safe Haven receive the national recognition deserved,” Katko said.

Kevin Hill, the president of the Safe Haven Holocaust Refugee Shelter, said it is imperative that officials try to keep alive its story as the only shelter in the United States for European refugees of the Holocaust.

“We are grateful to Congressman Katko for his unwavering support of the efforts to advance the designation of Safe Haven and Fort Ontario to National Park Status and we look forward to working with the congressman and his colleagues in the Senate to bring this legislation to fruition,” Hill added.