Katko lauds new law setting home-state landmark on path for national recognition

The president on Oct. 9 signed into law a bipartisan, bicameral bill sponsored by U.S. Rep. John Katko (R-NY) that directs the U.S. Department of the Interior to determine if an Oswego, N.Y., site should be designated as a unit of the National Park System.

“I could not be more enthused that this bill is now law and our treasured landmark is on its way to being nationally recognized,” Rep. Katko said on Oct. 10.

He introduced the Fort Ontario Study Act, H.R. 46, in the U.S. House on Jan. 3, 2017. The same-named S. 55 was introduced a few days afterwards by U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) in the U.S. Senate.

H.R. 46 advances Fort Ontario and Safe Haven National Refugee Shelter toward becoming a national park by commissioning a special resource study to evaluate the site’s national significance and determine the suitability of its designation as a part of the national park system, according to the congressman’s office. The study is a prerequisite for receiving such a designation.

“Since coming to Congress in 2015, putting Fort Ontario on the path to becoming a national park has been among my top priorities,” said Rep. Katko. “Fort Ontario and Safe Haven National Refugee Shelter are important sites both in our regional history as well as the history of our country.”  

Oswego County Legislature Chairman Shane Broadwell called the congressman “steadfast in his efforts to elevate the fort and the Safe Haven Holocaust Refugee Shelter Museum to national park status.”

“Congressman Katko made this one of his priorities, and he kept his promise,” Broadwell added.

Oswego Mayor Billy Barlow said residents are grateful for Katko’s “unwavering efforts” to get the measure signed into law. “It’s truly a reflection of our democracy in action,” he said.