U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown continued his efforts to make the John P. Parker House in Ripley a part of the National Parks Service on Friday of last week.

According to a press release, Brown wrote a letter to NPS director Jonathan Jarvis calling on his organization to “use its authority to conduct a survey exploring the suitability of designating the John P. Parker House – an important stop on the Underground Railroad – as a unit of NPS.”

“John P. Parker, a former slave who rose to become a leader in the abolitionist movement and a successful businessman, was a selfless and trailblazing American,” Brown said in the press release. “Including the John P. Parker House as part of the National Park Service is a fitting tribute to his bravery and strength.”

Brown is following up on legislation that he supports in the House of Representatives that is stuck in committee. That legislation calls for the Department of the Interior to conduct a special resource study to determine the “suitability and feasibility” of the Parker home entering the NPS.

That bill, H.R. 1033, was introduced on Feb. 24, 2015, and was referred to the U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources. On March 16, 2015, it was referred to the subcommittee on federal lands.

Representative Steve Stivers (R-OH), a native of Ripley, is also a co-sponsor of the legislation.

The Parker House is located at 300 N. Front St. in Ripley.

Legislation intoduced by Senator Sherrod Brown of Ohio would make the John P. Parker House in Ripley a part of the National Park Service.
https://www.newsdemocrat.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/web1_John_P._Parker_House.jpgLegislation intoduced by Senator Sherrod Brown of Ohio would make the John P. Parker House in Ripley a part of the National Park Service. Courtesy photo

By Daniel Karell

dkarell@civitasmedia.com

Reach Daniel Karell at 937-378-6161. Follow him on Twitter @GNDKarell