Scott Rigell introduces Fort Monroe legislation in the House

U.S. Rep. Scott Rigell, R-Virginia Beach, has introduced legislation in the House of Representatives to set up a National Park Service unit at Fort Monroe in Hampton.

The legislation is co-sponsored by Rep. Robert C. “Bobby” Scott, D-Newport News, and Rep. Rob Wittman, R-Westmoreland, and has the support of the National Park Service, the Fort Monroe Authority, Hampton Mayor Molly Ward, and Citizens for a Fort Monroe National Park, according to a statement from Rigell’s office.

The bill was introduced into the House on July 7, shortly after a similar bill was introduced into the Senate by U.S. Sens. Jim Webb and Mark Warner.

Their legislation, the Fort Monroe National Historical Park Establishment Act, would create an entity in Hampton known as the Fort Monroe National Historical Park.

"I am delighted to submit this legislation which will preserve Fort Monroe and ensure that the history of this special place will remain with us as a national park for generations to come," said Rigell.

"This is well beyond the preservation of bricks and mortar. It is the preservation of who we are as a people and where we’ve come from. Our community and elected leaders are united in seeing this historic place preserved for future generations, and I’m honored to be a part of that," he said.

The National Park Service has called two meetings in Hampton to receive feedback on the National Park idea at Fort Monroe on July 19.

The Army post, ordered to be closed by the base closure commission in 2005, will be turned over to the State of Virginia on Sept. 15.