Gillibrand, Katko Renew Push For Legislation To Begin Process Of Making Fort, Safe Haven A National Park

OSWEGO, NY – U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and U.S. Representative John Katko today (August 31) visited the Safe Haven Holocaust Refugee Shelter Museum.

The pair has introduced legislation that would authorize the National Park Service to conduct a study on whether the museum should become a part of the National Park system.

This designation would provide significant resources to Central New York, including increased federal funding for historic preservation and economic development programs, and would increase tourism to the area.

Gillibrand and Katko toured the Safe Haven Holocaust Refugee Shelter Museum at Fort Ontario Thursday afternoon.

The Safe Haven Holocaust Refugee Shelter Museum commemorates the 982 European refugees who called Fort Ontario home in 1944 after President Franklin D. Roosevelt invited them as his “special guests,” creating an emergency shelter to maneuver around the difficult immigration policies of the time.

Senator Gillibrand is the lead Senate sponsor of the Fort Ontario Study Act and Katko is the lead sponsor of the legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.

The legislation would authorize the National Park Service to conduct a study on whether Fort Ontario and the Safe Haven Holocaust Refugee Shelter Museum should become a part of the National Park system.

This study would be the first step in the process of making this site part of the National Park System.

“This is a great turnout,” Kevin Hill, Safe Haven Museum president, told the large crowd inside the museum. “I am absolutely honored to be joined today by Senator Gillibrand and Congressman Katko who have offered their unwavering support in an effort to elevate Fort Ontario and Safe Haven to national park status.”

“In 1944, nearly 1,000 European refugees (mostly Jewish) of Hitler’s Holocaust made the journey to America and arrived at Fort Ontario in Oswego. As the only such shelter for refugees of World War II, it is imperative that we preserve and protect this important piece of history, and elevate Fort Ontario and Safe Haven to a level of national significance,” he added.

He acknowledged the mayor, councilor, county legislators and other officials on hand.

“This piece of history is significant. We have an obligation to protect it and preserve it to the best of our ability,” Hill said.

“It’s a joint effort by the senator and myself and many others” Katko said of the endeavor to make the fort and museum into a national park. “The fort is the only fort in the United States that’s been involved in every war since the 1700s. That’s pretty remarkable in of itself and that should be enough to be able to afford national park status.”

But what makes it really remarkable is what happened in 1944, he added.

“Finally, in 1944, a ship full of refugees was allowed to stay. When they got here, they were safe, they were protected. And eventually, many became US citizens,” Katko said.

“I’m proud to have introduced and passed through the House of Representatives this bipartisan measure to put Fort Ontario and Safe Haven on the path towards becoming a National Park,” he continued. “This incredible site is testament to the great history of Central New York and the important and unparalleled role it has played in nearly every major American war and as a shelter for refugees during World War II. It would truly be an asset to our National Park system. I now join with Senator Gillibrand in urging our colleagues in the Senate to take swift action to pass this measure so that it can be signed into law.”

Katko said he envisions people from all over the world visiting the site.

From the historical preservation standpoint, this is the right thing to do, he said. From a simple tourism standpoint, this is a great thing to do – “It’s a double whammy to the positive,” he added.

The bill passed the House and is in the Senate.

“Senator Gillibrand and I are both here today to say let’s get this done and through the Senate and to the President’s desk for his signature,” Katko said. “It’s a no-brainer.”

It’s a multi-year process, he pointed out.

“This museum is incredible,” the senator said. “The exhibits are really inspiring. It’s certainly a place that is worthy of national park designation. I can’t help but think about the role that Fort Ontario has played all throughout American history.”

The history of Fort Ontario goes back even longer than the history of our country, she pointed out.

“With so many unsettling events happening around us, whether it’s the flooding in Texas or the refugee crisis, I can’t help but think about the incredible role that Fort Ontario and this area have played throughout American history as a safe haven in times of danger. From the French and Indian War all the way through World War Two and the Holocaust, this site has given people shelter, hope, courage and strength when they needed them most. People from all over the country should be able to come here and learn about this unique site. I am so proud to lead the fight to make it a part of our National Park system.”
Senator Gillibrand said. “I am urging Senate leadership to bring this legislation to the floor so we can vote on it and send it to the President’s desk as soon as possible.”

The Fort Ontario Military Complex dates back to the early 1840s. It is built on the ruins of three earlier fortifications from the French and Indian War, Revolutionary War and War of 1812.

Fort Ontario is now a part of the NYS Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation system.

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