Congressmen Mike Ross (D-Arkansas) and Dennis Cardoza (D-California) visited the Clinton Birthplace Foundation on February 9th, 2006. The congressmen briefed the board of directors on the status of House Bill (H.R. 4192). This bill would authorize the Secretary of the Interior to designate the President William Jefferson Clinton Birthplace Home in Hope, Arkansas, as a National Historic Site and unit of the National Park System.

Foundation Board Member Parker Westbrook, Foundation Executive Director Richelle Rodgers, Congressman Dennis Cardoza, Congressman Mike Ross, University of Arkansas Community College Chancellor Charles Welch, and Arkansas State Representative Chris Thomason (D-AK)

Congressman Ross stated that he is working to get the legislation passed. He also informed us that there are currently nine presidential sites and only three have become National Park Service units. It will probably be a slow process and he asked us to be patient. Congressman Cardoza is very active and supportive of this legislation and assured us of Mike’s dedication to this bill.

The congressmen received a tour of the Clinton Birthplace home and facilities by Executive Director Richelle Rodgers.

Executive Director Richelle Rodgers, Board Member Parker Westbrook, Congressman Dennis Cardoza, President Bill Clinton in disguise, Congressman Mike Ross, Chancellor Charles Welch, and Representative Chris Thomason

Congressman Mike Ross, a congressional aide, and Congressman Dennis Cardoza looking at a photo of President Bill Clinton jogging.

Congressmen Mike Ross and Dennis Cardoza with Board Member Parker Westbrook

Congressmen Mike Ross and Dennis Cardoza with Board Member Parker Westbrook and Executive Director Richelle Rodgers

Congressmen Dennis Cardoza and Mike Ross brief the Board of Directors on the status of the National Park Service bill

Congressmen Dennis Cardoza and Mike Ross with Executive Director Richelle Rodgers