U.S. House Rep. Robin Kelly (D-Ill.) took to social media to express her excitement about last week's redesignation of Pullman National Monument, the first national historical park in Chicago.
Kelly was joined at the Pullman National Historical Park site on East 111th Street on Jan. 19, by fellow Democrat and U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot and city Alderman Anthony Beale for the redesignation celebration.
"We did it!" Kelly said in a Twitter post the same day. "Pullman is officially a national historical park."
U.S. House Rep. Robin Kelly (D-Illinois)'s signature on the banner created to celebrate re-designation of Pullman National Historical Park
| twitter.com/RepRobinKelly/
The redesignation of Pullman National Monument into a national historical park makes it the third national historic site in Illinois. Kelly has advocated for the designation since she was elected about 10 years ago.
The national monument recalls the original porters who worked aboard Pullman railroad cars, many former slaves who moved north. Among those porters was former First Lady Michelle Obama's great-grandfather, Robert Lee Shields.
Pullman porters formed the first successful African American labor union to negotiate collectively with a large corporation.
The national monument is in the same area of Chicago that is home to other historic sites, including the former Pullman Palace Car Works shops and administration building, Arcade Park, Hotel Florence and Greenstone Church.
"The story of Pullman is a testament to the power of community," Kelly said during her remarks and in a news release issued the same day. "Over a century after the historic Pullman strike, the residents of Pullman are still fiercely dedicated to preserving the history that this place represents. I have the privilege of representing this community in Congress and it was an honor to lead the effort to designate Pullman as a National Historical Park."
The national monument recognizes the economic importance of Pullman, Kelly said.
"Places like Pullman are what built the American middle class. Its resilience is a constant reminder that the fight for economic justice is never over," she said. "At a time when labor rights and civil rights are still under threat, Pullman is a reminder that when communities come together to make meaningful change progress will follow. As a National Historical Park, Pullman will inspire families across the country to learn about the rich historical legacy that still lives on in Chicago and influences our nation to this day."