I have the honor of being the first African-American to serve as Assistant Secretary
for fish, wildlife and parks. And in that position I oversee both the National
Park Service and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. And both of these
bureaus are involved in this dedication. I also know from some of my recent personal
research that I have ancestors who were held in slavery in North Carolina and
Virginia. And it’s likely that some of them may have visited the Great
Dismal Swamp on their way away from slavery.