“We have a responsibility in this country to preserve every chapter of our history so others can learn from past mistakes," said Congressman Berry. "By preserving this trail, we will give our children and grandchildren the opportunity to experience this tragedy firsthand and develop a better understanding of what happened to Native Americans in this country."

The Trail of Tears Documentation Act asks the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a feasibility study of the additional trail segments, emigration depots, and land components currently missing along the historic trail. Once complete, individuals can travel the entire length of the trail and experience interpretations of that period in American history. Two of the proposed routes pass through the state of Arkansas. The Bell route heads up the Arkansas River from Tennessee through Little Rock and Fort Smith, and the Benge route extends west from Randolph County to Washington County.

Today's Senate hearing focused on Senator Tom Coburn's (R-OK) legislation which is identical to the measure introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Congressman Berry. The hearing included testimony from the Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation, Chief Chadwick Smith. Although a similar hearing has not been held in the House chamber, the House Resources Committee indicated it may hold a hearing on Congressman Berry's legislation in March or April of this year. 

“I am pleased to see Committee Leadership interested in completing the Trail of Tears," said Congressman Berry. “Many Americans do not realize we are letting an important part of our history slip away by failing to put the pieces back together."

Congressman Berry introduced H.R. 3085, the Trail of Tears Documentation Act, in June of 2005 with his colleague Congressman Zach Wamp (R-TN). The legislation has 20 co-sponsors from eight different states.