Capital District Times

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed Congresswoman Elise Stefanik's Strengthening America’s Turning Point Act. The legislation aims to rename the Saratoga National Historical Park to Saratoga National Battlefield Park, gaining bipartisan support.

Congresswoman Stefanik expressed her satisfaction with the passage of the bill, stating, "I am proud to see my legislation renaming this historic site ‘Saratoga National Battlefield Park’ pass the House today with bipartisan support. This change will more accurately reflect the historical significance of the site as the turning point in the Revolutionary War and one of the most decisive American battles of the American Revolution." She emphasized her role as Co-Chair of the Congressional Battlefield Caucus in preserving battlefields and historic sites in Upstate New York and North Country.

Phil Barrett, Chairman of the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors, thanked Congresswoman Stefanik for her support: “On behalf of the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors, I thank Congresswoman Stefanik for her longstanding support for the promotion and preservation of our County’s revolutionary history. Redesignating...will clearly identify...this land for tourists and locals alike.”

The initiative began on June 18, 2024, when Saratoga County Board unanimously requested Congress and National Park Service to consider renaming. Originally named Saratoga Battlefield Park when designated a state historical site in 1927, it lost 'battlefield' upon becoming a national park in 1938.

Stefanik introduced her bipartisan bill in July 2024. It underwent a legislative hearing by September 2024 before passing through unanimous consent from House Natural Resources Committee by November 2024.

As an advocate for battlefield preservation as Co-Chair Congressional Battlefield Caucus since March last year—receiving recognition from American Battlefield Trust—Stefanik continues championing efforts safeguarding these vital historical locations.