Senator Moran’s Newletter Jan. 11, 2021
Condemning the Violence & Destruction at the U.S. Capitol
The violence and destruction that occurred at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday was completely unacceptable and unpatriotic, and I condemn it in the strongest possible terms. It was a sad day for our nation, and it was an unwelcome reminder that our democracy is fragile.
I extend my sincere gratitude to all the law enforcement officers who worked to keep all congressional members and staff safe during the breach. My deepest sympathies are with the family, friends and colleagues of U.S. Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick who gave his life defending our U.S. Capitol and our democracy. We must never forget his sacrifice and work to quickly bring to justice those responsible for his death and the harm caused to other law enforcement officers. My heart also goes out to the family and friends of Officer Howard Libengood who died on Saturday after serving as a Capitol Police officer for 15 years.
God Bless the U.S. Capitol Police and our law enforcement officers.
Certifying the Electoral College
On Tuesday, I released the following statement regarding the joint session of Congress to count the results of the Electoral College:
“I am a conservative Republican. Therefore, I must strictly adhere to the United States Constitution. The Constitution clearly limits the role of Congress with respect to presidential elections to the counting of electoral votes that have been certified by the states. The states, consistent with the principles of federalism and a limited national government, possess the sole authority to determine and submit their electors. To vote to reject these state-certified electoral votes would be to act outside the bounds of the Constitution, which I will not do.
President Trump had every right under the Constitution to challenge the results of the election in the courts, and I publicly supported his right to do so given the allegations and reports of irregularities and fraud. But in every instance, the judgments were clear, and no judge or Supreme Court justice – including those appointed by President Trump – determined there was evidence sufficient to change the results of the election.
Support of the institutions and legal processes established in the Constitution by those who founded this exceptional American Republic are necessary to preserve our most cherished American values. Voting to object to the electoral process without a constitutional basis to do so may be expedient and lead to short-term political benefits for some, but would risk undermining our democracy – which is built upon the rule of law and separation of powers. No victory for one’s cause today can be worth what we would lose tomorrow.
On Wednesday evening, following the events and violence that befell the U.S. Capitol during these constitutionally-mandated proceedings, my Senate colleagues and I returned to the House chamber to finish the counting of the Electoral College votes. At 3:40 a.m. EST, Vice President Pence announced the state of the vote for the 2020 Presidential election, certifying President-elect Joe Biden as the winner of the 2020 Presidential Election.
Convening the 117th Congress
This past Sunday, January 3, 2021, Congress officially convened for its 117th session, an event that has taken place every two years since America’s first official Congress commenced in 1789. Newly elected members took their oaths of office to defend and uphold our Constitution, serve their fellow Americans, their states and districts.
Legislation to Improve the Lives of Veterans Signed into Law
On Tuesday, the President signed into law the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020. This comprehensive legislation is the culmination of more than two years of bipartisan work, with input from our veteran service organizations, dozens of senators and members of the House and our partners at the VA. This legislation combines more than 34 separate bills to address veterans’ needs across a wide range of benefits and services.
This law invests in the GI Bill and economic opportunities for veterans so they can realize the American dream they fought to defend on our behalf. This includes preserving education benefits during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as expanding job training programs for veterans pursuing technology careers. This legislation will also give VA the tools it needs to serve veterans at risk of homelessness during the pandemic and increase legal protections for veterans receiving benefits and care from VA. It also includes provisions from the Deborah Sampson Act , a landmark bill that makes it clear that women who serve their country in the armed forces must have a VA that is as effective for them as it is for men who have served.
Enacting this law is another step in the ongoing efforts to ensure that veterans receive the right benefits and the right care at the right time in order to maximize their ability to achieve success after service. I look forward to this law being faithfully implemented by the VA, and I commit to monitoring their progress in that effort.
Speaking with Department of Defense Secretary Nominee Lloyd Austin
This week, I met virtually with General (Retired) Lloyd Austin, President-Elect Biden’s nominee for Secretary of Defense. We spoke specifically about the role Kansas plays in defense manufacturing and technology research, as well as Kansas’ military bases and research facilities. I was pleased to hear that General Austin has existing relationships with some of our Kansas military leaders, including Lieutenant General James Rainey, the commander of the Combined Arms Center and Fort Leavenworth, and Brigadier General Douglas Sims, commander of the First Infantry Division and Fort Riley. He also spoke fondly of former Defense Secretary Robert Gates, a great Kansan I hold in high regard. My Senate colleagues and I will continue to learn more about General Austin during his confirmation hearings in front of the Senate Armed Services Committee.
Honored to Serve You in Washington
It is an honor to serve you in Washington, D.C. Thank you to the many Kansans who have been calling and writing in to share their thoughts and opinions on the issues our state and country face. I appreciate the words of Kansans, whether in the form of a form of letter, a Facebook comment or a phone call, who wish to make their voice heard.
Please let me know how I can be of assistance. You can contact me by email by clicking here . You can also click here to contact me through one of my Kansas offices or my Washington, D.C. office.
Very truly yours,
Senator Jerry Moran
Wind Energy Production Recognition For Kansas
Governor Laura Kelly Announces Kansas Receives National Recognition for Wind Energy Production, Capacity
TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today announced that the state of Kansas has once again been recognized as a national leader in wind energy, with Business Facilities Magazine noting lofty rankings for Kansas when compared to all other states, and awarding an Honorable Mention to the Grain Belt Express project in the magazine’s Deal of the Year competition.
According to Business Facilities’ 2020 State Rankings, Kansas was:
1. No. 1 in percentage of energy generated by wind
2. No. 4 in Aerospace
3. No. 4 in installed wind power capacity
“I’m pleased that these national accolades have confirmed what Kansans have known to be true – our state is a driving force when it comes to wind power expansion, development, and innovation in our country,” Governor Kelly said. “I thank all the hardworking Kansans across the state who put in the work to make this possible. My administration will continue to support wind power initiatives that will not only allow us to maintain our top-tier rankings, but also create jobs and boost economic development statewide.”
In 2020, Kansas reclaimed the top spot it held in 2018 in percentage of energy generated by wind, as it was No. 2 in 2019 behind Iowa. Kansas also increased its installed wind power capacity significantly in 2020 in claiming the fourth-place spot.
Due to its significant economic impact and benefit, the Grain Belt Express was honored by Business Facilities Magazine with an Honorable Mention award in its national Deal of the Year competition. A new, 800-mile transmission line connected to the Grain Belt Express is expected to bring $8 billion in investment and thousands of jobs to Kansas.
According to Business Facilities, 2020 was one of most competitive years for the Deal of the Year competition, with economic development projects from across the nation submitted and judged by an expert panel of independent site consultants and real estate executives.
Grain Belt Express, owned and developed by Invenergy Transmission, has created a renewable energy project that promises to deliver significant advantages in access to affordable energy, and added infrastructure for broadband. According to an analysis on behalf of the company, this expansion will create up to $7 billion in electricity cost savings for Kansas and Missouri consumers by 2045.
“The Grain Belt Express project reflects our state’s commitment to smart renewable energy and aggressive economic growth, and I’m grateful to Business Facilities for including this exciting project on their list of the nation’s top successes,” Lieutenant Governor and Commerce Secretary David Toland said. “We’re on a roll in Kansas, and our team is proud to demonstrate the many ways Kansas is the nation’s best place to do business. We’ll be back competing for still more accolades that reflect Kansas’ position at the best place in the nation to do business.”
The Grain Belt Express will begin in southwest Kansas and wind through Missouri, Illinois and Indiana. Energy savings will result from the Grain Belt Express transmission line’s direct access to one of the country’s strongest and lowest-cost wind energy resources in western Kansas. This projected energy cost savings is in addition to the $8 billion in economic investment in Kansas associated with Grain Belt Express.
To see the full list of Business Facilities’ 16th Annual State Rankings Report, click here. The full list of Deal of the Year winners can be found on Business Facilities’ website here.
About Grain Belt Express
Grain Belt Express is an approximately 800-mile high voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission line being developed by Invenergy Transmission. It will deliver up to 4,000 megawatts (MW) of low-cost, homegrown clean energy from western Kansas to millions of Americans in the Midwest and other regions. Learn more at: www.grainbeltexpress.com
About the Kansas Department of Commerce
As the state’s lead economic development agency, the Kansas Department of Commerce strives to empower individuals, businesses and communities to achieve prosperity in Kansas. Commerce accomplishes its mission by developing relationships with corporations, site location consultants and stakeholders in Kansas, nationwide and worldwide. Our strong partnerships allow us to help create an environment for existing Kansas businesses to grow and foster an innovative, competitive landscape for new businesses.
Jayhawk Wind Project in Final Development Stage
Jayhawk Wind, the wind energy project in Bourbon County, is in the final stages of development, according to Apex Clean Energy Inc., the developer and owner.
“As contemplated, Apex will need to secure a project sponsor to build Jayhawk Wind, and we believe the project is very well-positioned to do so,” Apex Public Engagement Manager Patrick Chilton said ” We are currently progressing discussions with a potential project sponsor, and we know that Jayhawk Wind is a strong project with proven positive attributes for investors. Apex Clean Energy has a long track record of successfully commercializing its projects, and we look forward to adding Jayhawk Wind to that list.”
“If we are able to secure this partnership, it will allow us to begin project construction in the coming months,” Chilton said.
Jayhawk Wind is located in southwestern Bourbon County and northwestern Crawford County, he said, with about 80% of the project facilities located in Bourbon County, between the areas of Porterville and Hiattville.
To view the Jayhawk Wind project boundaries:
“Once construction begins, we will establish a construction laydown yard off the highway and begin upgrading county roads that will be used during the construction phase,” Chilton said. ” We expect that foundations will be excavated later this year, and turbines will begin arriving late summer or early fall. We hope that construction will be complete by the end of the year.”
Maps of the current draft of the project’s design are located in the Girard office at 124 E. Forest Ave.
“Final maps will also be shared with the public when they are ready,” Chilton said. “Once project construction begins, we expect it will take about nine months to reach commercial operation.”
History of the project in Bourbon County
“Apex started developing Jayhawk Wind in 2016 and have continued to develop the project since,” Chilton said. ” In March 2020, the project entered into agreements with Bourbon County, which were updated in the fall of 2020. Since then, we have been working diligently to finalize the required approvals and complete all necessary research and surveys to inform the final project.”
“Despite the challenges of the past year, we made substantial progress in 2020 at Jayhawk Wind,” said Julianna Pianelli, development manager for Jayhawk Wind. “I’m excited about what 2021 will bring, and I am looking forward to completing the final steps to bring this important economic development opportunity to Bourbon and Crawford counties.”
Quarterly Downtown Meet and Greet Jan. 12
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Kansas DCF and KDADS Are Combined
Governor Laura Kelly Proposes Agency Reorganization to Aid Vulnerable Kansans
~Governor Kelly to Combine DCF and KDADS to Create Department of Human Services~
TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today announced her intent to once again submit an executive reorganization order (ERO) to the Kansas Legislature creating the Kansas Department of Human Services (KDHS). The new agency will include the current programs at the Department for Children and Families (DCF) and the Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS).
“Creating the Department of Human Services ensures Kansas families and individuals have easier access to critical services and improves engagement between our service centers, clients, and local stakeholders by creating a single point of entry for those accessing a variety of needs,” Governor Kelly said. “Through this ERO, my administration reaffirms our commitment to ensuring vulnerable Kansans have someone advocating for them in Topeka.”
Programs in the new agency will include:
1. Adult protective services
2. Adult behavioral health
3. Long-term services and supports
4. Economic supports
5. Employment supports
6. Children’s mental health supports
7. Child protective services
8. Foster care
9. Prevention
10. Licensing, credentialing, survey and certification
11. Larned State Hospital
12. Parsons State Hospital
13. Osawatomie State Hospital
14. Kansas Neurological Institute
Current Secretary of DCF and KDADS, Laura Howard, will lead the new KDHS.
“This is not going to be business as usual,” Secretary Howard said. “This new combined agency provides us the opportunity to modernize systems for youth, families, and the elderly. KDHS means less bureaucracy standing between clients and the services they need.
“I look forward to collaborating with communities across the state to guarantee individuals have seamless access to the supports and services they need to achieve their goals and to make sure we are walking alongside families as they address their challenges head-on.”
Governor Kelly will submit the ERO to the legislature on Jan. 21. The ERO becomes effective on July 1, following its transmittal to the legislature, unless within 60 calendar days of transmittal, either the Senate or House adopts a resolution disapproving it.
Obituary of Troy Scott Felt
Troy Scott Felt, age 31, resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died Friday, January 8, 2021.
Scott, known in his younger years as Cow Truck Buck and then grew into Scotty too Hottie. He was always handy with a wrench, from tearing apart bikes as a kid to rebuilding cars for his grandpa. He could be found by the water with a pole in his hand on any given day.
You can’t honestly describe the person Scott was with just one word. Scott was simple yet complex; he kept to himself but had plenty to say. He was quietly hilarious. He loved those around him even if he didn’t say it. He was a caregiver, a son, a brother, a friend, a mechanic, and a fisherman. He was a big brother, his parents baby boy, and his grandparent’s keeper.
Scott was the first-born son to Troy Felt, of Fort Scott and Melany Powell-Felt of Fort Scott. He has a brother Tyler wife Skylar, children Waylon and Easton and a sister Haley husband Adam children Knox and soon to be, Creek. He was the grandson of Tom and Beatrice Powell, of Fort Scott and Ronnie and Laura Felt, of Fort Scott, the nephew of Robert and Rhonda Kellstadt, Rick and Cindy Felt, Jerry Powell, Myron and Sherri Clark and was a cousin to many.
Scott was preceded in death by his beloved Grandma Beatrice Powell, Great grandparents Marjorie and John Fowler, Uncle Tommy Powell, and Great Uncle Rocky Combs.
Rev. Paul Rooks will conduct services at 2:00 PM Wednesday, January 13th, at the Grace Baptist Tabernacle.
Burial will follow in the Lath Branch Cemetery. The family invites friends to gather Wednesday evening beginning at 5:30 at Troy Felt’s home, 1500 145th St., Ft. Scott.
Memorials are suggested to Gunn Park and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
COVID Vaccination Distribution Order
Governor Laura Kelly Announces Finalized Vaccine Distribution Order
TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly on Jan. 7 announced her administration’s final COVID-19 distribution order for population groups in Kansas. The vaccine will be administered in five phases, beginning with those most at risk of contracting or becoming seriously ill from COVID-19 and ending with all Kansans at large.
“These COVID-19 vaccination phase groups were created using guidance from national and state public health experts and with input from the Kansas Coronavirus Vaccine Advisory Council, or COVAC, which represents a diverse group of populations in Kansas,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “My priority remains providing every Kansan with updates and information on vaccine schedules as we get them and to get everyone vaccinated as quickly and efficiently as possible.”
The Kansas Coronavirus Advisory Council, representing a diverse group of Kansans statewide, is part of Governor Kelly’s commitment to maximizing benefits, minimizing harm, and striving for equity, justice, and fairness when it comes to when the vaccine will be made available to which Kansans.
The five phases of the order are as follows:
Phase 1:
• Health care workers
• Residents or patients in long-term care facilities and senior housing
• Workers critical to pandemic response continuity
*Phase 1 groups have already begun to receive vaccines
Phase 2:
• Persons aged 65 and older
• High-contact critical workers necessary to maintain systems, assets, and activities that are vital to the state security, the economy or public health, or who interact with large numbers of contacts and job-related COVID-19 exposure. COVID-19 risk is associated with the likelihood of infecting oneself or spreading the virus. Factors that increase risk include proximity, type of contact, duration of contacts and challenges to implement protective measures. This includes:
o Firefighters, police officers, first responders, and correction officers
o Grocery store workers and food services
o K-12 and childcare workers, including teachers, custodians, drivers, and other staff
o Food processing, including meat processing plants
o Large-scale aviation manufacturing plants
o Transportation workers
o Workers in retail, agriculture, supply of critical services or materials for COVID-19 response, the U.S. Postal Service, and Department of motor vehicles
• Those living or working in licensed congregate settings and other special care or congregate environments where social distancing is not possible, including:
o Homeless shelters
o Congregate childcare institutions
o Emergency shelters or safe houses
o Corrections facilities
o Behavioral health institutions
Phase 3:
• Those aged 16-64 with serious medical conditions that increase the risk for severe illness from COVID-19, including:
o Cancer
o Chronic kidney disease
o Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
o Down Syndrome
o Heart conditions like cardiomyopathies
o Immunocompromised state from solid organ transplant
o Type 2 diabetes
o Sickle cell disease
o Pregnant patients
• Other non-health care workers in critical infrastructure who cannot work remotely, including:
o Agricultural and food workers not included in previous phases
o Workers performing in-person activities indoors, in critical manufacturing, not included in previous phases. This includes aviation and production of critical supplies for the COVID response
o Utility workers
o Social service and government workers not included in previous phases
o Logistics workers, such as truck transportation workers, couriers and others
o Water and wastewater workers
o Shelter and housing workers, finance workers
o Information technology and communications workers
Phase 4:
• Those aged 16-64 with other medical conditions that increase the risk for severe illness from COVID-19 such as:
o Asthma
o Cerebrovascular disease
o Cystic Fibrosis
o Immunocompromised state from blood or bone marrow transplant, immune deficiencies, or use of immune weakening medicines
o Neurologic conditions such as dementia
o Liver disease
o Pulmonary fibrosis
o Type 1 diabetes
o Obesity and severe obesity
Phase 5:
• The rest of the population 16 and older
• Potentially children, dependent upon further research on the effectiveness and risks associated with vaccinating kids
View a visual representation of the distribution order here.
View informational slides regarding vaccine distribution here.
Youth Hunters Discussion Jan. 14 Online
Wildlife, Parks and Tourism Commission To Hold First Public Meeting of 2021
PRATT – Creating more quality opportunities for youth hunters will be just one of many items discussed by Kansas Wildlife, Parks and Tourism commissioners during their Jan. 14, 2021 virtual meeting. The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) is considering raising the maximum age to participate in the state’s special youth seasons to 17.
To date, state regulations have allowed hunters age 16 and younger to participate in special youth seasons for deer, turkey and upland birds. Meanwhile, federal regulations previously only permitted hunters age 15 and younger to participate in special youth waterfowl seasons, causing much confusion for the public.
Recently, federal regulations have raised the maximum age limit to participate in youth seasons to 17. In an effort to avoid confusion, create consistency among seasons, and allow more young hunters to benefit from the highly-successful youth seasons, KDWPT will seek to mirror the new age limit established by federal regulation.
Other items of note to be discussed by commissioners during the Jan. 14, 2021 virtual meeting include:
Migratory Bird Seasons
Tom Bidrowski, KDWPT migratory game bird program manager, will present the framework for the 2021-22 waterfowl seasons for ducks and geese. Proposed season dates, limits and management unit boundaries closely resemble Kansas’ 2020-21 waterfowl regulations. This topic will again be discussed during the Commission’s March 25 public meeting, followed by a final vote at the Commission’s April 29 public meeting.
KDWPT migratory game bird coordinator Rich Schultheis will present proposed seasons and regulations for webless migratory birds, which include species like sandhill cranes, doves, snipe and rails.
Upland Game Bird Seasons
KDWPT small game coordinator Kent Fricke and KDWPT small game specialist, Jeff Prendergast, will present updates on pheasant, quail and prairie chicken seasons, as well as proposals for 2021-22 seasons and limits that are expected to follow traditional season framework. Fricke will also share research on the effects of livestock grazing on Conservation Reserve Program grasslands.
State Park Permits Via Kiosks
Linda Lanterman, KDWPT state park director, will discuss the possibility of installing electronic payment kiosks at Kansas’ state parks. State park staff are confident these electronic self-service kiosks could make it easier for state park visitors to purchase assorted vehicle and camping permits at the user’s convenience.
Elk, Antelope Seasons
Proposed season dates and permit allocations for upcoming antelope and elk seasons will be presented by Matt Peek, KDWPT wildlife research biologist.
Deer seasons
Levi Jaster, KDWPT big game program coordinator, will propose staff recommendations for Kansas’ 2021-2022 deer seasons, which largely resemble recent seasons.
Landowner and Tenant Deer Permits
Chris Tymeson, chief legal counsel for KDWPT, will give an in-depth explanation of Kansas’ current regulations surrounding landowner and tenant deer permits.
For a complete commission agenda and to view the briefing book, visit https://ksoutdoors.com/KDWPT-Info/Commission/Meeting-Schedule/January-14-2021.
Commissioners will begin the Jan. 14 meeting at 1:30 p.m., recess at 5 p.m., then reconvene at 6:30 p.m. for a public hearing, during which time items will be voted on. Public input is welcomed during both the afternoon and evening sessions and time is set aside at the beginning of both sessions for comments on items not included on the meeting agenda. For specific instructions on how to participate, visit https://ksoutdoors.com/KDWPT-Info/Commission/Instructions-to-Participate-in-Virtual-Meeting.
An interpreter for the hearing impaired can be requested by calling the Kansas Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing at 1-800-432-0698. Any individual with a disability may request other accommodations by contacting the Commission secretary at (620) 672-5911.
The next KDWPT Commission meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 25, 2021, at Lake Shawnee Reynolds Lodge in Topeka.
The New to Medicare Virtual Workshop
Family and Consumer Science Extension Agent
Adult Development and Aging
Family Resource Management
K-State Research and Extension
Southwind Extension District
210 S. National
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Office: 620-223-3720
Fax: 620-223-0332
[email protected]
Are you eligible for Medicare because you are turning 65 years old or reaching the 25th month of long-term disability? Figuring out when to enroll in Medicare and which parts to enroll in can be daunting. There’s Part A, Part B, Part D, medigap plans, Medicare Advantage plans and so on. And what the heck is a doughnut hole, anyway? A virtual New to Medicare workshop will be held January 27th to help you get the answers to all of these and more, but where else can you find reliable information about Medicare?
The ‘Medicare and You’ handbook is the official U.S. government Medicare handbook. The handbook is a summary of Medicare benefits, coverage options, rights and protections, and answers to the most frequently asked questions. You can order a paper or Braille handbook by calling 1-800-633-4227. Other electronic versions of the handbook include PDF, e-book, and audio, all are available at medicare.gov under resources.
Another reliable resource is the Kansas Insurance Department. On the website, insurance.kansas.gov/medicare/, you will find a Medicare Supplement Shopper’s Guide in PDF format and an online Medicare supplement comparison tool. This is a great way to price compare a variety of Medigap plans, companies, and estimated prices to narrow down decisions.
Social Security handles enrollment for Original Medicare (Parts A and B). There is a variety of publications online to help guide you through Medicare Benefits at ssa.gov/benefits/medicare/.
Each state has a health insurance assistance program to provide free help to Medicare beneficiaries who have question. The Kansas program is administered through the Kansas Department of Aging and Disability and is called SHICK, Senior Health Insurance Counseling for Kansas. Certified volunteers provide free one-to-one counseling and educational programs to help Medicare beneficaries gain the knowledge they need to make informed decisions about health insurance. SHICK does not sell insurance or endorse any insurance company, product, or agent. To find a counselor near you, call 1-800-860-5260.
New to Medicare workshop through Zoom will be held Wednesday, January 27th at 6 p.m. The program is free, registration required: http://bit.ly/SouthwindMedicare. The program will walk you through the basics of Medicare to provide a foundation of information to help you navigate the decision making process. The workshop is taught by Joy Miller, Certified SHICK Counselor. For more information, call 620-223-3720 or e-mail [email protected].
Kansas Archeology Training June 4-20 in Shawnee County
Kansas Archeology Training Program Field School
to Be Held in Shawnee County:
Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site
June 4-20, 2021
TOPEKA—The Kansas Historical Society and the Kansas Anthropological Association announced on Jan. 8 that the Kansas Archeology Training Program (KATP) will be held at Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site, in Topeka. The annual field school will partner with the park and the National Park Service’s Midwest Archeological Center (MWAC). The park includes the Monroe Elementary School and commemorates the 1954 U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to end the nation’s legal segregation. The landmark victory for civil rights in America helped to inspire the American Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s and 1960s. The national historic site is located where Monroe Elementary School was built in 1927 and the previous Monroe School was built in 1874. Both were intended as segregated schools for Black children, one of four in Topeka, until the 1954 court decision.
The goal of the 2021 KATP is to expand on knowledge of the school property from the early years when it was purchased by John Ritchie in 1855 and later when the current Monroe school was built. The field school will be an opportunity to explore some of the structures buried on the property that once stood near the earlier Monroe school. Little information in known regarding the preservation of these structures. Through the use of archeology it is hoped to gain a better understanding of those who lived in the Monroe school neighborhood. This project will help tell of the crucial time between the Civil War and the Civil Rights eras that had a profound impact on people’s lives throughout the nation. Visitors to this national site are often unaware or unable to understand the property’s broader history prior to the 1954 court decision. Research goals will be shaped by input from the National Park Service to help assist them in telling this story and to gain more understanding about the community that surrounded this school.
The annual KATP field school is an opportunity for the public to work alongside professional and avocational archeologists in finding and excavating archeological sites and processing the resulting artifacts in the lab. No experience is necessary—just a desire to learn. Volunteers can attend for a few days or the entire 17 days of the field school. Participants must be at least 12 years old and children aged 12-17 must be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult. Classroom courses on archeology are also offered and can be taken for college credit through Emporia State University for an additional fee. Artifacts found at the site will be processed in the archeology laboratory at the Kansas Historical Society.
The registration fee for members of the Kansas Historical Society and the Kansas Anthropological Association is $35 for standard participants, $25 for participants 65 or older, $15 for all students currently enrolled at a middle school, high school, or college. There is no fee for students enrolled for college credit through Emporia State University. The nonmember fee is $90.
Registration will be available online through kshs.org from April 1-June 1, 2021. Registration is limited based on activity on a day-by-day basis.
A full schedule of evening programs will be held in Topeka; admission to the programs is free and open to the public. A tentative schedule of programs will be posted online. Find more online at kshs.org/14622.
For more information contact Nikki Klarmann, [email protected]; 785-272-8681, ext. 266; kshs.org/katp.
**Due to the current public health crisis, the KATP field school is subject to cancellation. This decision will be made prior to the opening of registration on April 1, 2021.**
