Press Releases

U.S. Representative Don Beyer (VA-08) today led the Democratic Virginia Congressional delegation including Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, and Representatives Bobby Scott (VA-03), Jennifer McClellan (VA-04), Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10), Eugene Vindman (VA-07), and James Walkinshaw (VA-11), to request that the National Park Service (NPS) immediately return a Junior Ranger Program activity booklet to circulation in its original form ahead of America 250 events, which are expected to bring millions of visitors to Virginia and the National Capital Region.

According to an NPS database, the Junior Ranger activity booklet was flagged and removed pursuant to the June 2025 National Park Service directive ordering the review of public-facing historical materials for including the following line: “In 1829, Robert E. Lee promised to serve in the Army and protect the United States. In 1861, he broke his promise and fought for slavery.” In requesting that the booklet be immediately returned to circulation in its original form, the lawmakers emphasized that the booklet’s language regarding General Robert E. Lee is factually accurate and necessary to telling the complete story of Arlington House and the American Civil War.

The lawmakers also requested a full accounting of any interpretive materials, exhibits, signage, or educational resources that have been removed or altered at Virginia national park sites pursuant to the June 2025 memorandum.

In a letter to Acting NPS Director Jessica Bowron, the lawmakers wrote:

Dear Acting Director Bowron:

As Members of Congress representing the Commonwealth of Virginia, we write to ask that you return to circulation a Junior Ranger Program activity book that has been reportedly taken out of circulation at Arlington House. As we approach America 250 celebrations that will center around our nation’s capital, it is essential that all families and other visitors who choose to make Arlington House part of their commemoration of this important milestone have full access to educational materials created to tell the story of this important Virginia site.

Pursuant to a memo that you issued in June 2025, every NPS unit was directed to review all public signage, language, and historical resources to remove or change any that are subjectively negative about either past or living Americans. According to an NPS database, the Junior Ranger booklet was flagged for including the following line: “In 1829, Robert E. Lee promised to serve in the Army and protect the United States. In 1861, he broke his promise and fought for slavery.”

That phrase, along with the rest of the booklet, is not only historically accurate, but also important to understanding the context of the site. Robert E. Lee graduated from West Point in 1829. Upon commissioning into the United States Army, he took an oath that required him to “bear true allegiance to the United States of America” among other commitments to public service. Contrary to that oath, he resigned from the U.S. Army in 1861, and proceeded to take up arms in a war intended to break the United States and preserve the institution of slavery. Lee not only resigned his commission, but betrayed his oath by participating in armed rebellion against the United States government. Explaining that decision by Lee is essential to telling the story of Arlington House, which was acquired by the federal government soon after he resigned his commission and left Arlington to fight against the United States.

Given the upcoming America 250 events, we ask that you immediately return the Junior Ranger Program activity book to circulation, including all content prior to removal. Doing so will ensure that Arlington House is equipped to serve the many visitors who choose to make it part of their once-in-a lifetime historical and educational events this summer, and ensure access to age-appropriate educational content.

Additionally, we request that NPS provide our offices with a full accounting of any interpretive materials, including exhibits, signage, and Junior Ranger resources, that have been removed or altered at Virginia national park units pursuant to the June 2025 memorandum, and that NPS commit to notifying our offices prior to any future such changes. Ahead of America 250, Virginia’s national parks, which serve millions of visitors each year, are an invaluable resource for visitors to the Commonwealth. Any removal or significant alteration of educational materials at those sites risks undermining those sites and the complete, accurate, and historical resources they provide.

We request a commitment to meet those requests, as well as clarity on the Junior Ranger Program activity book, by June 2, 2026.

A signed copy of the letter is available here.