Warnock Meets with Gullah Geechee Community Members, Visits Historic Harrington School

Last week, Senator Reverend Warnock met with Gullah Geechee community members at the historic Harrington School in St. Simons Island to discuss environmental health concerns, land ownership, and cultural preservation Community members discussed high levels of toxic chemicals found in the blood of Glynn County residents living near Brunswick Superfund sites Senator Reverend Warnock : “ Coastal Georgia families should not have to choose between their history or their health ” St. Simons, GA – Last Friday, U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) met with members of the Gullah Geechee community in St. Simons, Georgia to hear about challenges facing coastal Georgia communities. The Gullah Geechee are descendants of Africans who were enslaved along the coastal regions of the Southeast and have preserved cultural traditions and connections to the land. Senator Warnock discussed environmental health concerns, generational land ownership, and preservation of Gullah Geechee culture. The meeting was held at the Historic Harrington School, the last remaining African American schoolhouse on St. Simons Island. Senator Warnock toured the schoolhouse, viewing exhibits on the building’s history and Gullah Geechee culture. The schoolhouse, built in 1924, is the last remaining African American schoolhouse on St. Simons Island and a central site of Gullah Geechee heritage. Senator Warnock has requested $233,000 in congressionally directed spending to support the rehabilitation of the Harrington School. During the meeting, Senator Warnock discussed research examining the health impacts of Brunswick Superfund sites on the community. Research from Emory University found that these superfund sites have contributed to higher levels of toxic chemicals in the blood of Glynn County residents, compared to the general population. Senator Warnock questioned how living near these Superfund sites has affected the Gullah Geechee community’s sense of safety and connection to the local environment. “Coastal Georgia families should not have to choose between their history or their health,” said Senator Reverend Warnock. “I’m grateful to the Gullah Geechee community members who shared their experiences and ideas on how we can protect their health while preserving lands that have been passed down for generations.” The conversation also focused on economic pressures facing community members, as rising property taxes and the cost of living have driven Gullah Geechee families off their ancestral lands. Senator Warnock has made it a priority to lower the rising cost of everyday essentials like housing, gas, groceries, and childcare. Senator Warnock has been a longtime advocate for the Gullah Geechee community. He has introduced a bill to extend authorization for the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor and secured over $2.3 million for McIntosh County to improve emergency response following the Sapelo Island dock collapse. ###