Bill Overview
Title: To designate the El Paso Community Healing Garden National Memorial, and for other purposes.
Description: This bill designates the Healing Garden located at 6900 Delta Drive in El Paso, Texas, as the El Paso Community Healing Garden National Memorial.
Sponsors: Rep. Escobar, Veronica [D-TX-16]
Target Audience
Population: People interested or affected by national memorials and residents of El Paso, Texas
Estimated Size: 10000
- The bill designates a specific location, the El Paso Community Healing Garden, as a national memorial, which could particularly impact those who visit the garden including local residents, visitors, and tourists.
- Designating the garden as a national memorial may increase its national recognition and potentially lead to increased tourism or educational visits.
- The bill may also impact individuals associated with the management and maintenance of the garden and the surrounding community in El Paso.
- The designation reflects broader acknowledgment of the events commemorated by the memorial, including the victims, survivors, and affected families of the 2019 El Paso Walmart shooting.
Reasoning
- The main impact of this policy will be felt by the local residents of El Paso, particularly those who frequent the site or are involved in its maintenance.
- Broader U.S. public concern with commemoration of tragic events might only slightly impact their sense of wellbeing unless they have direct connections to El Paso or similar narratives.
- The limited budget constraints suggest minor infrastructure changes, mostly affecting visitors and stakeholders directly tied to the memorial.
- Many visitors external to El Paso might only see a minor change in perception or interest, with limited impact on wellbeing.
- The designation may have a significant symbolic impact, affecting descendants and directly affected families, potentially increasing their emotional wellbeing.
- Considering the size of El Paso, a high number of individuals may have indirect connections, leading to varied levels of impact across the community.
Simulated Interviews
Garden Maintenance Worker (El Paso, TX)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's meaningful to know that the garden will be recognized nationally.
- I hope it will bring more visitors, which might secure more funds and work hours for us.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Tourist (Austin, TX)
Age: 30 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think it might draw more national attention to El Paso, helping with more tourism.
- Noise around national memorials can be comforting, marking significance.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Retired School Teacher (El Paso, TX)
Age: 55 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Naming the garden a memorial respects our community's grief.
- It acknowledges our collective healing path.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Social Worker (Dallas, TX)
Age: 39 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Designations like this can offer closure and visibility for my clients.
- It's an important recognition, nationally.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Journalist (New York, NY)
Age: 25 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It could spark more national discourse, getting people to care more.
- Adds a layer for historic on-site storytelling in articles.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 8 |
Local Business Owner (El Paso, TX)
Age: 62 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It might bring more foot traffic, helping my business.
- National status is respected; it aids marketing initiatives.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
University Student (San Diego, CA)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Offers an excellent case study for my research.
- It will contribute to broader academic discourse on memorials.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Victim's Family Member (El Paso, TX)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Recognition by the nation feels affirming.
- It comforts us to know they won't be forgotten.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Tour Operator (Santa Fe, NM)
Age: 51 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Additional destinations like this can improve the cultural depth of travel tours.
- I see potential for educational tourism.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Historian (Chicago, IL)
Age: 37 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 9
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Designations contribute to preserving narratives and history.
- It's an academic interest in terms of cultural significance.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $500000 (Low: $300000, High: $800000)
Year 2: $400000 (Low: $250000, High: $700000)
Year 3: $400000 (Low: $250000, High: $650000)
Year 5: $450000 (Low: $300000, High: $750000)
Year 10: $500000 (Low: $350000, High: $850000)
Year 100: $500000 (Low: $350000, High: $850000)
Key Considerations
- The designation might require federal funding for maintenance and administrative support.
- Legal and administrative processes involved in the designation might involve compliance costs.
- The potential increase in tourism could foster community economic benefits.