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[Senate Report 110-365]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]

                                                       Calendar No. 797
110th Congress                                                   Report
                                 SENATE
 2d Session                                                     110-365

======================================================================

 
           PRESERVE AMERICA AND SAVE AMERICA'S TREASURES ACT

                                _______
                                

                 June 16, 2008.--Ordered to be printed

                                _______
                                

   Mr. Bingaman, from the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, 
                        submitted the following

                              R E P O R T

                         [To accompany S. 2262]

    The Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, to which was 
referred the bill (S. 2262) to authorize the Preserve America 
Program and Save America's Treasures Program, and for other 
purposes, having considered the same, reports favorably thereon 
with an amendment and recommends that the bill, as amended, do 
pass.
    The amendment is as follows:
    Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert in lieu 
thereof the following:

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

  (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Preserve America and 
Save America's Treasures Act''.
  (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.

                    TITLE I--PRESERVE AMERICA PROGRAM

Sec. 101. Purpose.
Sec. 102. Definitions.
Sec. 103. Establishment.
Sec. 104. Designation of Preserve America Communities.
Sec. 105. Regulations.
Sec. 106. Authorization of appropriations.

               TITLE II--SAVE AMERICA'S TREASURES PROGRAM

Sec. 201. Purpose.
Sec. 202. Definitions.
Sec. 203. Establishment.
Sec. 204. Regulations.
Sec. 205. Authorization of appropriations.

                   TITLE I--PRESERVE AMERICA PROGRAM

SEC. 101. PURPOSE.

  The purpose of this title is to authorize the Preserve America 
Program, including--
          (1) the Preserve America grant program within the Department 
        of the Interior;
          (2) the recognition programs administered by the Advisory 
        Council on Historic Preservation; and
          (3) the related efforts of Federal agencies, working in 
        partnership with State, tribal, and local governments and the 
        private sector, to support and promote the preservation of 
        historic resources.

SEC. 102. DEFINITIONS.

  In this title:
          (1) Council.--The term ``Council'' means the Advisory Council 
        on Historic Preservation.
          (2) Heritage tourism.--The term ``heritage tourism'' means 
        the conduct of activities to attract and accommodate visitors 
        to a site or area based on the unique or special aspects of the 
        history, landscape (including trail systems), and culture of 
        the site or area.
          (3) Program.--The term ``program'' means the Preserve America 
        Program established under section 103(a).
          (4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of 
        the Interior.

SEC. 103. ESTABLISHMENT.

  (a) In General.--There is established in the Department of the 
Interior the Preserve America Program, under which the Secretary, in 
partnership with the Council, may provide competitive grants to States, 
local governments (including local governments in the process of 
applying for designation as Preserve America Communities under section 
104), Indian tribes, communities designated as Preserve America 
Communities under section 104, State historic preservation offices, and 
tribal historic preservation offices to support preservation efforts 
through heritage tourism, education, and historic preservation planning 
activities.
  (b) Eligible Projects.--
          (1) In general.--The following projects shall be eligible for 
        a grant under this title:
                  (A) A project for the conduct of--
                          (i) research on, and documentation of, the 
                        history of a community; and
                          (ii) surveys of the historic resources of a 
                        community.
                  (B) An education and interpretation project that 
                conveys the history of a community or site.
                  (C) A planning project (other than building 
                rehabilitation) that advances economic development 
                using heritage tourism and historic preservation.
                  (D) A training project that provides opportunities 
                for professional development in areas that would aid a 
                community in using and promoting its historic 
                resources.
                  (E) A project to support heritage tourism in a 
                Preserve America Community designated under section 
                104.
                  (F) Other nonconstruction projects that identify or 
                promote historic properties or provide for the 
                education of the public about historic properties that 
                are consistent with the purposes of this Act.
          (2) Limitation.--In providing grants under this title, the 
        Secretary shall only provide 1 grant to each eligible project 
        selected for a grant.
  (c) Preference.--In providing grants under this title, the Secretary 
may give preference to projects that carry out the purposes of both the 
program and the Save America's Treasures Program.
  (d) Consultation and Notification.--
          (1) Consultation.--The Secretary shall consult with the 
        Council in preparing the list of projects to be provided grants 
        for a fiscal year under the program.
          (2) Notification.--Not later than 30 days before the date on 
        which the Secretary provides grants for a fiscal year under the 
        program, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Energy 
        and Natural Resources of the Senate, the Committee on 
        Appropriations of the Senate, the Committee on Natural 
        Resources of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on 
        Appropriations of the House of Representatives a list of any 
        eligible projects that are to be provided grants under the 
        program for the fiscal year.
  (e) Cost-Sharing Requirement.--
          (1) In general.--The non-Federal share of the cost of 
        carrying out a project provided a grant under this title shall 
        be not less than 50 percent of the total cost of the project.
          (2) Form of non-federal share.--The non-Federal share 
        required under paragraph (1) shall be in the form of--
                  (A) cash; or
                  (B) donated supplies and related services, the value 
                of which shall be determined by the Secretary.
          (3) Requirement.--The Secretary shall ensure that each 
        applicant for a grant has the capacity to secure, and a 
        feasible plan for securing, the non-Federal share for an 
        eligible project required under paragraph (1) before a grant is 
        provided to the eligible project under the program.

SEC. 104. DESIGNATION OF PRESERVE AMERICA COMMUNITIES.

  (a) Application.--To be considered for designation as a Preserve 
America Community, a community, tribal area, or neighborhood shall 
submit to the Council an application containing such information as the 
Council may require.
  (b) Criteria.--To be designated as a Preserve America Community under 
the program, a community, tribal area, or neighborhood that submits an 
application under subsection (a) shall, as determined by the Council, 
in consultation with the Secretary, meet criteria required by the 
Council and, in addition, consider--
          (1) protection and celebration of the heritage of the 
        community, tribal area, or neighborhood;
          (2) use of the historic assets of the community, tribal area, 
        or neighborhood for economic development and community 
        revitalization; and
          (3) encouragement of people to experience and appreciate 
        local historic resources through education and heritage tourism 
        programs.
  (c) Local Governments Previously Certified for Historic Preservation 
Activities.--The Council shall establish an expedited process for 
Preserve America Community designation for local governments previously 
certified for historic preservation activities under section 101(c)(1) 
of the National Historic Preservation Act (16 U.S.C. 470a(c)(1)).
  (d) Guidelines.--The Council, in consultation with the Secretary, 
shall establish any guidelines that are necessary to carry out this 
section.

SEC. 105. REGULATIONS.

  The Secretary shall develop any guidelines and issue any regulations 
that the Secretary determines to be necessary to carry out this title.

SEC. 106. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

  There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this title 
$25,000,000 for each fiscal year, to remain available until expended.

               TITLE II--SAVE AMERICA'S TREASURES PROGRAM

SEC. 201. PURPOSE.

  The purpose of this title is to authorize within the Department of 
the Interior the Save America's Treasures Program, to be carried out by 
the Director of the National Park Service, in partnership with--
          (1) the National Endowment for the Arts;
          (2) the National Endowment for the Humanities;
          (3) the Institute of Museum and Library Services;
          (4) the National Trust for Historic Preservation;
          (5) the National Conference of State Historic Preservation 
        Officers;
          (6) the National Association of Tribal Historic Preservation 
        Officers; and
          (7) the President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities.

SEC. 202. DEFINITIONS.

  In this title:
          (1) Collection.--The term ``collection'' means a collection 
        of intellectual and cultural artifacts, including documents, 
        sculpture, and works of art.
          (2) Eligible entity.--The term ``eligible entity'' means a 
        Federal entity, State, local, or tribal government, educational 
        institution, or nonprofit organization.
          (3) Historic property.--The term ``historic property'' has 
        the meaning given the term in section 301 of the National 
        Historic Preservation Act (16 U.S.C. 470w).
          (4) Nationally significant.--The term ``nationally 
        significant'' means a collection or historic property that 
        meets the applicable criteria for national significance, in 
        accordance with regulations promulgated by the Secretary 
        pursuant to section 101(a)(2) of the National Historic 
        Preservation Act (16 U.S.C. 470a(a)(2)).
          (5) Program.--The term ``program'' means the Save America's 
        Treasures Program established under section 203(a).
          (6) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of 
        the Interior, acting through the Director of the National Park 
        Service.

SEC. 203. ESTABLISHMENT.

  (a) In General.--There is established in the Department of the 
Interior the Save America's Treasures program, under which the amounts 
made available to the Secretary under section 205 shall be used by the 
Secretary, in consultation with the organizations described in section 
201, subject to subsection (f)(1)(B), to provide grants to eligible 
entities for projects to preserve nationally significant collections 
and historic properties.
  (b) Determination of Grants.--Of the amounts made available for 
grants under section 205, not less than 50 percent shall be made 
available for grants for projects to preserve collections and historic 
properties, to be distributed through a competitive grant process 
administered by the Secretary, subject to the eligibility criteria 
established under subsection (e).
  (c) Applications for Grants.--To be considered for a competitive 
grant under the program an eligible entity shall submit to the 
Secretary an application containing such information as the Secretary 
may require.
  (d) Collections and Historic Properties Eligible for Competitive 
Grants.--
          (1) In general.--A collection or historic property shall be 
        provided a competitive grant under the program only if the 
        Secretary determines that the collection or historic property 
        is--
                  (A) nationally significant; and
                  (B) threatened or endangered.
          (2) Eligible collections.--A determination by the Secretary 
        regarding the national significance of collections under 
        paragraph (1)(A) shall be made in consultation with the 
        organizations described in section 201, as appropriate.
          (3) Eligible historic properties.--To be eligible for a 
        competitive grant under the program, a historic property shall, 
        as of the date of the grant application--
                  (A) be listed in the National Register of Historic 
                Places at the national level of significance; or
                  (B) be designated as a National Historic Landmark.
  (e) Selection Criteria for Grants.--
          (1) In general.--The Secretary shall not provide a grant 
        under this title to a project for an eligible collection or 
        historic property unless the project--
                  (A) eliminates or substantially mitigates the threat 
                of destruction or deterioration of the eligible 
                collection or historic property;
                  (B) has a clear public benefit; and
                  (C) is able to be completed on schedule and within 
                the budget described in the grant application.
          (2) Preference.--In providing grants under this title, the 
        Secretary may give preference to projects that carry out the 
        purposes of both the program and the Preserve America Program.
          (3) Limitation.--In providing grants under this title, the 
        Secretary shall only provide 1 grant to each eligible project 
        selected for a grant.
  (f) Consultation and Notification by Secretary.--
          (1) Consultation.--
                  (A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), the 
                Secretary shall consult with the organizations 
                described in section 201 in preparing the list of 
                projects to be provided grants for a fiscal year by the 
                Secretary under the program.
                  (B) Limitation.--If an entity described in 
                subparagraph (A) has submitted an application for a 
                grant under the program, the entity shall be recused by 
                the Secretary from the consultation requirements under 
                that subparagraph and subsection (a).
          (2) Notification.--Not later than 30 days before the date on 
        which the Secretary provides grants for a fiscal year under the 
        program, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Energy 
        and Natural Resources of the Senate, the Committee on 
        Appropriations of the Senate, the Committee on Natural 
        Resources of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on 
        Appropriations of the House of Representatives a list of any 
        eligible projects that are to be provided grants under the 
        program for the fiscal year.
  (g) Cost-Sharing Requirement.--
          (1) In general.--The non-Federal share of the cost of 
        carrying out a project provided a grant under this title shall 
        be not less than 50 percent of the total cost of the project.
          (2) Form of non-federal share.--The non-Federal share 
        required under paragraph (1) shall be in the form of--
                  (A) cash; or
                  (B) donated supplies or related services, the value 
                of which shall be determined by the Secretary.
          (3) Requirement.--The Secretary shall ensure that each 
        applicant for a grant has the capacity and a feasible plan for 
        securing the non-Federal share for an eligible project required 
        under paragraph (1) before a grant is provided to the eligible 
        project under the program.

SEC. 204. REGULATIONS.

  The Secretary shall develop any guidelines and issue any regulations 
that the Secretary determines to be necessary to carry out this title.

SEC. 205. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

  There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this title 
$50,000,000 for each fiscal year, to remain available until expended.

                                PURPOSE

    The purpose of S. 2262 is to establish the Save America's 
Treasures and Preserve America historic preservation programs 
within the Department of the Interior.

                          BACKGROUND AND NEED

    S. 2262 would provide statutory authority for two historic 
preservation programs which have been established 
administratively: The Preserve America and the Save America's 
Treasures programs.
    Save America's Treasures was established by Executive Order 
13072 on February 2, 1998, by President Clinton. It was 
originally founded as the centerpiece of the White House 
National Millennium Commemoration and as a public-private 
partnership that included the White House, the National Park 
Service, and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. 
Dedicated to the preservation and celebration of America's 
historic legacy, the Save America's Treasures program works to 
recognize and preserve the enduring national symbols of 
American tradition. Save America's Treasures' grants may be 
awarded by the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the 
Director of the National Parks Service, to Federal, State, 
local, and tribal government entities, educational 
institutions, and non-profit organizations through a 
competitive program. Grants may be awarded to preserve 
collections or historic properties that the Secretary 
determines are both nationally significant, and threatened or 
endangered. Approximately 50 percent of funds for the program 
are typically awarded by Department of the Interior as 
competitive grants and the remaining 50 percent are 
appropriated by Congress.
    Through Executive Order 13287 of March 3, 2003, President 
Bush established the Preserve America Initiative to promote the 
preservation of America's heritage by advancing the protection, 
enhancement, and contemporary use of the historic properties 
owned by the Federal Government, and by promoting 
intergovernmental cooperation and partnerships for the 
preservation and use of historic properties. The components of 
Preserve America include the designation of communities that 
protect and celebrate their heritage, grants awarded to support 
community efforts to demonstrate sustainable uses of their 
historic and cultural sites and the economic and educational 
opportunities related to heritage tourism, and Presidential 
awards to organizations, businesses, and government entities.
    Both the Preserve America Program and the Save America's 
Treasures Program have successfully preserved some of our 
nation's most important collections and historic properties. 
Although both programs have operated successfully, neither has 
been formally authorized. S. 2262 will provide a permanent 
authorization for both programs.

                          LEGISLATIVE HISTORY

    S. 2262 was introduced by Senators Domenici and Clinton on 
October 30, 2007. Senators Bingaman, Burr, Alexander, Martinez, 
Cochran, and Hutchison are cosponsors. The Subcommittee on 
National Parks held a hearing on the bill on April 9, 2008.
    At its business meeting on May 7, 2008, the Committee on 
Energy and Natural Resources ordered S. 2262 favorably 
reported, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, in open 
business session on May 7, 2008, by a voice vote of a quorum 
present, recommends that the Senate pass S. 2262, if amended as 
described herein.

                          COMMITTEE AMENDMENT

    During its consideration of S. 2262, the Committee adopted 
an amendment in the nature of a substitute. The amendment makes 
several clarifying changes and is explained in detail in the 
section-by-section analysis, below.

                      SECTION-BY-SECTION ANALYSIS

    Section 1 contains the short title, the ``Preserve America 
and Save America's Treasures Act'', and includes the table of 
contents.
    Title I establishes the Preserve America Program.
    Section 101 states that the purpose of the title is to 
authorize the Preserve America program, including a grant 
program administered by the Department of the Interior, 
recognition programs administered by the Advisory Council on 
Historic Preservation, and related efforts of Federal agencies.
    Section 102 defines key terms used in the title.
    Section 103(a) establishes the Preserve America Program in 
the Department of the Interior.
    Subsection (b) describes projects which are eligible to 
receive grants under the program.
    Subsection (c) states that the Secretary of the Interior 
may give preference in providing grants to projects that carry 
out the purposes of both the Preserve America and Save 
America's Treasures programs.
    Subsection (d) requires the Secretary to consult with the 
Advisory Council on Historic Preservation in preparing the list 
of projects to be provided with grants for each fiscal year.
    Subsection (e) requires that the non-Federal share of a 
project provided with a Preserve America grant must be at least 
50 percent of the total cost of the project.
    Section 104(a) provides that, to be considered as a 
``Preserve America Community,'' a community, tribal area, or 
neighborhood shall submit to the Advisory Council such 
information as the Council may require.
    Subsection (b) authorized the Advisory Council to establish 
criteria for communities to be designated as a Preserve America 
Community, and lists additional criteria the Advisory Council 
is to consider.
    Subsection (c) directs the Advisory Council to establish an 
expedited process for Preserve America community designation 
for local governments previously certified for historic 
preservation activities under section 101(c)(1) of the National 
Historic Preservation Act.
    Subsection (d) authorizes the Advisory Council, in 
consultation with the Secretary, to establish any guidelines 
that are necessary to carry out this section.
    Section 105 authorizes the Secretary to develop any 
guidelines and issue any regulations the Secretary determines 
necessary to carry out this title.
    Section 106 authorizes the appropriation of $25 million 
each year to carry out this title.
    Title II establishes the Save America's Treasures Program.
    Section 201 states that the purpose of the title is to 
authorize the Save America's Treasure's Program, to be carried 
out by the Director of the National Park Service, in 
partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts, the 
National Endowment for the Humanities, the Institute of Museum 
and Library Services, the National Trust for Historic 
Preservation, the National Conference of State Historic 
Preservation Officers, the National Association of Tribal 
Historic Preservation Officers, and the President's Committee 
on the Arts and the Humanities.
    Section 202 defines key terms used in the title.
    Section 203(a) establishes the Preserve America Program in 
the Department of the Interior.
    Subsection (b) provides that at least one-half of the 
grants made available for the program shall be for projects to 
preserve collections and historic properties, to be distributed 
through a competitive grant program administered by the 
Secretary.
    Subsection (c) authorizes the Secretary to establish 
requirements for applicants seeking Save America's Treasures 
grants.
    Subsection (d) lists criteria for collections or historic 
properties eligible to receive a grant.
    Subsection (e) lists the selection criteria for eligible 
collections or historic properties to receive a grant.
    Subsection (f) requires the Secretary to consult with the 
organizations described in section 201 in preparing the list of 
projects to be provided grants in each fiscal year.
    Subsection (g) requires that the non-Federal share of a 
project provided with a Save America's Treasures grant must be 
at least 50 percent of the total cost of the project.
    Section 204 authorizes the Secretary to develop any 
guidelines and issue any regulations the Secretary determines 
necessary to carry out this title.
    Section 205 authorizes the appropriation of $50 million 
each year to carry out this title.

                   COST AND BUDGETARY CONSIDERATIONS

    The following estimate of costs of this measure has been 
provided by the Congressional Budget Office:

S. 2262--Preserve America and Save America's Treasures Act

    Summary: S. 2262 would authorize appropriations totaling 
$75 million annually for two grant programs administered by the 
National Park Service (NPS). Assuming appropriation of the 
authorized amounts, CBO estimates that implementing S. 2262 
would cost about $300 million over the 2009-2013 period and $75 
million a year after 2013.
    The bill contains no intergovernmental or private-sector 
mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA) 
and would impose no costs on state, local, or tribal 
governments.
    Estimated cost to the Federal Government: The estimated 
budgetary impact of S. 2262 is shown in the following table. 
The costs of this legislation fall within budget function 300 
(natural resources and environment).

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    By fiscal year, in millions of dollars--
                                                              --------------------------------------------------
                                                                2009    2010    2011    2012    2013   2009-2013
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  CHANGES IN SPENDING SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATION

Authorization Level..........................................      75      75      75      75      75       375
Estimated Outlays............................................      25      50      75      75      75       300
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Basis of estimate: For this estimate, CBO assumes that the 
legislation will be enacted near the end of fiscal year 2008 
and that authorized amounts will be provided as specified in 
the bill. Estimated outlays are based on historical spending 
patterns for the two programs.
    S. 2262 would permanently authorize the appropriation of 
$25 million a year for the Preserve America program and $50 
million a year for the Save America's Treasures program. 
Appropriations to those programs fund grants to states, local 
governments, and other eligible entities for historic 
preservation and similar activities. For fiscal year 2008, the 
NPS received appropriations totaling $20 million for the two 
grant programs.
    Intergovernmental and private-sector impact: S. 2262 
contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as 
defined in UMRA and would impose no costs on state, local, or 
tribal governments. The bill would benefit those governments by 
authorizing grants for historic preservation; any costs to 
those entities would be incurred voluntarily.
    Estimated prepared by: Federal Costs: Deborah Reis; Impact 
on State, Local, and Tribal Governments: Melissa Merrell; 
Impact on the Private Sector: MarDestinee Perez.
    Estimate approved by: Theresa Gullo, Deputy Assistant 
Director for Budget Analysis.

                      REGULATORY IMPACT EVALUATION

    In compliance with paragraph 11(b) of rule XXVI of the 
Standing Rules of the Senate, the Committee makes the following 
evaluation of the regulatory impact which would be incurred in 
carrying out S. 2262. The bill is not a regulatory measure in 
the sense of imposing Government-established standards or 
significant economic responsibilities on private individuals 
and businesses.
    No personal information would be collected in administering 
the program. Therefore, there would be no impact on personal 
privacy.
    Little, if any, additional paperwork would result from the 
enactment of S. 2262, as ordered reported.

                   CONGRESSIONALLY DIRECTED SPENDING

    S. 2622, as ordered reported, does not contain any 
congressionally directed spending items, limited tax benefits, 
or limited tariff benefits as defined by rule XLIV of the 
Standing Rules of the Senate.

                        EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS

    The testimony provided by the National Park Service at the 
April 9, 2008, hearing on S. 2262 follows:

  Statement of P. Lynn Scarlett, Deputy Secretary, Department of the 
                                Interior

    Mr. Chairman and Members of the Committee, thank you for 
inviting me to appear before you today to present the 
Department of the Interior's views on S. 2262, the Preserve 
America and Save America's Treasures Act. I would also like to 
thank the sponsors of the bill in both the Senate and the House 
for introducing this important legislation. The administration 
strongly supports enactment of S. 2262.
    The historic and cultural structures and sites in 
communities throughout the country serve as the backdrop to the 
stories of our past and inspire the future. To help ensure that 
future generations will have the opportunity to experience our 
past and appreciate our identity as communities and as a 
Nation, across America people are adapting places once used in 
bygone eras to modern purposes, as community attractions, 
places of work, and educational centers. With these efforts, we 
are preserving our Nation's culture, history and identity both 
for the benefit of future generations and for the enjoyment of 
citizens and visitors today. Citizens in communities across 
America are the engine behind this historic preservation. 
Through a variety of Federal stewardship programs, these 
efforts have expanded and flourished. Chief among these 
programs are the complementary Preserve America and Save 
America's Treasures programs.
    Established in 2003, Preserve America is an Administration 
initiative that encourages and supports community efforts to 
preserve and enjoy the country's cultural and natural heritage. 
Preserve America fosters reuse and interpretation of cultural 
resources that form the social, educational and economic fabric 
of communities. The goals of the initiative include a greater 
shared knowledge about our Nation's past, strengthened regional 
identities, and increased local participation in preservation 
efforts.
    Consider just a few examples of how communities throughout 
the country are putting these grant dollars to work. In Fort 
Smith, Arkansas, local leaders and organizations are developing 
a marketing plan to promote the historically significant 
central city area to developers, investors, business, and 
tourists sparked by a $47,000 Preserve America grant. 
Organizers in Gastonia, North Carolina are applying a $29,500 
Preserve America grant to the Preserving and Promoting 
Gastonia's Heritage project. With these funds, Gastonia will 
produce wayfinding signs, a walking-tour brochure and updated 
Gastonia Downtown website to promote Gastonia as a heritage and 
cultural tourism destination. The people of Burlington, Vermont 
are developing a web-based guide to Burlington's cultural and 
historic resources for travelers, planners and educators with a 
$94,000 Preserve America grant to promote their unique 
heritage.
    The Preserve America program has been well received by 
States and is generating tangible preservation outcomes. For 
example, communities in Colorado's southeastern plains, 
devastated by job loss, are looking to heritage tourism as a 
means of revitalization. A $130,000 Preserve America grant to 
the Colorado Historical Society (in association with the 
statewide nonprofit, Colorado Preservation, Incorporated) 
created a partnership among several counties to develop a 
regional planning and marketing program. The effort has helped 
connect a host of local historic and prehistoric sites, 
including the largest dinosaur track site in North America, and 
fostered cooperation among federal, state, and local officials, 
business owners, and non-governmental organizations. In 
addition, the participating counties have been designated as a 
pilot project for Colorado's newly created Heritage Tourism 
Initiative. The Preserve America funding, matched by the State 
of Colorado, has also leveraged an additional $355,500 in 
financial support from local foundations, the counties, and 
other entities.
    Preserve America does not fund construction, 
rehabilitation, or restoration of historic resources. Rather, 
it supports planning and development of activities and programs 
in heritage tourism, adaptive re-use, and ``living history'' 
programs that may be usefully replicated across the country. 
Perhaps most important, it helps to provide needed support for 
communities (including municipalities, urban neighborhoods, 
counties, and tribal communities) to fully realize and sustain 
preservation's benefits.
    Six years ago, the Preserve America initiative was a 
concept on paper. Today, thanks, in part, to the tremendous 
efforts of John Nau, Chairman of the Advisory Council on 
Historic Preservation and co-chair of Preserve America, over 
600 Preserve America communities representing all 50 states 
enhance their historic and cultural assets through heritage 
tourism, education, and preservation. Through John's 
creativity, the initiative now includes a grant program to 
support heritage tourism, an award program to honor outstanding 
partners in historic preservation, and a national history-
teacher-of-the-year award. These accomplishments could not have 
occurred without John Nau's vision, tireless focus on 
implementation, and ability to inspire partners across the 
Nation. While we recognize that in the interest of time 
Chairman Nau is not testifying before you today, the ACHP has 
prepared a Statement for the Record that I urge you to also 
carefully consider as you review this important legislation.
    The Save America's Treasures (SAT) grant program is 
dedicated to the preservation and celebration of America's 
priceless historic legacy. The program also complements the 
planning and development support of preservation offered by 
Preserve America. The SAT grant program funds ``bricks and 
mortar'' improvements to important cultural and historic 
landmarks and irreplaceable collections in every corner of the 
country. This national effort, created by Executive Order in 
1998, recognizes and protects America's threatened cultural 
treasures, including historic structures, collections, works of 
art, and maps and journals that document and illuminate the 
history and culture of the United States.
    These competitive grants encourage sustainable historic 
resource management and make these enduring symbols of the 
American tradition more accessible to scholars and the public 
through exhibits, traditional publications, and Web sites. The 
Save America's Treasures grants have educated the public on 
preservation challenges at the buildings, sites, monuments, 
objects and documents that represent America's diverse cultural 
legacy and supported preservation of historic collections and 
properties.
    Over 1,000 Save America's Treasures matching grants have 
been, or are in the process of being, awarded to Federal 
agencies, State, local and tribal governments, and nonprofit 
institutions. Administered by the National Park Service, grants 
are awarded competitively, with individual projects only 
eligible for one grant, and with all grants requiring a dollar 
for dollar local match.
    Among the accomplishments of the Save America's Treasures 
grant program is rehabilitation of the Sheridan Inn in 
Sheridan, Wyoming, once leased by William F. (``Buffalo Bill'') 
Cody, and which served as an audition and planning venue for 
many of his Wild West shows. Numerous other notables have 
stayed at the Inn, including Herbert Hoover, Ernest Hemingway, 
Will Rogers, and Bob Hope. The 1892 inn, a National Historic 
Landmark, received a 2006 SAT grant of $400,000 from the 
National Park Service's Historic Preservation Fund to correct 
structural deterioration.
    In 2007, the Old Mississippi State Capitol, Mississippi 
Department of Archives and History, in Jackson, Mississippi, 
received a 2007 SAT's grant of $525,000 to restore the roof and 
repair water damage, both results of hurricanes Katrina and 
Rita. The Old Capitol is a masterpiece of 19th-century Greek 
Revival architecture and is the oldest building in Jackson.
    Finally, Schooner Ernestina, in New Bedford, Massachusetts, 
received a SAT's grant of $500,000 to rehabilitate the ship and 
return her to sailing condition. The vessel will operate as a 
sailing school and passenger ship. This National Historic 
Landmark ship is the oldest surviving Grand Banks fishing 
schooner and one of only two surviving 19th century Gloucester-
built fishing schooners.
    Together, these programs generate community partnerships, 
economic and educational opportunities, and the promotion of 
historical and cultural tourism. Both Preserve America and Save 
America's Treasures promote better coordination and, therefore, 
greater efficiencies in meeting existing preservation needs. 
They also expand future opportunities by allowing local 
stakeholders to determine which strategies best meet their 
goals.
    S. 2262 would authorize both the Preserve America and the 
Save America's Treasures programs, making them permanent 
resources for citizens and civic organizations engaged in 
historic preservation activities. Since their creation, both 
programs have been sustained through the annual appropriations 
process. However, without permanent authorization, they lack 
the foundation for sustained success. Without the ``stamp of 
legitimacy'' achieved by the Congressional legislative process, 
both programs, despite their records of success, remain 
vulnerable to termination. The legislation would 
institutionalize the Preserve America and Save America 
Treasures programs and cement them as permanent tools for 
protecting our Nation's cultural resources.
    The results are clear. Both programs have demonstrated 
significant on-the-ground success in fostering preservation 
partnerships, leveraging private dollars with public funds, and 
sustaining efficient resource management strategies and sound 
business practices in the preservation of our heritage assets. 
These grants and designations give citizens in communities 
across the country good reason to say ``Welcome to my town!'' 
They provide communities greater opportunity to realize 
economic development through historic preservation and the 
celebration of the rich heritage and unique stories of the 
American experience.
    Thank you again for the opportunity to testify on these 
programs and this legislation. I would be happy to answer any 
questions.

                        changes in existing law

    In compliance with paragraph 12 of rule XXVI of the 
Standing Rules of the Senate, the Committee notes that no 
changes in existing law are made by the bill, S. 2262, as 
ordered reported.

                                  
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