69–010 

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. 


hsrobinson on PROD1PC76 with HEARING
2 

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 ReVerDate Aug 31 2005 21:08 Jun 17, 2008 Jkt 069010 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6621 E:\HR\OC\SR365.XXX SR365

hsrobinson on PROD1PC76 with HEARING
3 

sources 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 AC- TIVITIES.—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. 


hsrobinson on PROD1PC76 with HEARING
4 

(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 


hsrobinson on PROD1PC76 with HEARING
5 

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 hisVerDate Aug 31 2005 21:08 Jun 17, 2008 Jkt 069010 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\SR365.XXX SR365

hsrobinson on PROD1PC76 with HEARING
6 

toric 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 sectionby-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. 


hsrobinson on PROD1PC76 with HEARING
7 

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. 


hsrobinson on PROD1PC76 with HEARING
8 

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. 


hsrobinson on PROD1PC76 with HEARING
9 

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, eduVerDate Aug 31 2005 21:08 Jun 17, 2008 Jkt 069010 PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6969 E:\HR\OC\SR365.XXX SR365

hsrobinson on PROD1PC76 with HEARING
10 

cational 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 nongovernmental 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 


hsrobinson on PROD1PC76 with HEARING
11 

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, MisVerDate Aug 31 2005 21:08 Jun 17, 2008 Jkt 069010 PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6969 E:\HR\OC\SR365.XXX SR365

hsrobinson on PROD1PC76 with HEARING
12 

sissippi, 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 


hsrobinson on PROD1PC76 with HEARING
13 

changes in existing law are made by the bill, S. 2262, as 

ordered reported. 

Æ 


hsrobinson on PROD1PC76 with HEARING