the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, along the Route 
15 corridor in Maryland, looping to Harpers Ferry, 
West Virginia, back to the Route 15/20 corridor 
area to Monticello in Albemarle County in the Com-
monwealth of Virginia. 
(2) Included among the numerous historically 
significant sites, structures, battlefields, and districts 
are 8 homes of former United States Presidents, the 
largest concentration of Civil War battlefields in the 
country, the greatest concentration of rural historic 
districts in the country, 13 National Historic Land-
marks, 2 World Heritage Sites, 15 Main Street 
Communities, 13 National Park Units, and 47 His-
toric Districts, and the largest concentration of 
Rural Historic Districts in the country, which are 
collectively and individually of national significance 
in the early history of our Nation. 
(3) In 1996, a collaborative public-private part-
nership effort, including the National Trust for His-
toric Preservation, the National Park Service, Scenic 
America, private citizens, and a 4 State coalition of 
local and regional governmental and private sector 
organizations began work to assess historic sites 
along the Route 15 Area. The initiative issued a 
comprehensive study of significant sites and struc-
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
00:40 May 02, 2006
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5195.IH
H5195
cprice-sewell on PROD1PC66 with BILLS
tures (cataloguing over 7,000 buildings already on 
the National Register of Historic Places) in the Her-
itage Area associated with Native American, African 
American, European American, Colonial American, 
Revolutionary, and Civil War history, and concluded 
that the sites possess historical, cultural, and archi-
tectural value of national significance and retain a 
high degree of historical integrity. 
(4) The preservation and interpretation of the 
sites within the Heritage Area will make a vital con-
tribution to the understanding of the development 
and heritage of the United States of America for the 
education and benefit of present and future genera-
tions. 
(5) The Secretary of the Interior is responsible 
for protecting the historical and cultural resources of 
the United States. 
(6) There are significant examples of those re-
sources within the Heritage Area that merit the in-
volvement of the Federal Government to develop 
programs and projects, in cooperation with the man-
agement entity, local, and State governmental bod-
ies, to adequately conserve, support, protect and in-
terpret this heritage. 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
00:40 May 02, 2006
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5195.IH
H5195
cprice-sewell on PROD1PC66 with BILLS
(7) Partnerships between Federal, State, and 
local governments, the regional entities of such gov-
ernments, the private sector, and citizenry offer the 
most effective opportunities for the enhancement 
and management of the historical sites throughout 
the 4 State Heritage Area to promote the cultural 
and historical attractions of the area for visitors and 
the local economy. 
(8) The Journey Through Hallowed Ground 
Partnership would be an appropriate management 
entity for a heritage area established in this region. 
(b) PURPOSE.—The purposes of the Journey 
Through Hallowed Ground National Heritage Area are— 
(1) to preserve, support, conserve, and interpret 
the legacy of the American history created along the 
Heritage Area; 
(2) to promote heritage, cultural and rec-
reational tourism and to develop educational and 
cultural programs for visitors and the general public; 
(3) to recognize and interpret important events 
and geographic locations representing key develop-
ments in the creation of America, including Native 
American, Colonial American, European American, 
and African American heritage; 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
04:05 May 02, 2006
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00005
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5195.IH
H5195
cprice-sewell on PROD1PC66 with BILLS