[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 54 (Thursday, April 3, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E682-E683]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     INTRODUCTION OF THE ST. CROIX NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA STUDY ACT

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                       HON. DONNA M. CHRISTENSEN

                         of the virgin islands

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 3, 2003

  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce legislation 
to direct the Secretary of Interior to conduct a study of the 
suitability and feasibility of establishing the St. Croix National 
Heritage Area.
  According to the National Park Service, National Heritage Areas are 
places that are federally designated to preserve an important aspect of 
America's past and share it with visitors. They are generally started 
at the grassroots by community members who envision places where the 
best of the past becomes part of a sustainable future.
  National Heritage Areas are not living theme parks seeking to freeze 
places in time. They seek instead to conserve their special natural 
spaces and historic places as part of their communities' social and 
economic futures. The successful melding of past and future is the 
National Heritage Area challenge.
  The unique natural, historic and cultural resources of the island of 
St. Croix represent distinctive aspects of American heritage that are 
in my view, worthy of recognition and provide outstanding opportunities 
for recreational and educational opportunities.
  In introducing this bill I hope to utilize our spectacular natural 
and historic resources to spur economic development on my home island 
which badly needs it. As Interior Secretary Gail Norton noted during 
her visit to St. Croix: ``We certainly want to protect the wonderful 
environment here and to match that great environment with a thriving 
economy. Heritage tourism might be one option for St. Croix''.
  Mr. Speaker, there are currently 23 existing national heritage areas 
across 17 states. As the Ranking Democrat on the House National Parks 
and Public Lands Subcommittee, I can confirm that heritage areas are 
just one of a growing number of collaborative, community-based 
conservation strategies that have developed in recent years to 
identify, preserve, and interpret resources.

[[Page E683]]

  I urge my colleagues to support enactment of this legislation to 
provide for a study to determine the sustainability and feasibility of 
the island St. Croix becoming the 24th National Heritage Area.

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