[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 13 (Wednesday, February 9, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E189-E190]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 BILL INTRODUCTION: NORTHERN RIO GRANDE NATIONAL HERITAGE DESIGNATION 
                                  ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. TOM UDALL

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 9, 2005

  Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce 
legislation to establish the Northern Rio Grande National Heritage Area 
in the State of New Mexico. In the 107th session of Congress, an 
identical version of this bill was placed on the suspension calendar by 
the Chairman of the Resources committee and passed the full House by 
voice vote. New Mexico's two senators have introduced a companion bill 
in the Senate this Congress. I ask today that this bill receive swift 
passage through the House so New Mexicans call take additional steps to 
preserve and learn from our rich history.
  The establishment of the Northern Rio Grande National Heritage Area 
is a citizen-driven effort to protect the remaining significant 
resources representative of the Spanish and Pueblo colonial era in 
north-central New Mexico. The bill identifies the northern New Mexico 
counties of Rio Arriba, Santa Fe and Taos as a National Heritage Area--
an elite designation from Congress reserved for areas regarded as a 
significant resource.
  Northern New Mexico boasts many sites of historic and cultural 
significance. Our state is a blend of pueblo and Hispanic cultures, 
making it a very unique and special place in our country. This 
legislation would identify many of the sites that tell northern New 
Mexico's story, help preserve them and, in the process, allow them to 
be more thoroughly enjoyed by New Mexicans and visitors to our state. 
Preservation would directly lead to economic development of this area 
through enhanced tourism.
  The legislation creates a non-profit corporation governed by a 15- to 
25-member board of trustees charged with developing a management plan 
for the heritage area. The board will be comprised of representatives 
from the state, affected counties, tribes, cities and others. The 
corporation's plan would include recommendations for identifying, 
conserving and preserving cultural, historical and natural resources 
within the heritage area, along with strategies to promote tourism of 
the region's natural and cultural assets.
  The city of Espanola, the city of Santa Fe, Santa Fe County, Rio 
Arriba County, Taos County, La Jicarita Enterprise Community, the 
Chimayo Cultural Preservation Association, and the Eight Northern 
Pueblos support the Northern Rio Grande Heritage Area. I urge my

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colleagues to join with me and with these communities and organizations 
in support of this legislation.

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