[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 54 (Thursday, April 28, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4589-S4590]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. DURBIN (for himself and Mr. Obama):
  S. 973. A bill to establish the Abraham Lincoln National Heritage 
Area, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Energy and Natural 
Resources.
  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I rise today to submit legislation along 
with my colleague, Senator Barack Obama, to establish the Abraham 
Lincoln National Heritage Area in Illinois.
  Illinois has long been known as the ``Land of Lincoln.'' Reminders of 
the 16th President's legacy can be found throughout the State.
  Last week, Senator Obama and I attended the dedication of the Abraham 
Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield, IL. This 
wonderful new facility brings together the entire story of President 
Lincoln's life in a rich, unified experience.
  In the same spirit, our legislation would establish an Abraham 
Lincoln National Heritage Area, formally tying together the many 
Illinois natural, historic, cultural and recreational resources that 
have been touched by the life and influence of the Nation's greatest 
President. Establishing a Lincoln National Heritage Area will connect-
these scattered elements to provide a more cohesive experience of 
Lincoln's legacy for Illinoisans and visitors alike.
  The impact of the life and works of Illinois's favorite son extends 
far beyond the prairies of the Midwest.
  Not long ago, I sat in the United States House of Representatives and 
listened as the new president of Ukraine, the leader of his nation's 
peaceful Orange Revolution, spoke of his countrymen and women's dreams 
to live under a ``government of the people, for the people.''
  Just weeks before that, I was in the Green Zone in Baghdad and heard 
an official of the new Iraqi Government quote President Lincoln on the 
need for national unity.
  In a sense, the Land of Lincoln is anywhere that people dream of 
freedom and equality and opportunity for all.
  So the whole world would benefit, as the people of Illinois work to 
preserve Lincoln's history. And we invite the world to come to Illinois 
and learn not just about the history of this great

[[Page S4590]]

man, but also about what he can teach us today.
  The Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area will help spread that 
message for generations to come, to Americans, and to students of 
Abraham Lincoln everywhere on Earth.
  This bill is the Senate companion to legislation introduced by 
Representative Ray LaHood and endorsed by every member of the Illinois 
congressional delegation in the House of Representatives, as well as 
representatives from every part of the country.
  Senator Obama and I ask our colleagues to join with us in recognizing 
the richness of the Lincoln legacy by supporting the passage of this 
legislation.
                                 ______