[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 104 (Wednesday, July 27, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1613]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         NATIONAL HISTORIC PRESERVATION ACT AMENDMENTS OF 2005

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. NICK J. RAHALL II

                            of west virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 26, 2005

  Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing legislation to 
reauthorize two important aspects of the National Historic Preservation 
Act. Specifically, my legislation will extend authorization for 
deposits into the Historic Preservation Fund through 2011 and will 
permanently authorize funding for the Advisory Council on Historic 
Preservation. In effect, we are extending authority for the money and 
expertise necessary for the Historic Preservation Act to continue 
fulfilling its purpose.
  Allowing the Act to continue fulfilling its purpose is critical. As 
Americans, we revere our past. The individuals, cultures, institutions 
and events which precede our arrival at this place and time provide 
insight not only into who we are today, but also who we aspire to be 
tomorrow. This is true for the brief 229-year history of this nation, 
the 513-year history of Europeans in North America, and it is 
especially true for the tens of thousands of years of Native American 
history on this land.
  Preserving this rich tapestry of cultures and traditions requires 
coordination of federal, state, local and private efforts. The 
centerpiece of federal historic preservation is the National Historic 
Preservation Act. Enacted in 1966, the Act provides an array of tools, 
as well as a funding source, which are central to preserving that which 
came before us.
  One of those tools is the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation 
which has two important roles under the Act. One is to assist the 
Secretary of the Interior in cataloguing and preserving known historic 
resources through the National Register of Historic Places and other 
programs. In addition, the Council assists all federal agencies in 
avoiding damaging or destroying historic resources through consultation 
under the Act. The Council is not empowered to control agency decision-
making or federal property.
  Last reauthorized for five years in 2000, the Council is made up of 
Agency heads and Presidential appointees with diverse backgrounds. My 
legislation recognizes the critical importance of the Council by 
providing it permanent authorization while also making several 
technical changes in the Council's make-up and operation.
  In addition, this bill will extend authorization for deposits into 
the Historic Preservation Fund for the next six years. The Fund is 
administered by the National Park Service and provides matching grants 
to states and territories for a variety of historic preservation 
programs including statewide historic preservation surveys and 
preservation plans. The Fund also provides matching grants to Indian 
Tribes, Alaskan Natives, Native Hawaiians and Historically Black 
Colleges and Universities for cultural heritage projects and the 
preservation of historic structures.

  The source for the Historic Preservation Fund is a small percentage 
of the enormous revenues generated by oil and gas development in the 
Outer Continental Shelf. This legislation would allow that funding to 
continue flowing into the Fund through 2011.
  Mr. Speaker, it is my hope that we can move forward quickly on this 
legislation to allow the Council and the Fund to continue working. This 
legislation is nearly identical to a companion bill in the Senate as 
well as legislation introduced in the previous Congress which received 
the support of the Advisory Council, the National Park Service, and the 
Historic Preservation Community.
  These are vital programs serving to preserve and protect the story of 
American and its people.

                          ____________________