[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 166 (Tuesday, October 30, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2283-E2284]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   CELEBRATING AMERICA'S HERITAGE ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. DAVID LOEBSACK

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 24, 2007

  Mr. LOEBSACK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 
1483, Celebrating America's Heritage Act. I thank Congressman Regula, 
Chairman Rahall, and their staff for their hard work on bringing this 
deserving and important legislation to the floor for full 
consideration. This bi-partisan legislation will authorize additional 
funding to existing National Heritage Areas, ensure adequate management 
of these areas, and establish six new Heritage Areas which enjoy broad 
community support.
  The National Heritage Area program is unique in that it involves 
whole communities in public/private partnerships to recognize, and 
appreciate our Nation's shared history for generations to come. I'm so 
pleased that both sides of the aisle support the goals of the National 
Heritage Area program. President Herbert Hoover said, ``Honor is not 
the exclusive property of any political party.'' This bill proves that 
honoring our past is also not the exclusive property of any political 
party.
  President Hoover, a native Iowan, was born in West Branch, Iowa on 
August 10, 1874. Thanks in part to the Silos and Smokestacks, or 
America's Agricultural Heritage Partnership program, President Hoover's 
birthplace, and other similar historic sites are preserved and included 
in the 37 county, 20,000 square mile

[[Page E2284]]

region of Iowa which showcases over 100 farms, agribusiness and 
heritage sites to a world wide audience.
  The Silos and Smokestacks program boasts over $1.2 million in Federal 
grants awarded with a match from our local Iowa communities of $8.3 
million. Of these grants, 27 were awarded to schools allowing 1,619 
students to learn about Iowa's heritage.
  With the increased funding authorized in this legislation for the 
existing National Heritage Areas, over 300,000 students in the Silos 
and Smokestacks area will have a chance to learn about Iowa's 
agricultural history and heritage. I urge my colleagues to support this 
culturally important legislation.

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