[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 26 (Thursday, February 17, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Pages S808-S809]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           TRIBUTE TO PADUCAH

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I wish to recognize the people of 
Paducah, KY, for all of the efforts they have made to make their city 
one of our country's best places in which to work, visit or live. Now 
that hard work has paid off. Paducah has been recognized by the 
National Trust for Historic Preservation as one of their Dozen 
Distinctive Destinations in America in 2011.
  The National Trust for Historic Preservation seeks to recognize 
cities and towns that offer an authentic cultural and recreational 
experience. They take into account a community's commitment to the 
historic preservation and revitalization of its downtown, its rich 
cultural history, attractive architecture and a town's core character. 
Obviously, I think Paducah ranks highly in all of these criteria, and I 
am glad the National Trust for Historic Preservation, after considering 
thousands of communities across the Nation, agrees.
  The history of Paducah is a history of life on the river. Paducah was 
originally settled because of its strategic position on the Ohio River, 
and traffic on the Ohio and the Tennessee River drove its economic 
development. As rivers were America's original highways, Paducah was 
founded on vital arteries of trade and commerce.
  That history is still alive in Paducah because of the hard work of 
many to preserve their city's heritage. For years I have worked along 
with local leaders to enhance some of the city's greatest attributes; 
namely, Paducah's downtown and riverfront. Paducah is now a vibrant 
river town. I would encourage my colleagues, the next time they are 
planning a vacation, to keep Paducah in mind.

  The National Quilt Museum of the United States, the River Discovery 
Center, the Lower Town Arts District, the Upper Town Heritage Walking 
Tour, and much more await them there. I will point out that the 
National Trust for Historic Preservation also recently named Paducah as 
having one of the most romantic main streets in America.
  The Paducah Sun recently published an article about this high honor 
received by the city.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the full article be 
printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

                  [From paducahsun.com, Feb. 15, 2011]

                   City Named Distinctive Destination

                           (By Will Pinkston)

       Paducah keeps adding awards to its trophy shelf, as the 
     city was named one of the 2011 Dozen Distinctive Destinations 
     in America by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
       Since 2000, the National Trust for Historic Preservation 
     annually selects communities across America that offer 
     cultural and recreational experiences setting them apart from 
     typical vacation destinations. Consideration for this honor 
     comes with communities exhibiting a commitment to historic 
     preservation and revitalization of their downtown centers, 
     displaying their diverse cultural history and architecture, 
     and showing efforts to implement sustainable ``green'' 
     concepts.
       ``This is an incredible honor to be named by the national 
     trust,'' said Rosemarie Steele, marketing director for the 
     Paducah Convention and Visitors Bureau. ``There's strong 
     criteria for qualifications and we've met all of them.''
       Steele said several factors helped to put Paducah in the 
     running for the trust's honor.
       ``Paducah's history is really rich in the diversity and the 
     prosperity of being a river town,'' Steele said. ``The spirit 
     of the people who decided to save and preserve downtown, 
     which started years ago, and kept the moment alive, have made 
     us a vibrant river town.''
       The trust considered Paducah attractions, such as the 
     National Quilt Museum of the United States, the annual Quilt 
     Show, the River Discovery Center, the Lower Town Arts 
     District and Upper Town Heritage Walking Tour.
       ``(The National Trust for Historic Preservation) wants to 
     know what the hidden gems are, like all the creative 
     experiences we have,'' Steele said. ``More than 5,000 people 
     learn their craft in Paducah, not just quilting, but the 
     arts, throughout lower town.''
       The National Trust for Historic Preservation also 
     considered the city's ``walkability,'' according to Steele, 
     with many of Paducah's historic and cultural attractions 
     centered within only a few blocks of one another.
       ``Paducah celebrates its past in a wide variety of ways, 
     from protecting and restoring landmark buildings to 
     commissioning artists to create life-sized historic murals,'' 
     said Stephanie Meeks, president of the National Trust for 
     Historic Preservation.
       While being included on the Dozen Distinctive Destinations 
     list is an honor in itself,

[[Page S809]]

     the National Trust for Historic Preservation asks the public 
     to vote for the 2011 fan favorite on its website. Voters may 
     cast ballots once daily through March 15. The winner will be 
     announced March 16. Last year's fan favorite community was 
     Marquette, Mich.
       ``We're really excited about the voting and we think we can 
     win this one,'' Steele said. ``We're hoping to get a whole 
     lot of help from the community to help us become the 
     distinctive destination and fan favorite.''
       Paducah's appearance on the trust's Dozen Distinctive 
     Destinations list comes on the heels of it being named as 
     having one of the most romantic main streets in America just 
     this past week, Steele said. Towns from across the country 
     submitted five photographs that best illustrated why their 
     main street and downtown districts should be considered among 
     the most romantic in the country; Paducah was included in the 
     top five, alongside towns in Louisiana, Tennessee, 
     Connecticut and Indiana.
       ``The beautiful thing about all of this is it really puts 
     us in front of so many people through the national trust,'' 
     Steele said. ``These honors will resonate with so many people 
     who are considering on moving here.''
       To vote for the Dozen Distinctive Destinations fan 
     favorite, visit www.preservationnation.org/ddd/.

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Ms. CANTWELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so 
ordered.

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