[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 74 (Wednesday, May 11, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E669]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





 CELEBRATING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ALABAMA HISTORICAL COMMISSION

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                           HON. BRADLEY BYRNE

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 11, 2016

  Mr. BYRNE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 50th 
Anniversary of the Alabama Historical Commission and the National 
Historic Preservation Act.
   On October 15, 1966, the National Historic Preservation Act was 
signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson. The legislation 
established the nation's legal framework for the protection and 
preservation of historic buildings, landscapes, and archaeological 
discoveries.
   My home state of Alabama played a key role in the creation of the 
National Historic Preservation Act. In fact, the book ``With Heritage 
So Rich,'' written by Alabama Congressman Albert Rains, drew attention 
to the importance of preserving historical sites throughout the nation 
and led to the creation of the Alabama Historical Commission.
   Over the last 50 years, the National Historic Preservation Act and 
the creation of the Alabama Historical Commission has had a profound 
impact on communities throughout Alabama and all across the United 
States. In the past year alone, the Alabama Historical Commission 
welcomed over 250,000 visitors to its historic sites and engaged more 
than 1,000 volunteers in 8,958 hours of service.
   The Federal Preservation Tax Incentives Program, created by the 
National Historic Preservation Act and implemented by the Alabama 
Historical Commission in my home state, is the largest federal program 
supporting historic preservation. The program has helped spur job 
creation, saved thousands of historic structures, and attracted 
billions of dollars in investment.
   The National Register of Historic Places, also created by the 
National Historic Preservation Act, contains more than 80,000 historic 
properties, with at least one place listed in almost every county in 
the United States.
   In Alabama, we are home to over 1,200 historic places including the 
Bottle Creek Site, the First Confederate Capitol, Fort Morgan, Fort 
Toulouse-Fort Jackson Park, Gaineswood, and the Freedom Rides Museum.
   This year, thousands of public, private, and nonprofit sector 
partners are commemorating the 50th anniversary of the National 
Historic Preservation Act throughout 2016 under the banner of 
``Preservation50.''
   Mr. Speaker, in order to remain an optimistic and hopeful nation, it 
is critical we understand our history and how we got to this point. So 
on their 50th Anniversary, I am proud to highlight the important impact 
of the Alabama Historical Commission and the National Historic 
Preservation Act.

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