[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 20]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 28476]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




        REMARKS ON H.R. 1483, CELEBRATING AMERICA'S HERITAGE ACT

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                           HON. RUSH D. HOLT

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 25, 2007

  Mr. HOLT. Madam Speaker, yesterday I voted in favor of H.R. 1483, the 
Celebrating America's Heritage Act.
  I am pleased to support this legislation which creates six new 
national heritage areas and reauthorizes nine additional heritage 
areas, including one in my home State of New Jersey.
  Since 1988, the New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail, stretching roughly 
300 miles from Perth Amboy to Cape May and west along the Delaware Bay 
to Deepwater, has been successful in encouraging New Jersey residents 
and visitors alike to explore the State's coastal resources and 
culture.
  For nearly 20 years, the New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail has played 
a key role in preventing overdevelopment of the Nation's most densely 
populated State. The trail has helped preserve a wide variety of 
natural resources and historical landmarks including bird sanctuaries, 
wildlife refuges and lighthouses. It has helped boost tourism and 
economic activity and has provided countless visitors with enjoyable 
and interesting opportunities for recreation.
  Whether visiting the Nation's oldest operating lighthouse at Sandy 
Hook, canoeing on a fresh water creek in Double Trouble State Park, 
shopping at the 200-year-old fishing village of Belford, or taking in 
the view from Mount Mitchill, the highest point on the eastern 
seaboard, the New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail offers something for 
everyone to enjoy.
  National Heritage Areas provide great opportunities for Americans to 
experience the history and culture of a particular State or region. My 
Central New Jersey district is home to the Crossroads of the American 
Revolution National Heritage Area. This heritage area protects and 
promotes more than 250 historic sites. On October 12, 2006, I was proud 
to see the Crossroads National Heritage Area signed into law by the 
President. I hope that with the passage of this bill and eventual 
signature of the President, many of my colleagues will get to 
experience similar pride with the creation of national heritage areas 
in their districts for the benefit of their constituents.
  Many of these National Heritage Areas do not receive money from the 
Federal Government alone. The New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail, for 
example, receives only a third of its funding from the Federal 
Government. Our investments in National Heritage Areas are often 
matched by State and local governments as well as the private sector.
  Madam Speaker, H.R. 1483 will enable millions of Americans to visit 
and treasure heritage areas in their home State and across the Nation. 
I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this important piece of 
legislation.

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