[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 42, Number 18 (Monday, May 8, 2006)]
[Pages 830-831]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks on Presenting the Preserve America Presidential Awards

May 1, 2006

    Thank you all. Thanks for the introduction. [Laughter] Laura and I 
welcome you here to the White House. We are privileged to have some of 
our country's really great community leaders and preservationists here 
in the Rose Garden. This is a fitting place, we think, to honor those 
who work hard to preserve our Nation's history and protect the natural 
beauty of the country.
    This is a--this Rose Garden is one of America's historic treasures. 
I spend a lot of time mowing out here. [Laughter] The commitment of the 
folks here to preserve the unique treasures in your own communities 
means that you celebrate our Nation's history, and you help instill a 
love of our Nation's natural beauty for future generations. And that's 
why we have such an event, to encourage people to preserve and instill--
preserve what is important and instill love for the--for our natural 
treasures.
    I appreciate not only the First Lady of the United States being 
here, but I appreciate the first lady of Florida being here--mi cunada. 
Thank you. Give Brother my best. [Laughter] Tell him he's doing a fine 
job. [Laughter]
    I want to thank Administrator Steve Johnson of the EPA. Thank you 
for being here, Steve. Lynn Scarlett, who's the Acting Secretary of the 
Department of Interior; Fran Mainella, who is the Director of the 
National Park Service; and Senator Craig Thomas of Wyoming--thanks for 
coming. Appreciate you being here, Senator. Thanks for taking time out 
of your busy schedule.
    I appreciate Bruce Cole, who's the Chairman of the National 
Endowment for the Humanities, joining us. And it's good to see my old 
friend John Nau. He's the Chairman of the Advisory Council on Historic 
Preservation; he's the chairman of the Texas Historical Commission--and 
he's a fine lad. [Laughter] It's good to see Bobbie too. Thanks for 
coming. And we appreciate all the members of the Advisory Council on 
Historic Preservation. Thank you for serving. Thank you for your 
dedication to our country.
    Laura and I want every American to have a chance to learn about this 
country's history, and one of the best ways to do so is to visit our 
country's great historical landmarks. So in 2003, we created--actually, 
she created--she told me to create, which I did--[laughter]--the 
Preserve America Presidential Awards, to recognize outstanding 
contributions to America's cultural and natural heritage. By the 
efforts--their efforts, today's award winners have drawn tourists to 
historic sites and towns; they've revitalized communities and our 
natural spaces; and they've opened up new opportunities for learning.
    The first Preserve America award winner we honor this year is 
Mission San Luis. It's a project that has reconstructed the former 
Western capital of Spanish Florida in Tallahassee. The mission was 
burned to the ground over 300 years ago. And the State of Florida, in 
partnership with local and private groups, successfully recreated nearly 
every detail of the mission. The reconstruction team used original 
mission documents to ensure the highest level of historical accuracy. By 
their painstaking effort, they have helped Mission San Luis rise from 
the ashes to an educational, cultural, and historical resource 
reflecting Florida's beginnings. Congratulations, and welcome.
    Our second award recipient is the State of Maryland. Through a new 
program called Maryland Heritage Areas, the State is protecting areas of 
historical significance and increasing heritage, tourism, and 
educational opportunities. State and community leaders are investing in 
projects to highlight special parts of American history, including the 
location where Harriet Tubman's Underground Railroad helped slaves 
escape to the North, and Fort McHenry, the site that inspired Francis 
Scott Key to write America's National Anthem. And I appreciate the good 
folks of Maryland for highlighting the amazing sites you've got in your 
State. And welcome; thank you for coming.

[[Page 831]]

    Our third award recipient is a company named Tauck World Discovery, 
which is helping protect one of America's most precious natural 
resources. Since 2003, this company has been running an innovative 
volunteer program in Yellowstone National Park. Under this program, 
tourists who come to appreciate the scenic landscape can also help keep 
those vistas beautiful by contributing a good day's work. Pretty 
interesting concept, isn't it? Since the program began, guests have 
donated almost 10,000 hours of labor on projects throughout the park. By 
their good work, the good people at Tauck are inspiring Americans to 
lend a hand in preservation, and making sure that Yellowstone is a 
natural wonder for the years to come. And we welcome you both. Thank you 
for coming.
    Our fourth award recipient is Hampton Hotels. Probably surprises 
you, doesn't it? Under their ``Save-a-Landmark'' program, Hampton Hotels 
is helping communities rehabilitate roadside attractions along America's 
great highways. Their efforts have helped preserve landmarks along Route 
66, to restore the Jesse Owens Park in Alabama, to refurbish one of the 
country's classic theme parks in New Jersey, and to save the world's 
largest Santa Claus in Alaska. [Laughter] Each of these landmarks 
represents a piece of cultural and regional history. By saving them for 
future generations, they are helping to celebrate the diversity of 
America, and provide educational opportunities for families as they 
travel across our great land. Thank you very much; appreciate what 
you're doing. Congratulations.
    All of these award winners set such a wonderful example for our 
fellow citizens. You've taken the lead in preservation, and we 
appreciate it. You're showing what is possible when local citizens 
decide to make a difference in the community in which they live, and 
your work is preserving America for generations to come.
    And so Laura and I welcome you to the Rose Garden. We thank you for 
your efforts. May God continue to bless our country. Thank you all.

Note: The President spoke at 10:22 a.m. in the Rose Garden at the White 
House. In his remarks, he referred to Columba Bush, wife of Gov. Jeb 
Bush of Florida; Barbara ``Bobbie'' E. Nau, wife of Advisory Council on 
Historic Preservation Chairman John L. Nau III; and Robin Tauck, 
president and chief executive officer, and Arthur Tauck, chairman of the 
board, Tauck World Discovery. The transcript released by the Office of 
the Press Secretary also included the remarks of the First Lady, who 
introduced the President.