Ask Your Representative to Join Others in Signing On in Support of Preservation Funding
Last week, hundreds of preservationists visited decision makers on Capitol Hill in an effort to promote good preservation policy and restore funding that was cut from key preservation programs. The message was simple: Preservation equals Jobs.
Now, you can do your part to assist in these efforts. Ask your Representative to sign on to a preservation support letter directed to the leadership of the House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee. The letter, sponsored by Congressional Historic Preservation Caucus co-chairs Russ Carnahan (D-MO) and Mike Turner (R-OH), asks to restore funding to Save America’s Treasures at $25 million and Preserve America at $4.6 million. It also asks for additional support to core programs of the Historic Preservation Fund — $55 million for the State Historic Preservation Officers and $12 million for the Tribal Historic Preservation Officers. We couldn’t agree more with Representative Carnahan, who recently said, “I think it’s very shortsighted for the program [SAT] to be zeroed out…we know preservation works and creates jobs.”
Your action is needed now since the proposed FY 2011 budget terminates funding for Save America’s Treasures and Preserve America. These programs are proven drivers of economic development and have a successful track record of generating jobs. Failing to provide funding would be shortsighted since just last year Congress recognized the importance of these programs by permanently authorizing Save America’s Treasures and the Preserve America Grant Program.
Take Action Now
It is critical to get as many Representatives’ signatures as possible on the letter in order to demonstrate broad-based support for these instrumental preservation programs. E-mail today — the deadline for signatures is Monday, March 15th.