Today, Congressman Mike Turner (R-OH) and Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), co-chairs of the Historic Preservation Caucus, introduced the National Historic Preservation Amendments Act of 2015. This bipartisan legislation will extend the Historic Preservation Fund (HPF) which aids core historic preservation programs for 10 years. Congressman Turner has long been a proponent of historic preservation for Southwest Ohio and sites across the country.
“Today, I introduced the National Historic Preservation Amendments Acts of 2015. Our Southwest Ohio community is steeped in American history, and is home to multiple historic sites including the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park, which includes five National Historic Landmarks to commemorate the work of Orville and Wilbur Wright. Historic preservation stimulates private investment, spurs economic growth and creates jobs while revitalizing our communities and protecting our country’s cultural heritage,” said Congressman Turner.
“At the heart of every livable community is a sense of place and uniqueness. The Historic Preservation Fund protects our most treasured sites,” said Congressman Blumenauer. “In supporting projects across the country – including my home state of Oregon – the Historic Preservation Fund has helped Americans remember our past as they look to the future. Passage of this bill will do much in protecting and restoring our historic resources.”
Current cosponsors of the National Historic Preservation Amendments Act of 2015 are as follows:
Rep. Cynthia Lummis (WY-AL), Rep. Raul Grijalva (AZ-3), Rep. Chris Gibson (NY-19), Rep. Matthew Cartwright (PA-17), Rep. John Katko (NY-24), Rep. Niki Tsongas (MA-03), Rep. Ralph Abraham (LA-05), and Rep. Michael Fitzpatrick (PA-08).
Ohio’s 10th Congressional district has 205 registered historic sites, 44 registered historic districts, and 9 registered historic landmarks. Please see the attachment for a full list.
Historic Preservation Fund (HPF):
Created in 1976, the HPF derives its funding from Outer Continental Shelf leases rather than tax-payer dollars. The HPF achieves its preservation mission of documenting, preserving and utilizing America’s legacy of historic sites by providing funding to State and Tribal Historic Preservation Officers and through, at times, competitive grants to identify and rehabilitate historic resources. This essential support spurs job creating economic development and community revitalization making it an excellent dollar-for-dollar investment to foster economic growth.
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