Floor Statement: Presidential Sites Improvement Act of 2005

FLOOR STATEMENT: PRESIDENTIAL SITES IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2005

Mr. Chairman, thank you for including S.431, the Presidential Sites Improvement Act, in this afternoon's hearing. This legislation, which I introduced along with Senator Durbin, is an effort to honor the great men who have served as our former Chief Executives and have influenced the development of our Nation. This Act would create a new and innovative partnership with public and private entities to preserve and maintain Presidential sites, such as birthplaces, homes, memorials, and tombs.

Mr. Chairman, hands-on learning takes place when a child boards a bus for a field trip to visit historic sites. By touring the birthplace or home of the same individuals they have read about in the classroom, children gain a comprehensive appreciation of history. This type of learning can continue only through the preservation of the birthplaces, homes, memorials, and tombs of our former Presidents.

Family foundations, colleges and universities, libraries, historical societies, historic preservation organizations, and other non-profit organizations own the majority of these sites. These entities often have little funding and are unable to meet the demands of maintaining such important landmarks. Operating costs must be met before maintenance needs, and when these payments cannot be made, the sites slowly deteriorate.

I have visited many of the Presidential historic sites throughout my home state of Ohio -- a state that has been home to eight Presidents. During one such visit at the Ulysses S. Grant house, I found it disturbing to see the discoloration and falling plaster due to water damage. At the home of President Warren Harding, I noticed that the famous front porch where then-candidate Harding gave his campaign speeches was actually detached from the house.

Fortunately, we were able to obtain the funding to prevent these two historic treasures from deteriorating further. By providing federal assistance for maintenance projects today, we can help prevent larger problems tomorrow.

Mr. Chairman, these Presidential sites are far too important to let them silently decay. Our legislation would authorize grants, administered by the National Park Service, for maintenance and improvement projects on Presidential sites that are not federally owned or managed. A portion of the funds would be set aside for sites that are in need of emergency assistance. To administer the new program, this legislation would establish a five-member committee, including the Director of the National Park Service, a member of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and a state historic preservation officer. This committee would make grant recommendations to the Secretary of the Interior. Each grant would require a fifty percent non-federal dollar match. Up to $5 million would be made available annually.

Mr. Chairman, once again I would like to thank you for holding this hearing and I would like to thank Ms. Emily Wadhams, Vice President of Public Policy for the National Trust for Historic Preservation, for agreeing to testify on the importance of this legislation. I look forward to continuing to work with the Committee to pass this bill.

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