Durbin Meets with Secretary of Interior Nominee Dirk Kempthorne to Discuss Illinois Issues

DURBIN MEETS WITH SECRETARY OF INTERIOR NOMINEE DIRK KEMPTHORNE TO DISCUSS ILLINOIS ISSUES

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with Secretary of Interior Nominee, Governor Dirk Kempthorne (R-ID), to discuss issues related to the Department of Interior including the need for two National Heritage Areas in Illinois: the Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area and the Land Between the Rivers Heritage Area. Designating land as a National Heritage Area makes federal grants available through the Department of Interior for historic preservation, education and economic development activities.

In today's meeting, Durbin asked for Kempthorne's support of the Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area Act, which he introduced last year. The bill would authorize grants, to be distributed among 41 designated counties in central Illinois, for programs that would promote natural, historic, and cultural Illinois resources touched by Abraham Lincoln's legacy.

"Illinois, in both its physical and cultural landscapes, shaped Abraham Lincoln's character from youth to adulthood," said Durbin. "In his farewell address at Springfield, Lincoln said, 'To this place and the kindness of these people I owe everything.' Just as Illinois left its mark on the character of Abraham Lincoln, Lincoln left his lasting impressions on our state's artifacts, landscapes, buildings and folklore. Establishing a Lincoln National Heritage Area will bind these scattered elements into a tangible experience of Lincoln's legacy for Illinoisans and visitors alike."

Durbin also discussed his plans to introduce legislation that would designate an area within the boundaries of the 17 southernmost counties as the Land Between the Rivers Southern Illinois Heritage Area. Durbin noted that the historical features of the area, situated between the Mississippi and Ohio rivers, highlight the pivotal role Southern Illinois played militarily, socially, and politically during the Civil War.

"After the Lewis and Clark expeditions, the land between the rivers became famous for its beauty and agricultural abundance," said Durbin. "Southern Illinois not only played an important role in the history of the Civil War, it was a strategic meeting point for pioneers during the westward expansion of the United States. We want the families who plan to visit the area to enjoy the beauty, history and culture of this area and come back again and again."

The Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area includes the following counties in Central Illinois: Adams, Brown, Calhoun, Cass, Champaign, Christian, Clark, Coles, Cumberland, Dewitt, Douglas, Edgar, Fayette, Fulton, Greene, Hancock, Henderson, Jersey, Knox, LaSalle, Logan, McLean, McDonough, Macon, Macoupin, Madison, Mason, Menard, Montgomery, Morgan, Moultrie, Peoria, Piatt, Pike, Sangamon, Schuyler, Scott, Shelby, Tazwell, Vermillion, Warren and Woodford Counties.

The Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area includes the following sites: Lincoln Home National Historic Site, Lincoln Tomb State Historic Site, Lincoln's New Salem State Historic Site, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum, Thomas and Sara Bush Lincoln Log Cabin and Living History Farm State Historic Site, Mt. Pulaski, Postville State Historic Sites and Metamora Courthouse, Lincoln-Herndon Law Offices State Historic Site, David Davis Mansion State Historic Site, Vandalia Statehouse State Historic Site, Lincoln Douglas Debate Museum, Macon County Log Court House, Richard J. Oglesby Mansion, Lincoln Trail Homestead State Memorial, Governor John Wood Mansion, Beardstown Courthouse, Old Main at Knox College, Carl Sandburg Home State Historic Site, Bryant Cottage State Historic Site, Dr. William Fithian Home, and the Vermillion County Museum.

The Land Between the Rivers National Heritage Area would include areas in the following counties in Southern Illinois: Randolph, Perry, Jefferson, Franklin, Hamilton, White, Jackson, Williamson, Saline, Gallatin, Union, Johnson, Pope, Hardin, Alexander, Pulaski, and Massac Counties.

The Land Between the Rivers would include the following sites: Kincaid Mounds, Fort de Chartres, Kaskaskia, Fort Massac, Wilkinsonville Contonment, Lewis and Clark Sculpture, Flat Boat, Cave-in-Rock, Shawneetown Bank Building, Iron Furnace, Crenshaw "Slave House," Roots House, Lincoln-Douglas Debate, John A. Logan , Fort Defiance Planning Map, Mound City National Cemetery, and the Riverlore Mansion.

Last Wednesday, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee approved Kempthorne's nomination as Secretary of Interior on a voice vote. Kempthorne would replace Interior Secretary Gale Norton, who resigned in March. His nomination will now be sent to the full Senate for a vote.

http://durbin.senate.gov/record.cfm?id=255675&&