Durbin Asks Congress to DEsignate Southern Illinois Heritage Area

Floor Speech

DURBIN ASKS CONGRESS TO DESIGNATE SOUTHERN ILLINOIS HERITAGE AREA

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today introduced legislation to establish a National Heritage Area in Southern Illinois: the Land Between the Rivers. Designating land as a National Heritage Area makes federal grants available through the Department of Interior for historic preservation, education and economic development activities. Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) is a cosponsor.

"Southern Illinois played an important role during the Civil War and served as a strategic point during the westward expansion of the United States," said Durbin. "Designating the land between the rivers as a heritage area will help us preserve the beauty, history and culture of this land for visiting families to enjoy year after year."

The Land Between the Rivers Southern Illinois Heritage Area would encompass an area within the boundaries of the 17 southernmost counties: Randolph, Perry, Jefferson, Franklin, Hamilton, White, Jackson, Williamson, Saline, Gallatin, Union, Johnson, Pope, Hardin, Alexander, Pulaski, and Massac Counties. 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 mid- to late- 1800s.

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.

In February of this year, Congressmen Jerry Costello (D-IL) introduced companion legislation to Durbin's Land Between the Rivers National Heritage Area Act which is supported by 17 members of the Illinois delegation. The House Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Land held hearings on the House bill earlier this month. Durbin's Senate bill will be referred to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

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