Rich Neal: “Mr. Chairman, I oppose the amendment. The proposal by the gentleman from Arkansas is unwise, and it is unwarranted. I…”

“Mr. Chairman, I oppose the amendment. The proposal by the gentleman from Arkansas is unwise, and it is unwarranted. I rise in opposition to the Hutchinson amendment and offer my support for the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Since the Trust was chartered by this Congress in 1949, the Federal money allocated to the Trust has been effectively used as seed money and has nearly quadrupled through private donations. These funds help to finance a series of programs aimed at teaching communities revitalization and economic growth through preservation. These programs have proven to be tremendously successful, creating thousands of new jobs and businesses, and financing restoration and renovation projects in distressed communities throughout the country. An excellent example of this work that the Trust has done would be found in the city of Northampton, Massachusetts, where the First Church of Northampton have duly received assistance. It has helped not only to support efforts to support the church, but also to repair the stonework, to repair the roof, and to make the 117-year-old building fully accessible to the public.”