Paul Tonko: “I thank the gentleman from Hawaii for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1049, the National Heritage…”

“I thank the gentleman from Hawaii for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1049, the National Heritage Area Act. I thank Chairman Grijalva and the staff of the committee for their longtime support and effort here. And I thank Ranking Member Bishop for recognizing the value of this legislation and working with us on this. The national heritage areas connect us, and perhaps more importantly, future generations with the voices and places that have shaped who we are as Americans. These sites deliver more than just a significant economic return; they help us reveal the diverse and sometimes hidden gems of our cultural heritage and fill us with a sense of place that brings our complex history to life. For the first time, this bill establishes a standardized set of criteria for the designation of new national heritage areas and a rigorous process for existing national heritage areas to ensure accountability. H.R. 1049 has 221 cosponsors, and strong bipartisan, and wide geographic support that speaks to the value of this program locally and nationally. Members recognize what heritage area investment means to their given communities and regions, and similar proposals have been introduced and championed by both the Bush and Obama administrations.…”