Sheila Jackson Lee: “I thank the chairman and ranking member, Mr. Calvert and Ms. McCollum, for their leadership on these issues of…”

“I thank the chairman and ranking member, Mr. Calvert and Ms. McCollum, for their leadership on these issues of preservation. The Jackson Lee amendment increases grant funding by $500,000 so that organizations interested in historical preservation, especially in underrepresented communities, have the ability to study, survey, and nominate properties to the National Register of Historic Places. Due to lack of resources, certain communities are underrepresented in this process, so this amendment ensures that they have a greater opportunity. The Jackson Lee amendment ensures that sites important to our American history are no longer overlooked due to mere lack of resources. It accomplishes this goal by promoting research that uncovers information to assist in telling the full American story. Historical places create connections to our heritage that help understand our past, appreciate our triumphs, and learn from our mistakes. And they cover all of the cultural backgrounds, from African Americans, to Anglos, to Hispanics, and to Asians, all in this wonderful, diverse country who have had a story to tell, as well as Native Americans and many others. Such stories might otherwise be lost because urban renewal and out- migration of Blacks destroyed or led to the abandonment of many African American communities. Preservation helps recognize, save, revitalize, and protect Americans' historic places, build communities, and foster education and pride.…”