"As America continues to defend its homeland from those who are intent on rejecting our democratic tradition, it is only fitting that we reaffirm our commitment to protecting our past. These sites provide insight not only into who we are today, but also who we aspire to be tomorrow," stated Rahall, the Ranking Democrat on the House Resources Committee.

     The bill is nearly identical to a companion in the Senate introduced by U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) and U.S. Senator James Talent (R-MO), as well as legislation introduced in the previous Congress which received the support of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, the National Park Service, and the historic preservation community.

     The bill authorizes deposits into the Historic Preservation Fund through 2011 and permanently authorizes funding for the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. The Council is made up of Agency heads and Presidential appointees with diverse backgrounds whose expertise is invaluable to protecting America’s heritage.

     U.S. Delegate Donna Christensen (D-VI), Parks Subcommittee Ranking Member and original cosponsor of the legislation, said, "The National Historic Preservation Act remains the bedrock upon which all federal historic preservation programs are built because it insures that the Federal Government avoids inadvertently damaging historic resources. We should take great care not to undermine its effectiveness or threaten its 40-year legacy of protecting our nation’s historic treasures for our grandchildren and their children."

     The Fund, comprised of a small percentage of the enormous revenues generated by oil and gas development in the Outer Continental Shelf, is administered by the National Park Service and provides matching grants to states and territories for a variety of historic preservation programs including statewide historic preservation surveys and preservation plans. The Fund also provides matching grants to Indian Tribes, Alaskan Natives, Native Hawaiians and Historically Black Colleges and Universities for cultural heritage projects and the preservation of historic structures.

     "We are pleased that Representative Rahall has introduced a bill to extend the authorization for deposits into the Historic Preservation Fund (HPF) and make improvements for the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation," said Nancy Schamu, Executive Director of the National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers.

     She continued, "The HPF reauthorization will continue the off shore oil lease deposits into the fund through 2011. While the extension of the HPF deposits is a routine action, the work of the Fund is essential to fueling the nation's historic preservation program under the National Historic Preservation Act as carried out by the States. In this 40-year old partnership, the Council and the National Park Service set the rules and the State Historic Preservation Offices do the work. The HPF is essential to the partnership for the conservation and use of our historic places."

     Rahall concluded, "We must be vigilant in preserving the story of the American people, and learning more about the stories of those who first inhabited this land - - the Native Americans."

     Click here to read Rahall's remarks upon introducing the legislation.