PRESERVATION ACTION LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
 



LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
VOLUME 22, NUMBER 26
AUGUST 09, 2019

Schedule a Meeting or Site Visit With Your Members of Congress During the August Recess

Preservation Action is urging our members and supporters to ramp up their advocacy efforts as Congress begins their summer recess. The House and Senate will be on recess from August 3rd to September 8th. This is a critical time to reach out to your Representative and  Senators and invite them to tour a Historic Tax Credit project in their district/state, or schedule a meeting. Congress is expected to consider several pieces of must-pass legislation in the Fall and we hope to insert provisions from the  Historic Tax Credit Growth and Opportunity Act (H.R 2825) into larger, must-pass bills that address tax issues. The August recess is the best opportunity for lawmakers to see the incredible benefits of the Historic Tax Credit and potential benefits of the HTC-GO Act first-hand.  Reach out to your members of Congress today!

TAKE ACTION
  1. Invite your members of Congress to attend an in-district/in-state meeting or tour a completed or planned HTC project. Representatives and Senators will be in-district Aug. 3rd to Sep. 8th. Showing members of Congress rehabilitated historic buildings is one of the most effective ways to demonstrate the value of the HTC. Be sure to also discuss how the HTC-GO could further benefit communities across their district/state. Be flexible with possible dates to meet, but if your member of Congress is unavailable, offer to meet with their staff.
  2. Review the Congressional site-visit guide. Our partners at the National Trust Community Investment Corporation and the Historic Tax Credit Coalition put together a sample meeting request letter and site-visit guidance document to make it easy for advocates to reach out their lawmakers.
  3. Encourage your Representative to cosponsor HTC-GO, H.R 2825. It is absolutely critical we demonstrate broad support for the Historic Tax Credit Growth and Opportunity Act. Our efforts are gaining steam, we are up to 36 bipartisan cosponsors. We expect similar legislation to be introduced in the Senate this summer.
If you need any assistance arranging a site visit or meeting contact Rob Naylor at Preservation Action ( [email protected]). Also be sure share stories and photos from your site visits with us on  Facebook and  Twitter!
Legislation Introduced to Protect Civil War Defenses in Washington, DC

Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) introduced H.R 3725 to recognize and preserve the Civil War defenses in the Washington, DC area. The bill would create a National Historical Park to protect remaining Civil War defenses in the District of Columbia, Virginia, and Maryland.

While some of remaining sites are already under the jurisdiction of the National Park Service or local governments, many lack sufficient funding to fully protect and interpret this important chapter in Civil War history. This includes the Battle of Fort Stevens which lasted for 2 days in 1964 and tested the civil war defenses constructed to protect the nation's capitol. This marked the last Confederate attempt to take Washington and was personally observed by President Abraham Lincoln, who was even shot at during the battle. 

In additional to establishing a National Historical Park, this bill would study the Civil War and facilitate a better understanding of the Battle of Fort Stevens and the entire Shenandoah Campaign. Rep. Holmes Norton sent a Dear Colleague letter urging other House members to cosponsor this important bill. Check out the Alliance to Preserve the Civil War Defenses of Washington to learn more.

Reach out to your Representative and ask them to cosponsor H.R 3725 today.
House Passes Emancipation National Historic Trail Study Act

Before departing for the August recess the House passed the Emancipation National Historic Trail Study Act, H.R 434. This bill marks an important step in establishing the 51 mile migration route between Galveston and Houston TX as a National Historic Trail.  Approximately 250,000 newly freed slaves migrated along this route in 1865 after belatedly receiving word of the end of the war and emancipation. The trail would run from the Osterman Building and Reedy Chapel in Galveston along Texas Highway 3 and Interstate 45 to Freedmen's Town in Houston. If approved, the Emancipation National Historic Trail would mark the 2nd historic trail that centers on the African American experience, the other being the Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail.

The bipartisan bill was championed by Rep. Shelia Jackson-Lee (D-TX) along with 55 other bipartisan cosponsors and now moves to the Senate for consideration. 

Preservation Action supports this legislation and urges quick action to enact this important bill into law. 
Preservation Action Foundation's Annual Auction Returns October 10th. Get Your Tickets Today!


Get your tickets today! Join us in the Gallery of Denver's Union Station for Preservation Action Foundation's Legendary Party and Live Auction on October 10th, immediately following the opening reception of PastForward 2019. The annual auction has long been a highlight for the Preservation Action Foundation and of the National Preservation Conference. 

Built in 1881, Union Station is a landmark of the Bonanza Years of Railroads in Colorado. Sip complimentary wine, Colorado beers, and specialty cocktails while enjoying a Southwest-style buffet. Greet old preservation friends and meet new ones at the reception preceding the Preservation Action Foundation's legendary live auction.

Take advantage of best prices and get your tickets today!



This is our largest fundraiser of the year. Proceeds from the event are used to assist the education and training, advocacy, and programs of the Preservation Action Foundation.

Donate an Auction Item

Help support the auction, donate an auction item today.  We are currently seeking donations like hotel stays, tours of historic sites, tickets to special events and conferences, and other unique experiences. This is a great way to highlight your organization and your city/state to an active and interested group of people. Interested in donating an auction item? Check out our Auction donation packet for more information!


Preservation Action
2020 Pennsylvania Ave NW #313
Washington, DC 20006
p. 202-463-0970


Preservation Action is the only national  non-profit dedicated exclusively to lobbying for the best preservation policies at the federal level. We seek to make historic preservation a national priority by advocating to all branches of government through a grassroots constituency empowered with information and training.