Blount County Designated as a 'Preserve America Community'
Wednesday August 15, 2007
National Honor for Blount County
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Lamar Alexander (R-TN) and Bob Corker (R-TN) and U.S. Representative John Duncan, Jr. (R-TN-02) today praised the designation of Blount County, TN as one of the nation's newest Preserve America Communities. This designation recognizes Blount County's commitment to preservation and education, and makes the community eligible for special grants to continue these efforts.
"As a native of Blount County, this news doesn't surprise me one bit," said Alexander. "Preservation is an important part of teaching and protecting our American history. This designation by the Preserve America initiative is a testament to the efforts to protect Tennessee's history - and that's good work worth praising in Blount County."
"I congratulate Blount County for their hard work in achieving the designation as a 'Preserve America Community,' said Corker. "Through this designation, Blount County now secures national recognition as an historical site while gaining greater access to federal resources for preserving and promoting Tennessee history."
"I believe the preservation of local history is vital to our Country," said Duncan. "This designation will help protect what makes Blount County and East Tennessee so special."
The Preserve America initiative supports community efforts to preserve and enjoy America's priceless cultural and natural heritage. Chaired by First Lady Laura Bush, the goals of the initiative include a greater shared knowledge about the nation's past; strengthened regional identities and local pride; increased local participation in preserving the country's cultural and natural heritage assets; and support for the economic vitality of our communities.
Communities designated through the program receive national recognition for their efforts and a letter from Mrs. Bush. Designated Preserve America Communities such as Blount County may apply for special grants to better preserve the unique historical and natural heritage of the area. Preserve America Communities are also featured in National Register Travel Itineraries and in "Teaching With Historic Places" curricular materials created by the National Park Service.
The White House is working with the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, the U.S. Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, Education, Housing and Urban Development, Interior, and Transportation, the General Services Administration, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the National Endowment for the Humanities, the President's Council on Environmental Quality, and the President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities to implement Preserve America.
"When we put together all of the events, community attractions and historic sites in Blount County, it was clear that we are embracing our heritage and celebrating that which makes us unique. This designation recognized that, and it fits with our mission of establishing sustainable tourism focused on our heritage and culture," said Herb Handly, executive vice president of tourism for the Smoky Mountain Convention and Visitors Bureau. "I'd like to thank everyone who supported this effort because this truly was a community recognition, and it will take the community's continued involvement and support to preserve our past in order to secure Blount County's future."
