Obama on Preservation

Below is a note from Elizabeth Belleville of the National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers providing an opportunity for everyone to tell President-elect Obama about our concern for historic presevation:

"President-elect Obama addressed around 40 governors at a National Governors Association meeting in Philadelphia on Tuesday. During his speech, Obama recognized the economic constraints state and local governments are facing and sympathized that they are being forced to choose between raising taxes and reducing services and programs. Specifically, he pointed out that they are now forced into job cuts, reducing programs for needy and at risk, libraries are being closed and HISTORIC SITES are being closed.

Please take a few minutes to do the following:

1. Listen to his speech at www.change.gov (he makes the historic sites comment around the 2:20 mark)

2. Click on the red section An American Moment Tell us your Story and send in a statement describing what historic preservation means to you, your local economy, and community.

I also recommend attaching a picture of a local historic site. I’m sure several thousand emails regarding his historic sites comment would definitely raise some eyebrows! Please forward this message along to your friends and colleagues."