Just caught the tail end of a news story about First Lady Bush speaking today at the national convention of county governments, and she was apparently promoting some type of new federal program to fund historic preservation and tourism. Did anyone catch it, and if you did, details, please.

lorija799@aol.com

Transcript of her speech from the White House:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases ... 303-2.html

As an aside, it's incredible the effect Laura Bush is having on library, museum, and preservation funding at the Federal level. Becuase of her signature committment to these issues they have proven so far to be essentially "off limits" for major cuts.

First Lady on Preserve America
eledbetter@rypn.org

> Transcript of her speech from the White
> House:

>
> http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases ... 303-2.html

> As an aside, it's incredible the effect
> Laura Bush is having on library, museum, and
> preservation funding at the Federal level.
> Becuase of her signature committment to
> these issues they have proven so far to be
> essentially "off limits" for major
> cuts.


lorija799@aol.com

I'm quite amazed by this speech. Let's hope it is not just more pre-election rhetoric and that she really can help dull the ax on the cutting of worthwhile federal programs like TEA-21 and others.

ryarger@rypn.org

Can't speak for TEA-21, but the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS), which has funded a lot of good work in railway preservation, seems to be having smooth sailing so far toward reauthoriation and a 15% funding increase.


First Lady on Preserve America
eledbetter@rypn.org

Let's not forget the America's treasures program. It's a matching grant for general historic preservation.

I know that one grant went to the Seashoe Trolley Museum for work on the Biddeford and Saco 31. The first trolley car at the first volunteer trolley museum in the world.

ted_miles@nps.gov