Press Releases
CONGRESSWOMAN STACEY E. PLASKETT INTRODUCES BILL TO DESIGNATE ST. CROIX AS A NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA
2/4/2020,
February 4, 2020
For Immediate Release Contact: Michael J. McQuerry PRESS STATEMENT CONGRESSWOMAN STACEY E. PLASKETT INTRODUCES BILL TO DESIGNATE ST. CROIX AS A NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA Washington, DC – Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett released the following statement after introducing legislation, the St. Croix National Heritage Area Act, H.R. 5747, to designate St. Croix as a National Heritage Area: “National Heritage Areas (NHA) are designated by Congress as places where historic, cultural, and natural resources combine to form cohesive, nationally important landscapes. St. Croix is rich in culture, history and offers the resources ideal for establishing an NHA. The effort to achieve this designation started with former Congresswoman Donna M. Christensen in 2003 with a bill to authorize a feasibility study for the NHA designation on St. Croix. “H.R, 5747 would assign the Virgin Islands State Historic Preservation Office as local coordinating entity to oversee and develop programs and projects that recognize, protect, and enhance important resource values in the Heritage Area. In addition, this bill would make funding available to develop recreational and educational opportunities to inform and engage our youth on the heritage of St. Croix. “It is imperative that we protect and restore historic sites and buildings in our historical district of St. Croix through public-private partnerships. I am pleased that the territorial delegates signed on to H.R. 5747 as original cosponsors and the legislation has the continued support of local government and stakeholders. This bill would be an economic boost for St. Croix and spur economic growth.” ### |