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Saturday, December 21, 2024

Stefanik's heritage site preservation bill passes House with bipartisan support

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U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik representing New York's 21st Congressional District | Official U.S. House headshot

U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik representing New York's 21st Congressional District | Official U.S. House headshot

Today, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik's bill, the Maurice D. Hinchey Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area Enhancement Act, was passed by the House of Representatives with bipartisan support. The legislation proposes a study to explore the benefits of expanding the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area to include all of Washington and Saratoga Counties.

Congresswoman Stefanik expressed her satisfaction with the bill's passage, stating, "I am proud to see my legislation that pursues the expansion of the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area to include all of Washington and Saratoga Counties pass the House today with bipartisan support. Upstate New York and the North Country are the cradle of the American Revolution and home to numerous battlefields and historic sites. My bill will bolster efforts to preserve our rich heritage and ensure these crucial pieces of our history are preserved for future generations."

Sean Kelleher, Historian for the Town of Saratoga, also supported the legislation. He said, "For nearly 250 years, the Hudson River Valley has been the cradle of America’s enduring story of independence and resilience. Expanding the Maurice D. Hinchey Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area to include Saratoga and Washington Counties corrects a historical oversight and ensures the full story of the Battles of Saratoga—the turning point of the American Revolution—is told. This study empowers our communities to preserve this vital heritage while unlocking economic growth through heritage tourism. It’s an investment in history, community, and the principles that define our nation."

The bill aims to enhance opportunities for both counties by allowing them access to federal grant programs, increasing heritage tourism, and supporting cultural and economic development.

Introduced in January 2023 by Congresswoman Stefanik, this bipartisan legislation underwent a legislative hearing in June 2024 by the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Federal Lands where Sean Kelleher testified on its benefits. By November 2024, it had passed out of the Natural Resources Committee unanimously.

Congresswoman Stefanik serves as Co-Chair of the Congressional Battlefield Caucus and has been recognized with a National Preservation Leadership Award from the American Battlefield Trust for her work in battlefield preservation.

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