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For immediate release: August 15, 2006 Contacts: Philip Maechling, City of Missoula Historic Preservation Officer Phone: [PHONE REDACTED] E-mail: [EMAIL REDACTED] Tami E. Paulsen, Lolo National Forest Phone: [PHONE REDACTED] E-mail: [EMAIL REDACTED] Mayor John Engen to Receive Preserve America Community Designation Debbie Austin, Supervisor of the Lolo National Forest, will present Mayor John Engen with a Preserve America Community sign on Monday, Aug. 21, at 10:30 a.m. at the corner of East Pine and Pattee streets in the historic East Pine Street Historic District. The Preserve America initiative is a White House effort to encourage communities' work on preservation and enjoyment of America’s priceless cultural and natural heritage. Missoula is only the fifth community in Montana to be recognized. We join Fort Benton, Terry, Red Lodge and Virginia City. Missoula was awarded this designation based on its long-standing program in historic preservation and the broad base of community efforts dedicated to the preservation and conservation of Missoula’s place in the history of Montana. Last spring, Mayor John Engen received a letter of designation signed by U.S. First Lady Laura Bush, Honorary Chair of Preserve America. The goals of the Preserve America 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. The Preserve America Community sign is one of two such signs that the U.S. Forest Service, the local cooperating federal agency, is giving to Missoula for placement at entry locations to Missoula’s historic neighborhoods. The Missoula City-County Historic Preservation Office manages a variety of preservation, education and interpretive programs. The Missoula Historic Preservation Commission, made up of citizens, was established in 1987 by the City of Missoula. It holds an annual Preservation Awards event. Missoula has eight National Historic Districts and more than 70 places listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In 1999, Gov. Mark Racicot presented the Missoula City-County Historic Preservation Program with the Governor’s Award for Historic Preservation. ---PAGE BREAK--- Missoula was recently awarded $5,000 in Preserve America funds from the Montana Historical Society for historic preservation interpretation for Downtown Missoula. Communities designated through the Preserve America program receive national recognition for their efforts. Other benefits include appropriate use of the Preserve America logo on signs and promotional materials; notification to media, state tourism offices and visitors' bureaus; and listing in a Web-based directory to showcase preservation efforts and highlight heritage tourism destinations. With this designation, Missoula is also eligible to apply for grants under the Preserve America Grants Program administered by the Department of the Interior. “You are pioneers in this initiative, which shows just how proud the people of Missoula are of their city, state and their place in our nation’s history,” Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton said. “Each community’s unique and diverse stories are part of the larger chapter of American heritage, culture and values. It is by visiting and experiencing these special places that we have an opportunity to touch the past and can best understand how the past touches us.” “Preserve America communities demonstrate that they are committed to preserving America’s heritage while ensuring a future filled with opportunities for learning and enjoyment,” Mrs. Bush said. “This community designation program, combined with the Preserve America Presidential Awards and federal support, provides strong incentives for continued preservation of our cultural and natural heritage resources. I commend Missoula and its leaders for their commitment to preserving an important part of our Nation’s historic past for visitors, neighbors, and, most importantly, for children.” The Department of the Interior works in partnership with the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation to administer the Preserve America Community program on behalf of the Office of the First Lady. Other collaborators include the U.S. Forest Service. For more information and updates on the initiative, visit www.PreserveAmerica.gov. #