Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 89.djvu/143

 PUBLIC LAW 94-21—MAY 9, 1975

89 STAT. 83

Public Law 94-21 94th Congress, Joint Resolution To authorize and request the President to issue a proclamation designating the calendar week beginning May 12, 1975, as "National Historic Preservation Week".

Whereas the two hundredth anniversary of the founding of this Republic approaches; and Whereas an indispensable element of the strength, the freedom and the constructive world leadership of this Nation is the knowledge and appreciation of our origins and history, of who we are, where we are, and how we arrived there; and Whereas the houses where we have lived, the buildings where we have worked, the streets we have walked for more than three hundred years are as much a part of our heritage as the wisdom of the Founding Fathers and the works of art which succeeding generations of Americans have bequeathed to us; and Whereas these buildings and places, great and humble, not only are our roots, but are also sources of pride in our past achievements and enrich our lives today; and Whereas historic preservation today involves much more than period rooms in house museums, but means, rather, that old homes, public buildings, hotels, taverns, theaters, industrial buildings, churches, and commercial structures can be saved and put to contemporary use as living history to be treated with respect and incorporated within our planning as our towms and cities grow to provide the citizens of this Nation with an environment of quality and enduring interest: Now, therefore, be it Resolved iy the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the President is authorized and requested to issue a proclamation— (1) designating the calendar week beginning May 12, 1975, as "National Historic Preservation Week"; and (2) urging Federal, State, and local government agencies, as well as citizens and private organizations, especially the preservation organizations, historical societies, and related groups, to observe that week with educational efforts, ceremonies, and other appropriate activities which— (a) are designed to call public attention to the urgent need to have our historic landmarks for the enjoyment and edification of the citizens of this Nation, present and future; and (b) will demonstrate lasting respect for this unique heritage. Approved May 9, 1975.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY: HOUSE REPORT No. 94-153 (Coram, on Post Office and Civil Service). SENATE REPORT No. 94-100 (Coram, on the Judiciary). CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 121 (1975): Apr. 21, considered and passed House. May 1, considered and passed Senate.

May 9, 197;i [HJ.Res. 242]

National Historic Preservation Week. Designation authorization.

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