The Coalition for American Heritage opposes President Trump’s decision to trigger a partial government shutdown. Closing federal agencies threatens America’s historic legacy, which our members work to preserve. We value the contributions of dedicated federal employees who process National Register nominations, administer grants to state and tribal historic preservation offices, and assist communities to save historic resources after natural disasters strike. We appreciate the work they do to highlight and preserve America’s historic treasures. Keeping them on the job is critical to preserving the rich and varied history of our nation.

We recognize that the President is attempting to secure funding for a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, and the Coalition for American Heritage reiterates its objection to the Administration’s plans. The Coalition for American Heritage opposes the Administration’s decision to waive laws, including the National Historic Preservation Act, the Archaeological Resources Protection Act, and the National Environmental Policy Act, in order to speed construction of a border wall. Waiver of these laws poses a critical danger to the rich, irreplaceable cultural heritage of the border region. We urge the federal government to abide by existing processes to ensure that federal agencies weigh the effects their actions will have on cultural resources.

The Coalition for American Heritage expressed its enthusiastic support for recertification of the Center of Expertise for the Curation and Management of Archaeological Collections (MCX-CMAC) at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).

MCX-CMAC curates and manages the curation of USACE collected materials. They also provide returning veterans with essential work experience and jobs kills through their Veteran’s Curation Program (VCP). By training veterans in curation management, the VCP helps veterans re-enter the civilian job market.

Read our letter of support here.

The Coalition for American Heritage joined 97 other preservation leaders in a letter to Congress supporting the expanded use of historic leases in America’s national parks.

Historic leasing programs help maintain historic buildings and bring them back to life. These public-private partnerships are a crucial tool that allows the national park to maintain ownership of the building while making the lessee responsible for the preservation and maintenance needs of the structure.

To read the full letter, click here.

Earlier this month, the American electorate turned out in record numbers and flipped the U.S. House of Representatives to Democratic control, electing the most diverse set of new members in our history. This change could have major repercussions for historic preservation policy.

More than 100 women will serve in the House of Representatives and 23 will serve in the Senate. This represents the most women serving in Congress in history. The first two Native American women and the first two Muslim women were elected to the House. The number of African-American members will reach a high of 55 and the number of Latino members will be 43. Also, 10 openly LGBT members will serve in the next Congress. This degree of diversity will have a direct impact on how Congress addresses cultural resources policies.

With the growth of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), issues affecting the African-American community will likely receive more attention. Specific programs, such as preservation efforts at Historically Black Colleges and Universities, will likely get more support. Legislation that highlights the African-American experience, like bills creating a network of sites related to the Underground Railroad, the Civil Rights Movement, and the Reconstruction Era, are also more apt to gain traction in Congress.

Several CBC members are poised to chair committees, including Rep. Eddie Bernice Jones, who will lead the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology. She has already pledged to address climate change in her committee and as part of a joint effort with the Committees on Energy and Commerce and Natural Resources. With Congressional leaders willing to discuss the impacts of climate change, there will be opportunities to highlight how rising sea levels threaten archaeological resources.

The election of two Native American women to the U.S. House will bring increased attention to tribal matters. Also, the Democratic victory means that Rep. Raul Grijalva will chair the House Natural Resources Committee. Rep. Grijalva’s district includes 7 tribes, and he is vocal in his support for tribal sovereignty and government-to-government relationships. Rep. Grijalva sponsored the RESPECT Act, a bill which would mandate that federal agencies consult with tribes before taking a variety of major actions. The bill would codify a Clinton-era executive order that has never had the force of law.

Individual members will also draw from personal experience to highlight the importance of diversity in policy-making. For example, Senator Tammy Duckworth (an Asian-American woman, combat veteran, and double amputee) just published an editorial in The State Journal-Register arguing for national parks to recognize the histories of diverse peoples and cultures. She also advocated for making the national parks more accessible to all people.

When the new Congress convenes in January, they will begin to craft legislation and use committee hearings to highlight the issues that matter to them. This represents a new opportunity for the historic preservation community to work with a more diverse group of members to help preserve and share the American story — including the voices of traditionally underrepresented communities.

For updates on how the Coalition for American Heritage is working with Congress to promote heritage preservation, sign up as an individual member.

Get the details on the Coalition for American Heritage’s effort to safeguard cultural resources on U.S. Forest Service lands. Find out what Congressional candidates across America think about the most controversial issues in preservation today. Read our October newsletter!