CONGRESSIONAL RECORD -- SENATE

August 11, 1966

Page 19062

Mr. KENNEDY of Massachusetts. Madam President, I am pleased to see that the new grant program for historic preservation established by section 4 of the bill would make historic areas, as well as specific structures, eligible for financial assistance, for acquisition, restoration and improvement. As the committee report points out, such areas are often of more historic interest than even a number of separate buildings and can have a far greater effect on local patterns of land use. By providing for such assistance to historic areas, it will be possible to make grants to preserve a number of buildings in an area and also to provide other improvements in the area such as special street lighting or special paving which may be required to preserve the historic character of the area.

When I read through the report of the Special Committee on Historic Preservation, I was much impressed by the importance our leading conservationists place on the concept of area preservation of the often intangible historical character that a particular area may have when viewed as a whole. I can think of historic areas within my own State of Massachusetts where it is extremely important that we retain that intangible character which sets that area apart from other areas around it. It was with that idea in mind that I offered an amendment to Senator MUSKIE's bill, S. 3097, to extend grant assistance to historic areas as well as historic structures.

I am pleased to see that this concept has been incorporated in the bill as reported out of the committee, and I am hopeful that in the administration of section 404 the concept of area wide preservation will receive the careful consideration it deserves.

I wish to ask the Senator from Maine [Mr. MUSKIE] if, in consideration of this concept, as I understand it from reading the report, it is his understanding and that of the committee that the Administrator ought to carefully consider opportunities to provide help and assistance with respect to preservation of historic areas existing in every part of the country, not just New England, but in all sections of our country.

Mr. MUSKIE. I wholeheartedly endorse the principle of preservation of historic areas which the Senator from Massachusetts has advocated not only today, but at other times, orally and in communications. I endorse this principle not only for New England but for other areas. In view of my visit as a member of a special committee to European countries, I hope there would be enough authority in the administration of the bill to move ahead in that direction. Certainly I would urge the administration to insure that this concept is not overlooked as these programs are developed.

Mr. KENNEDY of Massachusetts. Madam President, I appreciate the comments of the acting chairman. I know he traveled and visited Europe a year ago and looked into this matter, and that he has been deeply interested in this whole approach. I must say I feel comforted by his hope that there will be a review of this program, so that if the language is not as extensive or as broad as it should be to permit the kind of administration which is reflected in the committee report, there will be provided whatever is necessary to accomplish the purpose.