Laura Bush Announces Preserve America Grants Budget; First Preserve America Communities Also Announced

These grants will assist States, Indian tribes, and communities demonstrate sustainable uses of their historic and cultural sites and the economic and educational opportunities related to heritage tourism.

During her announcement, Mrs. Bush also honored eight communities with Preserve America designation for their commitment to protect the historic heritage of their hometowns. The first Preserve America communities to receive this designation are:

• Augusta, Georgia;
• Castroville, Texas;
• Delaware, Ohio;
• Dorchester County, Maryland;
• Key West, Florida;
• Putnam County, New York;
• Steamboat Springs, Colorado; and
• Versailles, Kentucky.

In addition, Mrs. Bush announced two new education efforts to enhance the teaching of history in America's classrooms:

• Preserve America has worked with the History Channel's Save Our History initiative to support the creation of a history education manual. This manual provides teachers with lesson plans and volunteer ideas to get students involved in preserving historical sites in their community.

• Preserve America and The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History will honor outstanding teachers of American history across the country with a new "Preserve America History Teacher of the Year" award. Finalists will be selected annually from each State, the District of Columbia, and U.S. Territories.

  State winners will receive $1,000 and a core archive of history materials for their school library. A "National Preserve America History Teacher of the Year" will be selected from the group of State finalists. The winner, together with the nominating supervisor, will be flown to Washington, DC, for recognition in a ceremony.