­– U.S. Representatives Paul Tonko (NY-21) and Charlie Dent (PA-15) will hold a press conference In Washington to announce the launch of the National Heritage Area Caucus on Tuesday, June 15, 2010 at 1:00 PM at the House Triangle.

The Caucus is a newly-created bipartisan coalition comprised of Members of the U.S. House of Representatives who will work together to coordinate Congressional efforts on behalf of the nation’s many National Heritage Areas (NHA).

WHO:                         Representative Paul Tonko (NY-21)

                                    Representative Charlie Dent (PA-15)

                                    Members of the Alliance of National Heritage Areas (ANHA)

WHAT:                       Press Conference Announcing the Launch of the National Heritage Area Caucus

WHEN:                       Tuesday, June 15, 2010 @ 1:00 PM ET

WHERE:                     Washington, D.C., at the House Triangle, located in the grassy triangle on the House side of the Capitol's East Front

BACKGROUND:       National Heritage Areas (NHA) have a proven record of fostering job creation and advancing economic, cultural, historic, environmental, and community development. In addition to creating jobs, NHAs generate valuable revenue for local governments and sustain communities through revitalization and heritage tourism. NHAs are currently supported through the Department of Interior’s National Heritage Area Program, one of the federal government’s most effective and cost-efficient programs. NHAs are currently located in 32 states, from New England to Alaska.

There are two NHAs in NY’s 21st Congressional District: The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor (http://www.eriecanalway.org/) and the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area (http://www.hudsonrivervalley.com/Home.aspx)

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