Date
The Honorable ____________ (Name of Representative or Senator)
United States __________ (House of Representatives OR Senate)
Building and Room Number
Washington, DC Zip
Fax: 202-___-____
Dear Representative OR Senator _______:
I am writing today to thank you for your support of Freedom’s Frontier National Heritage Area and ask that you take the lead with Congress on ensuring a positive future for national heritage areas across the country through passage of National Heritage Areas Program legislation.
Freedom’s Frontier National Heritage Area is a 41-county region in eastern Kansas and western Missouri dedicated to sharing the nationally significant history of our region and to economic development through heritage tourism. As a partner of FFNHA, I ask for your support and guidance as we work to secure appropriate funding for heritage areas through the Heritage Partnership Program line in the Department of the Interior budget. I also ask your support for National Heritage Areas Program legislation, which will ensure a secure future for Freedom’s Frontier National Heritage Area as well as the other 48 heritage areas.
Congress has the opportunity to ensure the long-term viability of our nation’s significant historic areas and natural resources through National Heritage Areas Program legislation. National Heritage Areas work through public-private partnerships and have a track record of being one of the Department of the Interior’s most costeffective initiatives. (Please add any benefits your region/site has realized through Freedom’s Frontier here.)
Beginning in 1984, when the first heritage area was created, through 2006, when Freedom’s Frontier was established, National Heritage Areas have been created through bipartisan support. In the last legislative session,
Representative Charles Dent (R-PA) and Representative Paul Tonko (D-NY) introduced H.R. 445 The National
Heritage Area Act of 2013. Your support for legislation similar to this would allow heritage areas to better preserve our nation’s history and culture and spur economic growth with minimal federal support.
With the passage of National Heritage Area Program legislation, Congress has the opportunity to positively shape the future of the nation’s economy by leveraging our greatest strength: our shared history.
Again, on behalf of Freedom’s Frontier thank you for your leadership. Representatives from the heritage area will be in Washington the first week of February to meet with you and your staff. Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can be of any assistance to you on this important issue.
Sincerely,