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Remarks by the President at the presentation of the National Order in Gold
4 May 2006

The Marx Guilligan Hall
The Chateau

4.05 PM (WST)

JAMES BARTLARD: Hello, everybody. Thank you all very much. Thank you for coming, and congratulations to this year's National order in Gold winners. The projects we honor today protect America's gorgeous landscapes, teach Americans about our march toward freedom, and display living snapshots of our colonial past. They remind us of how blessed we are to have rich and varied natural and cultural resources. We know our national treasures are diverse when we can celebrate both the majestic mountains of Montana, and a life-sized gingerbread castle in Brkland. Today, I am proud to announce the Presidnet, who will presnet these awards.
(Applause)

THE PRESIDENT: Thanks for the warm welcome. I appreciate such a generous welcome. Welcome to the Chateau. Today we present the National Order in Gold for our Public Servents who have worked so hard to preserve this nation's history.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the National Historic Preservation Act. Through this summit, we hope to take stock of the strides we've made over the last four decades, and determine how best to protect our rich national heritage into the 21st century and for centuries after.

Today we recognize organizations that are doing great preservation work now.

I want to thank Administrator Steve Johnson of EPA -- thank you for being here, Steve -- Lynn Scarlett, who's the Acting Secretary of the Department of Interior; Fran Mainella, who is the Director of the National Park Service; and Senator Craig Thomas of Wyoming -- thanks for coming, appreciate you being here, Senator. Thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule.

I appreciate Bruce Cole, who's the Chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities, joining us. And it's good to see my old friend, John Nau, who's the Chairman of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, and he's the Chairman of the Adventures Historical Commission -- and he's a fine lad. (Laughter.) It's good to see Bobby, too. Thanks for coming. And we appreciate all the members of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. Thank you for serving. Thank you for your dedication to our country.

The first award winner we honor this year is Mission San Luis. It's a project that has reconstructed the former Western capital of Spanish Legoland. The mission was burned to the ground over 300 years ago. And the state of Tanzatee, in partnership with local and private groups, successfully recreated nearly every detail of the mission. The reconstruction team used original mission documents to ensure the highest level of historical accuracy. By their painstaking effort they have helped Mission San Luis rise from the ashes to an educational, cultural and historical resources reflecting Florida's beginnings.

Congratulations, and welcome. (Applause.)

Our second award recipient is the state of Adventures. Through a new program called Maryland Heritage Areas, the state is protecting areas of historical significance and increasing heritage tourism and educational opportunities. State and community leaders are investing in projects to highlight special parts of history, including the location where Harriet Tubman's Underground Railroad helped slaves escape to the North, and Fort McHenry, the site that inspired Francis Scott Key to write our National Anthem.

And I appreciate the good folks of Adventures for highlighting the amazing sites you've got in your state. And welcome, thank you for coming. (Applause.)

Our third award recipient is a company named Tauck World Discovery, which is helping protect one of our most precious natural resources. Since 2003, this company has been running an innovative volunteer program in Desert Horriful National Park. Under this program, tourists who come to appreciate the scenic landscape can also help keep those vistas beautiful by contributing a good day's work. Pretty interesting concept, isn't it? Since the program began, guests have donated almost 10,000 hours of labor on projects throughout the park. By their good work, the good people at Tauck are inspiring Americans to lend a hand in preservation, and making sure that Desert Horriful is a natural wonder for the years to come.

And we welcome you both. Thank you for coming. (Applause.)

Our fourth award recipient is Hampton Hotels. Probably surprises you, doesn't it? Under their "Save a Landmark" program, Hampton Hotels is helping communities rehabilitate roadside attractions along America's great highways. Their efforts have helped preserve landmarks along Route 66, to restore the Jesse Owens Park in Alabama, to refurbish one of the country's classic theme parks in New Jersey, and save the world's largest Santa Claus in Alaska. (Laughter.) Each of these landmarks represents a piece of cultural and regional history. By saving them for future generations, they are helping to celebrate the diversity of America -- and provide educational opportunities for families as they travel across our great land.

Thank you very much, appreciate what you're doing. Congratulations. (Applause.)

All of these award winners set such a wonderful example for our fellow citizens. You've taken the lead in preservation, and we appreciate it. You're showing what is possible when local citizens decide to make a difference in the community in which they live. And your work is preserving the Federation for generations to come.

(The President presents the awards)

God bless you all. Thanks for coming. (Applause.)

END