Remarks at the
Presentation Ceremony for the Presidential Historic Preservation Awards
Don
Hodel, John Rogers, and everyone here: Thank you all
for coming. You know, when they told me that today's event was the Presidential
Historic Preservation Awards, I said, ``Oh no, not another occasion to honor
me.'' [Laughter] Besides, if anybody deserves credit for this President's
historic preservation, it's
We're
here to honor those of you who honor us with your respect for our past and
concern for our future. ``The future of our civilization,'' the historian Lewis
Mumford once wrote, ``depends upon our ability to
select and control our heritage from the past, to alter our present attitudes
and habits, and to project fresh forms into which our energies may be freely
poured.'' Well, today we're here to honor all of you who have intertwined our
hopes for the future of our civilization with a deep respect for the glories of
our heritage.
In
1966 the National Historic Preservation Act became this nation's primary
historic preservation legislation. One of the act's main goals is to encourage
all levels of government, as well as all private organizations and individuals,
to give their highest support to those who undertake preservation with private
means. The projects and programs we're recognizing today reflect many forms of
these independent endeavors. They are corporate-sponsored projects; programs featuring
extensive cooperation between businesses and nonprofit organizations; and,
overall, a high level of independent initiative.
Over
the past 20 years, private enterprise has shown an increasing awareness of the
advantages in preservation. Working independently, these organizations and
individuals have maintained and adapted historic resources for modern use.
Rehabilitation projects have provided facilities for businesses, housing, and
community centers. Obviously, many programs unrelated to historic preservation
have benefited from the creative use of our older resources.
In
an earlier time, many thought that preservation work was expensive,
time-consuming, and limited in its outcome. We have evidence in this room to
prove that notion false. In fact, well-informed, planned, and coordinated
enterprises prove that you can show cost-effective results and generate social
and economic benefits beyond the original scope of the project.
The
renovation of one building can inspire similar undertakings in the surrounding
area and result in overall neighborhood improvements. The rehabilitation of one
small area can lead to the revitalization of an entire downtown business
district and stimulate progress in that town's economy.
The
ability of private enterprise to enrich our heritage so effectively provides us
with daily evidence of the cultural values that have sustained this nation. The
presence of historic properties as working and productive assets in our
communities gives us an important link between the past and the present and
reminds us of what we were, who we are, and where we hope to be.
The
word ``preserve'' in the old Latin originally meant ``to observe beforehand.''
What could be better tribute to our guests than to honor them as people who
were foresighted enough to see that our national ethic is actually a
conservative ethic in the most literal sense. If we
can learn to observe beforehand that our history and our culture are of great
value in giving us our sense of identity as Americans, then we will all work to
preserve that heritage, just as these honorees have done.
We owe much to the independent endeavors of these individuals who have
dedicated their own personal resources to further the goals. Their work stands
as inspiration for all of us.
Now for the fun part. Let me ask you
something. When that light went out, did this go off too? [Laughter]
Note: The President
spoke at