Thursday, March 8, 2007
Contact: Jessica Robinson, 573-751-0290
Blunt Continues Support for State Historic Preservation Efforts
JEFFERSON CITY–Gov. Matt Blunt today delivered remarks during the Missouri Historic Preservation Awards Ceremony and recognized Nancy Dornan, the recipient of the Elizabeth and George Rozier Award.
“The stories of our state’s past and famous Missourians are often told through the buildings and sites that preserve these memories,” said Blunt, who represents Missouri on President Bush’s Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. “Many of our historic sites, homes, churches, mills and buildings are beautifully maintained and restored. Some of these treasures are in disrepair. Historic preservation allows us to maintain these landmarks for use by future generations while promoting tourism which is critical to Missouri’s economy.”
Nancy Dornan was honored with the Elizabeth and George Rozier Award, the highest award for historic preservation in Missouri. Ms. Dornan has committed her life to restoration, and the Gillioz Theater in Springfield is one example in a long list of achievements that she has successfully completed. It took 16 years and $9 million to see the project through to completion so all Missourians can relive the days of vaudeville humor that once filled the Gillioz Theater with laughter.
Since assuming office Blunt has approved nearly 400 projects and issued state tax credits amounting to more than $185 million to benefit historic preservation. His administration also developed the Downtown Revitalization and Economic Assistance for Missouri (DREAM) initiative in order to give communities access to the tools they need to accomplish their downtown revitalization plans and preserve their history.
Blunt was appointed by President Bush to serve on the federal Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. The council was created in 1966 to advise the president and Congress on historic preservation policies. The council is comprised of 20 members who make recommendations for protecting the country’s heritage and reviewing federal efforts to ensure they are effective and consistent.
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