For Immediate Release
Office of Laura Bush
November 10, 2003
Remarks by First Lady Laura Bush on the Preserve America Initiative
Merrill Auditorium
Portland City Hall
Portland, Maine
3:30 P.M. EST
MRS. BUSH: Thank you very much, Mrs. Baldacci, for welcoming me to
Maine. I'm so glad to be here. I'm so happy to be here in this
magnificent Merrill Auditorium with the beautiful Kotzschmar organ
behind us. I commend you for preserving this historic treasure. And a
special thanks to Earle Shettleworth for your work as director of the
Historic Preservation Commission. I also brought with me Mr. John Nau.
He's the chairman of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation,
right here with me, and he will be talking to you in a minute about
Preserve America. And also Fran Mainella, who is sitting here with Mrs.
Baldacci. Fran is the head of the National Park Service for the United
States. So thank you, Fran, for joining me.
I was here almost this time last year in Portland for the
dedication of the McLellan House and the L.D.M. Sweat Galleries as part
of the Portland Museum of Art. The gallery is a rich blend of art and
heritage, where visitors can literally walk through 300 years of
history.
Thanks to the state representatives who are here today as well, and
to the residents of Portland for making this city such a great place to
call home, and a great place to visit. Maine is a beautiful state, one
with its own distinct character. And the people who live here are
unique characters, as well. I happen to be related to a few of them.
(Laughter.)
The Bush and Walker family have made neighboring Kennebunkport
their home for five generations. My girls are the fifth generation of
Bushes and Walkers to get to spend their summer -- to be so lucky as to
spend their summer in this beautiful state. Both President Bushes have
enjoyed spending their summers here since they were children. George H.
W. Bush grew up here and after he married Barbara Bush, every summer
they would put my husband, George W. Bush, and all the other little
brothers and sisters into their station wagon and they'd drive from
Texas to Maine. And the children loved -- and really their most
important memories are centered around those family times here in your
beautiful state. They loved the fishing and the boating and the
swimming and the tidal pools. In fact, that was a family tradition --
they called it "boony-wild" swimming, where you put your babies, naked,
into those little tidal pools. (Laughter.)
Our daughters have loved coming here their whole lives as well,
with their grandparents and their cousins. And we're all kids again,
even President Bush, when we're here in Maine.
Two years ago, we were visiting George's parents to celebrate the
4th of July and George woke up at 6:00 a.m. as usual and went
downstairs to get a cup of coffee. And he sat down on the sofa with his
parents and put his feet up. And all of a sudden, Barbara Bush yelled,
put your feet down. George's dad replied, for goodness sake, Barbara,
he's the President of the United States. And Barbara said, I don't
care; I don't want his feet on my table. (Laughter.) Even Presidents
have to listen to their mothers. (Laughter.)
President Bush loves spending time here, and so do millions of
children and families who visit every year. With its rich maritime
history and its picturesque coastline, Portland is one of the most
visited cities in Maine. For children of all ages, history comes alive
here. At the boyhood home of Henry Wadsworth-Longfellow, budding
writers can learn how his hometown inspired this remarkable poet. And
with 103 steps to the top of the Portland Observatory, they can see all
of beautiful Casco Bay.
Once threatened by deterioration, the observatory has been restored
thanks to the city and the community, and not to mention the thousands
of pennies collected by school children. Sixth graders with Cathedral
School pooled their pennies, and I'm so pleased that they are here with
their principal, Sister Theresa Rand. Thanks to all of the school
children and the teachers who are here today.
Cathedral students, like so many in Portland, are committed to
preserving their hometown. Recently, they helped clean the grounds of
Eastern Cemetery, collecting eight bags of trash, and they learned
about Portland's early residents as they studied headstones from the
late 1600s.
The students have also been involved in the restoration of the
Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. Sister Theresa said, it's
important for students to learn and value Portland's history and to
respect their heritage. Getting involved in the community gives them a
sense of being involved in the community, and it gives them a sense of
history.
Students and teachers from across Portland make the community their
classroom. When students visit Victoria Mansion, they can see the
finest example of Italian villa-style architecture. When they attend
concerts at the First Parish Church, they learn about the Maine
Constitution, and they can relive the lives of early settlers at
Norland Farms, where they work in the barn and study in a one-room
schoolhouse.
Kayla Binford's favorite place to visit is Longfellow's home. She
said, you're walking right where he did such a long time ago. He wrote
poems in his home and, if you look around, you can probably think of
how he felt.
President Bush and I want every child and every American to learn
about our nation's heritage and to enjoy our nation's treasures. A new
White House initiative called Preserve America will help ensure that
they get to do just that. Preserve America promotes cultural and
natural preservation and encourages greater appreciation of our
heritage -- from monuments and buildings to landscapes and main
streets. The Departments of Interior and Commerce and the Advisory
Council on Historic Preservation are strong partners in this
initiative.
Preserve America directs federal agencies to inventory and promote
greater use of historical sites, in partnerships with state, tribal and
local governments. This initiative will provide more opportunities for
preservation while increasing heritage tourism and economic
development.
Portland is a great example of a community that's using its past to
build a better future. Downtown has museums and galleries on almost
every corner. Old Port is one of the most successfully revitalized
districts in the country. In Parkside and the West End, streets once
full of deteriorating houses now show signs of neighborhood pride. On
Commercial Street, new architecture is merging with 19th century
warehouses. And under Portland's preservation program, landmarks such
as City Hall are receiving the resources and the support they deserve.
Preserve America supports and promotes efforts like this. America's
downtowns are vital parts of our communities. By ensuring their
success, we strengthen America.
Another goal of Preserve America is to promote the conservation of
and the enjoyment of our natural resources. Our open spaces are
sanctuaries for learning and reflection. Thanks to conservation
efforts, one beautiful place visitors can enjoy is Fort Williams Park
on Cape Elizabeth. Established in 1894, the fort served as
headquarters for the harbor defenses of Portland during World War II.
In 1963, Fort Williams closed, but the residents of Cape Elizabeth
wanted to preserve its history. They collected more than $200,000 and
reopened the fort as a park. Today, nearly one million people enjoy the
scenic coastal trails every year. Fort Williams is also home to the
Portland Head Light, Maine's first lighthouse and the oldest U.S.
lighthouse in continuous operation.
The final component of Preserve America is honoring communities
like Portland for their hard work. The Presidential Award for Preserve
America will reward projects that achieve public benefits through
preservation. And communities that integrate preservation and tourism
may apply to be Preserve America communities. John Nau will describe
the application process in just a few moments. These awards will
highlight model projects and encourage community leaders to share their
experiences with others.
Preserve America will help save our past and ensure a future filled
with opportunities for learning and enjoyment. This initiative and the
awards and federal support will provide strong incentives for continued
preservation of our cultural and natural resources. I commend you for
preserving Portland's historic past for visitors, neighbors and, most
important, for children.
In his poem, My Lost Youth, Longfellow wrote, "Often I think of the
beautiful town that is seated by the sea; often in thought go up and
down, the pleasant streets of that dear old town, and my youth comes
back to me." With your continued work to preserve your heritage, all
who visit this city by the sea and who live in its historic streets
will think of Portland as home. Thank you very much. (Applause.)
3:40 P.M. EST END
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