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Column
The Dispatch (Columbus, OH)
4-11-00
Some politicians in Washington are trying to ensure that Ohio gets federal dollars for maintaining its historic places.
Legislation pending in the U.S. House of Representatives would funnel federal dollars to Ohio, Illinois, Indiana and Michigan for historic sites dating 1785-1835.
Critics have argued that the bulk of the federal money designated for that purpose is gobbled up by national parks and historic sites along the East Coast.
The legislation, written by U.S. Rep. Mark Souder of Indiana, would establish a Northwest Territory of the Great Lakes National Heritage Area. Creating the heritage area would draw more federal dollars for preservation projects in the region, supporters say.
Ohio sites mentioned for consideration in the legislation include the Fallen Timbers State Memorial in Maumee; Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial at Put-in-Bay in Lake Erie; and Fort Recovery, a battle site in Mercer County.
"Congressman Souder introduced this legislation because the history of our region is important to America's development as a nation," said Angela Flood, a Souder spokeswoman. "Our area is often overlooked when it comes to designating historical areas. Without Ohio, Indiana, Michigan and Illinois and the people and events that shaped them, America would have been a much different country."
Souder's bill is co-sponsored by eight representatives from Ohio: John A. Boehner, R-West Chester; Paul E. Gillmor, R-Old Fort; Stephanie Tubbs Jones, D-Cleveland; Marcy Kaptur, D-Toledo; Steven C. LaTourette, R-Madison; Michael G. Oxley, R-Findlay; Rob Portman, R-Cincinnati; and Tom Sawyer, D-Akron.
The authority overseeing the heritage area would include representatives from the governor's office and the historical society in each state.
Two Interior Department officials plus American Indian representatives also would be members of the authority.
Other federal legislation was passed recently that will put 185 acres of the Fallen Timbers Battlefield under the protection of the National Park Service.
That was done to fend off threats of development.
Troops under Anthony Wayne defeated a confederation of Indian tribes at the site in 1794. At the time, the British had not relinquished their hold on the Ohio Country after the Revolution. When the Indians were defeated, the British withdrew.
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