New appropriation includes $500, in funds
U.S. Rep. John Murtha (D-Johnstown) said the fiscal year 2004 Interior Appropriation that passed the House and Senate last week includes nearly $3.8 million for heritage-tourism development efforts, including $500,000 to help develop special programs, interpretation and linkage of sites for the 250th anniversary of the French and Indian War. Murtha said the programs developed to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the French and Indian War beginning in 2004 will provide fun and educational opportunities for residents of the region while also attracting tourists’ dollars to support the region’s economy. War for Empire Inc., based in Pittsburgh, has been created to raise money for public and private sources to promote the anniversary and among other things is supporting the production of a public television documentary.
In the last several years, Murtha, a member of the Interior Appropriations Subcommittee, said he has focused on upgrading some of the region’s French and Indian War sites. He has obtained funds to develop a new education and interpretive center at Fort Necessity National Battlefield, as well as funds to improve Braddock’s Grave and expand Fort Ligonier in Westmoreland County.
Other key regional sites associated with the war include Fort Pitt Museum in Pittsburgh and Bushy Run Battlefield in Westmoreland County. Several largely undeveloped sites also may figure into the commemorative events, including Kittanning in Armstrong County and Braddock in Allegheny County.
“Tourism is the biggest industry in the world and the No. 2 industry in Pennsylvania, and when we see the types of national publicity that come about from the 250th anniversary, we should see a rise in visitation to many of these sites,” Murtha said.
In addition, Murtha added to the appropriation $2.5 million for the Southwestern Pennsylvania Heritage Preservation Commission, to enhance education, conservation and recreation opportunities, enrich visitor experiences and improve quality of life in communities along the Path of Progress National Heritage Tour Route.
Murtha also secured $298,000 to assist with the planning phase of the Flight 93 National Memorial at the new Somerset County site, which commemorates the fatal crash on Sept. 11, 2001.