U.S. Rep. Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson (R-PA) recently sponsored bipartisan legislation that would honor his 15th congressional district in northwest Pennsylvania as the birthplace of the nation’s oil industry.
“We have made significant contributions to American culture, and this designation helps to ensure they’ll long be remembered and treasured,” Rep. Thompson said on Jan. 17.
The Oil Region National Heritage Area Reauthorization Act, H.R. 642, would reauthorize the Oil Region National Heritage Area’s federal charter through 2026. Pennsylvania’s Oil Region National Heritage Area is the country’s 25th of 49 National Heritage Areas, which were designated by law in 2004 as places where historic, cultural and natural resources together form nationally important regions that, unlike national parks, are largely lived-in landscapes.
Rep. Thompson first introduced the same-named H.R. 6507 in July 2018. However, the full U.S. House of Representatives never voted on the measure following consideration and bill markup by the U.S. House Natural Resources Committee, which is now reviewing the new bill, H.R. 642.
“I am thrilled to reintroduce this important legislation that directly helps northwestern Pennsylvania grow and thrive while maintaining our rich heritage,” Rep. Thompson said last week in introducing H.R. 642 with original cosponsors U.S. Reps. Mike Kelly (R-PA) and Paul Tonko (D-NY).
Thus far, the National Heritage Area designation has positively impacted tourism, business growth and economic development throughout 34 municipalities in northwest Pennsylvania, according to John Phillips, president and CEO of the Oil Region Alliance.
“Extending the sunset date will enable pivotal programmatic and financial assistance from the National Park Service to continue the Oil Region National Heritage Area’s programs and projects to preserve, promote, develop and support historical, educational, natural, recreational, commercial, and industrial resources” in several northwestern counties, Phillips said.