Hoyer Receives Special Award at National Trust, HGTV's Fifth Annual Restore America Gala

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (D-MD), who was selected as a National Trust/HGTV Restore America Hero, was honored last evening at the Fifth Annual National Trust/HGTV Restore America Gala at Union Station in Washington, D.C. Rep. Hoyer was one of five champions honored at the event who have led efforts to preserve, restore and revitalize their communities. The other honorees included: Mrs. Laura Bush, First Lady of the United States; United Technologies Corporation of Hartford, CT; Bill Watanabe, Executive Director of the Little Tokyo Service Center in Los Angeles; and Bob R. Simpson, CEO of XTO Energy in Fort Worth.

"I share this award with the citizens of Southern Maryland who have worked so hard to preserve our historical treasures for future generations – and with everyone around the nation whose efforts have been instrumental in our preservation successes," stated Rep. Hoyer. "We have a saying in Maryland that goes – ‘We must ensure that Maryland's character determines our future development, rather than let development determine Maryland's character.' And when we take action in defense of the sites that commemorate our shared history, we fulfill the promise outlined in that adage."

In Congress, Rep. Hoyer has long been a leader on several key preservation issues. Over the years, he has sponsored and championed measures to recognize, protect, and restore a wide range of historic sites, from grand houses to humble tobacco barns, throughout Southern Maryland. Among other things, Rep. Hoyer is being honored for his work in securing funding to restore the Thomas Stone National Historic Site, the Sotterly Plantation, Southern Maryland Tobacco Barns, the reconstruction of the Brick Chapel at Historic St. Mary's City, and the preservation of Historic Linden.

The Restore America Hero award honors public officials, private citizens, and corporations whose energy, vision, and leadership have had a significant impact on the preservation of the nation's historic and cultural legacy. The awards are jointly sponsored by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and HGTV.

"Each of the Restore America Heroes has made significant contributions to the preservation of America's communities through their unyielding commitment, vision, and leadership," said Richard Moe, president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. "The National Trust is pleased to join HGTV in honoring them with this prestigious award."

Since 2003, HGTV's Restore America program has provided $4 million to fund 48 restoration projects around the country. HGTV has donated $1 million for the 2006-2007 campaign to fund community revitalization grants. In addition to providing funds to support the community projects, HGTV is producing public service announcements for each community project site that will be featured on HGTV and HGTV.com beginning in October 2006, allowing news about these projects and the message of preservation to reach more than 89 million U.S. households.

"We're proud to join the National Trust for Historic Preservation as we continue to contribute in a more tangible way to the preservation of America's past," said Judy Girard, President of HGTV. "By using the broad reach of our television network and Web site, HGTV and the National Trust have helped to raise the awareness level of preservation activities across the country."

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