HUD PRESENTS PRESERVE AMERICA CHECK TO MADISON, GEORGIA

MADISON, GA - At an event held today, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Atlanta Regional
Director Bob Young awarded and presented Madison, Georgia Mayor Pro Tem Barry Lurey, a ceremonial Preserve America check for $34,458. Joining HUD Atlanta Regional Director Bob Young and Mayor DuPree was Madison Bicentennial Committee, Madison Historic Preservation Commission, and other local leaders.

In an effort to promote the Preserve America initiative and preserve historic communities, HUD has partnered with
the Advisory Council, other federal agencies, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the National Endowment for the Humanities, the President's Council on Environmental Quality, and the President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities. First Lady Laura Bush is the honorary chair of Preserve America. To date, 521 communities have been designated as Preserve America communities.

The funds awarded today were provided for the Madison Bicentenniel Heritage Program which will illuminate
Madison, Georgia's diverse history and provide permanent interpretive information for the physical representations
of the town's past.

Preserve America is a White House initiative that encourages and supports community efforts to preserve and enjoy our priceless cultural and natural heritage. The goals of the initiative include a greater shared knowledge about the nation's past, strengthened regional identities and local pride, increased local participation in preserving the
country's cultural and natural heritage assets, and support for the economic vitality of our communities.

"In addition to governments, the private sector - businesses, philanthropic groups, historical organizations, educational institutions, and private citizens - also have a crucial role to play. Public-private partnerships are
already supporting excellent preservation work throughout our country, and they'll be vital to preserving our
national treasures in the years ahead," said Mrs. Bush.

For further information on the Preserve America initiative go to: www.preserveamerica.gov

For local information contact: Ann Huff, (706) 352-1251 ext. 206.
For further information contact: Linda Allen, HUD Public Affairs, (404) 331-5001 ext. 2012.

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