{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://mfume.house.gov/media/press-releases/congress-extends-baltimore-national-heritage-area-funding-by-13-years", "Congress Extends Baltimore National Heritage Area Funding by 13 Years", "2022-12-22", "2022", "2022-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "Kweisi Mfume", "M000687", "mfume.house.gov", "mfume", "https://mfume.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Today, Congressman Kweisi Mfume (MD-07) and Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) announced passage of legislation they led to reauthorize the Baltimore National Heritage Area funding through 2037. The legislation, co-led by Congressmen Dutch Ruppersberger (MD-02) and John Sarbanes (MD-03), ensures federal support for the Baltimore National Heritage Area\u2019s efforts to promote and preserve Baltimore\u2019s history and the ongoing efforts to highlight Baltimore\u2019s contributions to our nation\u2019s story. The legislation was passed by the U.S. Senate on December 20, 2022, and passed the U.S. House of Representatives today as one of the last actions by this Congress. It now goes to President Biden to be signed into law.\n\n\u201cThere are so many stories to tell about every community in Baltimore. We have a rich history and legacy that needs to be told over and over again. Indeed, we hold the keys to many national treasures, big and small. The Baltimore National Heritage Area, which encompasses most of my Congressional District, serves a unique role in our City by attracting tourism, educating our youth, and celebrating this City\u2019s history and culture,\u201d said Congressman Mfume. \u201cI am immensely proud to have successfully reauthorized the Baltimore National Heritage Area funding well before it was set to expire in 2024,\u201d he concluded.\n\n\"The Baltimore National Heritage Area showcases the rich historic and cultural legacy of Maryland's largest city,\u201d said Senator Cardin. \u201cExtending this impactful federal designation ensures local agencies and non-profits can continue to recognize and protect our heritage resources and serve residents and visitors alike through recreational and educational opportunities.\"\n\nShauntee Daniels, Executive Director of the Baltimore National Heritage Area, said on the bill's passage: \u201cIt ensures that Baltimore\u2019s strong connection to the history of the country is preserved for many generations to come. It also will continue to allow the National Heritage Area to invest in programs, projects and initiatives which are unique to Baltimore and our Nation\u2019s history. It is our mission to work with public and private partners to create spaces that engage youth and adults to live, work and play.\u201d\n\nThis legislation adopted, with technical corrections, the language of the Baltimore National Heritage Area Reauthorization Act that Congressman Mfume introduced as a standalone bill in March of 2022. Senator Cardin introduced an identical measure in the Senate on the same day.\n\nBaltimore National Heritage Area Reauthorization \u2013 Additional Information\n\nContinues Critical Federal Support to Preserve Historic Baltimore\n\nPrior to this bill\u2019s passage, the Baltimore National Heritage Area was authorized by the federal government through 2024.\n\nIf the federal government had not reauthorized the Baltimore National Heritage Area, it would have lost critical federal funding that supports its historical sites.\n\nThe federal support goes to local agencies and non-profits who preserve and promote Baltimore\u2019s pivotal role in our nation\u2019s story and make strategic investments in cultural heritage tourism projects.\n\nThe annual economic impact of the Baltimore National Heritage Area is more than $750 million, 6,400 jobs, and $61 million in state and tax revenue.\n\nThe Baltimore National Heritage Area has served more than 15,000 youth from underserved communities and provides continuous operation and program support to 35 historic museums, cultural attractions, and historic neighborhoods through a competitive grant program.\n\nThis bill extends the Baltimore National Heritage Area\u2019s authorization until 2037 and modifies the boundary to include additional historic neighborhoods.\n\nMore details about the Baltimore National Heritage Area can be found here: https://www.explorebaltimore.org/.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://mfume.house.gov/media/press-releases/congress-extends-baltimore-national-heritage-area-funding-by-13-years"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.8259748574346304, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}