Codey to Congress: Magic number is 1776

[Kire]

Governor pushes for $10 million to save Revolutionary War sites
Wednesday, August 10, 2005
BY TOM HESTER
Star-Ledger Staff

Acting Gov. Richard Codey yesterday signed an executive order designed to goad Congress to approve legislation that would create a "Crossroads of the American Revolution National Heritage Area" in New Jersey and provide $10 million to assist in the preservation of nearly 300 sites connected with the Revolution.

The order creates a state heritage area for the same 14-county area that a federal heritage area would encompass. But Kelley Heck, Codey's spokeswoman, said no state money would be provided to support a state area if the federal effort falls through.

"It (the state designation) is indeed intended to demonstrate the significance of New Jersey in the American Revolution and support the federal initiative, which does have preservation funding attached," Heck said.

The area encompasses 14 counties and 213 cities and towns where Revolutionary War sites are located. It includes Bergen, Burlington, Camden, Essex, Gloucester, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Passaic, Somerset and Union counties.

More: http://www.nj.com/statehouse/ledger/index.ssf?/base/news-0/112365358736540.xml&coll=1