The Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area

Alvin Rosenbaum's Testimony on H.R. 2628 contains much of the historical justification for making the counties of Colbert, Franklin, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, and Morgan, in Northwest Alabama a national heritage area.  (original link)

MUSCLE SHOALS NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA STUDY ACT: On April 30, 2002, under "suspension of the rules," the House of Representatives passed legislation (H.R. 2628), introduced by Representative Robert E. Cramer (D-AL), to direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study to assess the suitability and feasibility of establishing the Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area in northwest Alabama. The bill seeks to examine the area's long history relating to Native Americans, industry, transportation and music. When the measure was considered by the House earlier in the year, the bill was supported by the National Park Service. The measure was shepherded through the House by Representative James Hansen (R-UT), Chair of the House parks subcommittee; it was agreed to without objection. Having passed the House, the bill now goes to the Senate where it will be considered by the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

On Tuesday, December 17, 2002, the President signed into law H.R. 2628, "Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area Study Act of 2002," which requires the Department of the Interior to study the suitability and feasibility of establishing the Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area in Alabama.

MUSCLE SHOALS NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA ACT:  On July 27, 2006 Rep. Robert E. Cramer (D-AL) introduced without co-sponsors H.R. 5930 which names the counties which makes up the Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area and authorizes the funding of projects in furtherance of the provisions of the bill.  It was referred to the Subcommittee on National Parks on August 7, 2006.