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Washington, DC–Santa Fe, NM– Senator Heinrich was honored as a Heritage Champion by the Alliance of National Heritage Areas (ANHA) on Wednesday at the ANHA annual Congressional Breakfast and Awards Reception. Senator Heinrich represents the Northern Rio Grande National Heritage Area (NRGNHA) and has been a staunch champion of National Heritage Areas, including playing a key role in ensuring the National Heritage Area Act could pass the Senate with unanimous consent. 

“Our National Heritage Areas (NHAs) support a wide range of arts and cultural organizations and historic sites, including in Hispanic and Pueblo communities in northern New Mexico. At the end of the last Congress, I was proud to champion legislation to provide our National Heritage Areas—including the Northern Rio Grande NHA in my home state of New Mexico—the stability and certainty they have long deserved,” Heinrich said. “I am proud that we got the bill across the finish line, and I look forward to seeing how National Heritage Areas across our country will grow their impact over the next 15 years.”

Heinrich and U. S. Representative Teresa Leger Fernández introduced legislation to support NHAs for the next 15 years. Commissioner Anna Hansen, President of the Women of NACo (National Association of Counties) has been instrumental in ensuring the reauthorizing of funds to NHAs. Hansen expressed her enthusiasm and gratitude once the reauthorization was given. “It was a huge effort by all the members of the Alliance of National Heritage Area and NACo and Senators and Representatives on both side of the aisle. Senator Heinrich played an important role in getting it approved and out of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee in the Senate, and Rep. Leger Fernandez encouraged leadership in the House to support this bill." 

(Senator Heinrich's quote appeared in the Los Alamos Daily Post.)

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