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I am not suggesting with these questions that historic preservation is guilty of any unpardonable sin. I only suggest that if in fact we have come of age, the time is ripe to smooth out rough edges.
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And to move out.	,
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I believe that preservation, as I have seen it, is doing that. Our Federal/ State partnership justly can claim a major role in the process. This is particularly evident in the national perspective so commendably reflected in your national conference?s formulation of goals and objectives. I want us to take still more dynamic initiatives together.
To that purpose, I have today asked Dr. Ernest Connally, associate director of the Heritage Conservation and Recreation Service, to begin immediately a comprehensive, and ongoing, assessment of historic preservation activity in America. This initiative, which I am convinced will prove challenging and significant, will employ a systematic policy planning approach that already has proven fruitful in developing nationwide policy for the recreation element of the Heritage Conservation and Recreation Service.
The initial steps will be identification and selection of issues confronting the preservation movement. Task forces then will be established to address specific issues and develop options for Federal action by the Department of the Interior and the Heritage Conservation and Recreation Service. Throughout this process there will be broad public and private participation by agencies and groups with preservation-related interests, as well as full recognition that State historic preservation plans must reflect the diversity of State heritages and the differing contexts in which preservation is carried out.
Once these steps have been completed, the Department will determine options to be implemented. This thorough, nationwide policy planning process must be continuing and keyed to the Federal budget cycle.
I expect this effort to go a long way toward bringing fuller recognition that the preservation movement is a positive force in the mainstream of America's social and economic development.
I believe it will be valuable in shedding light on the movement's relationship to broad national objectives in urban policy, economic revitalization, neighborhood and energy conservation, rural development, housing, employment, land use, fair treatment of potentially displaced people and business, and public planning in the fullest sense at every level of Government.
And I expect the effort will be productive in defining specific actions the preservation movement should take in respect to identification and evaluation of cultural resources; improved public outreach programs; technical training of preservation craftsmen and professionals; allocation of public monies to projects that exemplify creative funding and adaptive use strategies as well as the highest possible standards of treatment for