[Source: National Trust for Historic Preservation] -- The Santa Cruz Valley borderlands of southeastern Arizona, where Native American, Spanish Colonial, Mexican, and American Territorial cultures and traditions have intermingled for centuries, may become the sixth national heritage area in the West. Introduced by U.S. Representatives Gabrielle Giffords and Raul Grijalva, the bill creating the Santa Cruz Valley National Heritage Area passed the House of Representatives on October 24, 2007 in a 291 to 122 vote. It was part of broader bipartisan legislation authorizing six new heritage areas in nine states. Supporters of each area include residents, business interests, nonprofit organizations, and local and state governments.[Note: To read the full article, click here.]
