Civil War Preservation Trust Praises Governor Rendell's Condemnation of Casino Proposal

Pennsylvania Governor joins tens of thousands of Americans opposed to the idea of a casino on the doorstep of hallowed ground

GETTYSBURG, Pa., Sept. 22 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Civil War Preservation Trust (CWPT) joined the National Trust for Historic Preservation, National Parks Conservation Association and Preservation Pennsylvania today in writing to Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell, praising him for his recent comments against the highly controversial Gettysburg casino proposal. In a televised interview with the Pennsylvania Cable Network on September 16, 2010, Rendell told a concerned citizen that in regard to the casino, "Well, I'm still opposed to it . . . I just think it's the wrong place for a casino."

Civil War Preservation Trust President James Lighthizer issued the following statement in support of Governor Rendell's opposition:

"On behalf of the Civil War Preservation Trust and its members, I want to applaud Governor Rendell for taking a stance and opposing this controversial project. Tens of thousands of Americans from across the country agree — Gettysburg is no place for a casino. Saying no to a Gettysburg casino is a legacy Governor Rendell can be proud of and I am certain the Gaming Board will value his opinion on the matter."

Governor Rendell's condemnation of this controversial proposal echoes his comments from 2005, during the last controversy over a Gettysburg casino, when he told reporters that "I wouldn't want a casino two blocks from the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia and if it were my decision, I wouldn't want it anywhere close to the historic area of Gettysburg." Then as now, the Civil War Preservation Trust applauded the Governor's leadership and concern for preserving the sanctity of Gettysburg.

The Civil War Preservation Trust continues to encourage concerned citizens to submit written comments to the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board on the issue by visiting: www.speakforthefallen.com or www.civilwar.org/nocasino.

With 55,000 members, the Civil War Preservation Trust is the largest nonprofit battlefield preservation organization in the United States.  Its mission is to preserve our nation's remaining Civil War battlefields and encourage their appreciation through education and heritage tourism.  Since 1987, the organization has saved more than 29,000 acres nationwide, including 700 acres at Gettysburg.

SOURCE Civil War Preservation Trust