Montauk - Congressman Tim Bishop has sent a letter of support to make the Montauk Point Lighthouse the eighth National Historic Landmark in Suffolk County. The Lighthouse will be considered at the May 24 through May 26 meeting of the National Park System Advisory Board Landmarks Committee Meeting.

"The lighthouse is an iconic Long Island landmark and deserves to be included on our nation's list of historic treasurers," Congressman Bishop wrote in his letter to the National Historic Landmarks Program.

"I write this letter not only as a United States Congressman, but as a native of Eastern Long Island whose family has called this community home since the 1600s," Congressman Bishop added. "Over the past two centuries, the landscape of our island has changed so much, but the Montauk Lighthouse has remained a constant. I can show it to my grandson the way my grandfather could show it to me. It is my hope that with your support, it will receive the Landmark status it deserves so it can endure for generations to come."

Residents who wish can make their input known and send a comment to: J. Paul Loether, Chief, National Register of Historic Places and National Historic Landmarks Program, National Park Service; 1849 C Street, NW. #2280; Washington, DC 20240; E-mail: Paul_Loether@nps.gov. Congressman Bishop sent his letter after being contacted by the Montauk Historical Society which has spearheaded the effort.

"We owe a debt of gratitude to the Montauk Historical Society for their continued efforts to protect the heritage of our community," Congressman Bishop said. "Generations to come will benefit from their stewardship of our history."

The purpose of Landmark Status is to focus attention on properties of exceptional value to the nation. The program recognizes and promotes the preservation efforts of Federal, State and local agencies, as well as those of private organizations and individuals and encourages the owners of landmark properties to observe preservation precepts. Properties designated as National Historic Landmarks are listed in the National Register of Historic Places upon designation as National Historic Landmarks. There is limited federal funding available to National Landmarks through the Historic Preservation Fund.

There are 261 National Landmarks throughout New York including the following seven in Suffolk County: First Presbyterian Church (Old Whalers), Sag Harbor; Fort Corchaug Archeological Site, Southold; Thomas Moran House, East Hampton; William Sydney Mount House, Stony Brook; Old House, Cutchogue; Jackson Pollock House and Studio, East Hampton; Priscilla, West Sayville.