WASHINGTON — Rep. Mike Turner Wednesday aligned himself with first lady Laura Bush and former first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton on perhaps the one subject the two women agree on politically: making permanent two federal grant programs that aim to preserve and promote historic sites in America.

Flanked by the two women, Turner, R-Centerville, who is co-chair of the House Historic Preservation Caucus, Wednesday announced legislation to make permanent Save America's Treasures, a grant program that pays for threatened or endangered collections or historic properties that are nationally significant and Preserve America's Treasures, a grant program that aims to promote heritage tourism.

Both are set to expire at the end of the Bush administration.

Turner credited both programs — the product of the Clinton White House and Bush White House, respectively — with preserving important sites in Dayton.

In 2006, Wright Dunbar Inc., representing a coalition of Dayton area organizations involved in cultural heritage tourism, accepted a $70,000 Preserve America grant to study how best to connect Dayton's historic sites, including Wright-Dunbar Business Village, Carillon Historical Park and the National Museum of the United States Air Force. And in 2000, the Dunbar House, where famed poet Paul Laurence Dunbar lived, received a $100,000 federal grant to improve the site's house and detached barn.

Dayton is one of nearly 550 Preserve America communities, a designation that makes the city eligible for federal grants.

Richard Moe, president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, said the legislation will be key to helping save otherwise endangered sites.

"There is a formal role for historic preservation," he said. "And this legislation more clearly defines it than anything that's come before."