SAN ANTONIO, Texas (AP) - The Daughters of the Republic of Texas have taken care of the Alamo for more than a century. Now, the ladies are looking for help.
The group was joined by Texas first lady Anita Perry on Tuesday in launching its first membership program to raise money to preserve the site.
Visitors have long visited the Alamo for free, and the group would like to keep it that way without using taxpayer money.
Perry told about 500 people packed into the Shrine of Texas Liberty that they shouldn't let the Alamo's stories fade. The event marked the anniversary of the start of the siege that preceded the famed 1836 battle.
San Antonio tourism officials say the Alamo generates 100,000 jobs and pumps $11 billion into the economy each year. The daughters announced a $60 million preservation and construction plan in 2007.
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On the Net:
The Alamo: www.thealamo.org
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Information from: San Antonio Express-News, http://www.mysanantonio.com
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
