[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 78 (Monday, June 20, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: June 20, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                     DISNEY THEME PARK IN VIRGINIA

  Mr. DeCONCINI. Mr. President, on an entirely different subject, I 
read with real interest the article in the Washington Post on Friday, 
June 17, 1994, entitled ``For Disney, Fight Takes New Twist.''
  The basis of the ``new twist'' referred to in this article was the 
resolution introduced by Representative Andrews, of Texas, stating that 
the proposed Disney theme park not be constructed near the Manassas 
National Battlefield.
  Mr. President, as long as the proposed park is in compliance with 
Federal environmental and other issues, I see no reason whatsoever for 
Federal Government or congressional involvement in this issue. Despite 
the protestations of the author of this resolution in the House, there 
just is not a national issue involved into whether or not the Disney 
Corp. has a theme park in Maryland or Virginia, or what have you. It 
truly is a local issue, and the final decision on the theme park should 
be left in the hands of the local jurisdiction. They are going to 
consider the needs of traffic, the needs of pollution, the needs of 
congestion, the safety needs, and whatever else is necessary.
  This is exactly the type of issue into which the Federal Government 
ought not to poke its nose, in my judgment. It is Big Brother at its 
worst, and we have no business in it.
  I hope someone does not do the same on this side. It just does not 
make any sense. We have enough Federal problems facing us. We have a 
bill right now for which we are trying to get Members to come over, and 
I sure hope they do not come over and introduce a resolution 
encouraging that Walt Disney Corp. not build something for the pleasure 
and enjoyment of people and for the profit of the Disney company. There 
is nothing wrong in that.
  Anybody who has visited any of these Disney facilities will find out 
just how well run they are and what a good economic base they are. But 
that is up to the company, and they have decided, from what I read in 
the paper. It is up to the local governments representing those people 
as to how it will be done. I do not think anybody at the Federal level 
ought to be intervening.
  I realize I cannot stop anybody, but this is one person's opinion, 
and we ought to just pay attention to health care, welfare reform, the 
crime bill and some of the pressing things that are before us, plus 12 
more appropriations subcommittee bills that have to be approved by this 
body, a Supreme Court nominee that has to be approved by the full 
Senate.
  So we have our hands full. We certainly do not need to muck around 
here. I, for one, think the Disney Corp. does an outstanding job with 
the properties I visited. If they do not want to come here, I can 
assure them the State of Arizona--I can almost speak for that State and 
local government--would be delighted to see them come and build a theme 
park near Phoenix or Tucson.
  I ask unanimous consent that the article be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the article was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

                   For Disney, Fight Takes New Twist


      Group in Congress Seeks to Block Park; Eisner Meets Leaders

               (By Stephen C. Fehr and Michael D. Shear)

       The fight over building a Walt Disney Co. theme park in 
     Northern Virginia swept onto the national stage yesterday as 
     a group of U.S. House members vowed to block the project and 
     Disney chief Michael D. Eisner launched his own charge on 
     Washington at a Capitol Hill lunch and a movie premiere.
       ``This is a national issue,'' declared Rep. Michael A. 
     Andrews (D-Tex.), who introduced a resolution yesterday that 
     he said sends a message to Disney not to build the $650 
     million project near the Manassas National Battlefield Park 
     in Prince William County.
       ``It's not a county issue. It's not just a Virginia issue. 
     We in Congress have a challenge to protect our national 
     parks,'' Andrews said.
       The lawmakers' midday announcement came as Eisner, Disney's 
     chairman, was having lunch in the Capitol with House Speaker 
     Thomas S. Foley (D-Wash.) and about 30 other lawmakers. Hours 
     later, Eisner attended the Washington premiere of the 
     company's new animated motion picture, ``The Lion King,'' and 
     a party at the National Zoo, which attracted hundreds of 
     invited, well-connected Washingtonians.
       ``There is no basis for which the federal government should 
     be involved,'' Eisner said after the lunch, even as Andrews 
     and other lawmakers promised to ``spare no effort'' to stop 
     the theme park.
       Andrews, a Civil War buff who was instrumental in blocking 
     a shopping center near Manassas National Battlefield Park in 
     1988, charged that Disney's America would ``create a whole 
     new city'' that would destroy the character of two national 
     parks and numerous Civil War monuments in the area.
       Andrews said he is not opposed to Disney or the park, as 
     long as the project is built in another location.
       Since the company unveiled its plans last fall, the fight 
     over Disney's America has built gradually from a neighborhood 
     squabble to a high-stakes struggle involving 
     environmentalists, historians, federal agencies and now 
     Congress. On Tuesday, a Senate subcommittee hearing should 
     draw nationwide attention as some of the country's most 
     eminent historians square off against Disney executives and 
     local boosters.
       Andrew's resolution, which, if approved, would only express 
     Congress's opinion and would not have the force of law, asks 
     Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt and other federal 
     officials to ensure that Disney's America ``is in strict 
     compliance'' with federal environmental laws.
       The Interior Department is one of the federal agencies 
     conducting an environmental assessment of the road 
     improvements needed for the Disney project. Under law, the 
     secretary can recommend against projects that might damage 
     historical parks, monuments and other ``areas of special 
     national or regional natural, recreational, scenic or 
     historic value.''
       Eisner met with Babbitt for about half an hour this week to 
     present plans for the theme park. Eisner has been making the 
     rounds in Washington, although Foley emphasized that the 
     luncheon yesterday was not planned to give Eisner on 
     opportunity to build support for the project.
       However, the theme park was discussed, according to several 
     senators and representatives who were there. Eisner told the 
     officials that Disney's America would reflect U.S. history 
     responsibly and would make the best use of the 3,000-acre 
     site near Haymarket.
       ``That was the principal issue that Mr. Eisner talked 
     about, but it was not a long discussion,'' and Sen. Bob 
     Graham (D-Fla). Referring to Walt Disney World, the senator 
     said he asked Eisner whether Washington was ready for the 
     kind of development that occurred with the Orlando, Fla., 
     park.
       ``Washington should be so lucky,'' Eisner replied.
       Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell (D-Colo.) said he told Eisner 
     that if he decided to pull out of Virginia, Colorado would be 
     glad to have the project. ``I think the historical 
     preservation is a red herring.'' Campbell said.
       Rep. Leslie L. Byrne (D-Va.), who also attended the lunch, 
     said Eisner expressed surprise at the intensity of the 
     opposition and the ``deep pockets'' of the opponents, many of 
     whom live in the horse-farm country of Fauquier County, 
     adjacent to Prince William.
       The entry of Andrews and others into the Disney fight drew 
     immediate criticism from Byrne and other Northern Virginia 
     lawmakers.
       Sen. John Warner (R-Va.) said he would oppose the 
     resolution if it is brought to the Senate, Rep. Frank R. Wolf 
     (R-Va.), whose district would include Disney's America, said 
     he opposed the resolution, but would not take a position on 
     the Disney project.
       Rep. Robert G. Torricelli (D-N.J.), who joined Andrews and 
     Rep. Tim Roemer (D-Ind.) at the news conference, said, ``As 
     caretakers of American history and these battlefields for 
     future generations, our answer to Disney is simply, `Thank 
     you but no thanks.'''
       Americans should learn about the Civil War from historians, 
     Torricelli said, ``not Minnie and Mickey Mouse and Donald 
     Duck.''
       Later in the day, Eisner traveled across the city to the 
     Uptown Theatre for the premiere of ``The Lion King.'' He and 
     about 1,000 invited guests, including Vice President Gore, 
     were met by about 100 protesters who had arrived on a 
     chartered bus from Haymarket. They carried anti-Disney signs 
     and a large plastic foam caricature of Eisner.
       ``Liesner'' read a label on the foam head.
       Both Prince William Supervisor Bobby McManus (I-
     Gainesville) and local battlefield preservationist Annie 
     Snyder were among the protesters outside the art deco theater 
     on Connecticut Avenue in Northwest Washington. Sylvia Gilman, 
     another of the protesters who paid $10 each for the ride to 
     Washington, said Eisner's appearance at the film was part of 
     a calculated public relations gambit.
       ``This is part of the plan,'' she said of Eisner's visit to 
     Washington. ``You show them your animated film that isn't 
     controversial and you do it in Washington, where the senators 
     and congressmen are.''
       After the movie, the Disney Company threw a lavish party 
     for the Prince William residents and Washington elite at the 
     National Zoo, next to the lion pen. With the movie's 
     soundtrack playing in the background, guests drank from 
     several open bars and fed on delicacies that included rack of 
     lamb, grilled shrimp, crab cakes, beef tenderloin and salmon.
       Disney officials said earlier the company has given an 
     undisclosed amount of money to the zoo. Opponents of the 
     theme park contended yesterday that the gift was intended to 
     sway the Smithsonian Institution, which operates the zoo and 
     has expressed concern about the impact of the theme park on 
     the historical area around Manassas.
       Disney officials denied that. ``The National Zoo is a very 
     important and worthwhile institution and we're happy to 
     celebrate it and our movie,'' Disney's America General 
     Manager Mark Pacala said.
       Meanwhile, the anti-Disney coalition of environmental and 
     historical groups continued their assault on Disney's pending 
     rezoning application.
       At an early morning news conference, the Piedmont 
     Environmental Council, a group opposing the theme park, 
     charged that approval of Disney's application would allow for 
     millions of square feet more development than Disney has said 
     it would build.
       Disney's America officials fired back with their own news 
     conference, calling the allegations ``inaccurate'' and 
     ``absurd.'' Pacala insisted that Disney's public promises to 
     limit development at the site are legally binding under their 
     zoning proposals.

  Mr. DeCONCINI. I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The bill clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. DeCONCINI. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Mathews). Without objection, it is so 
ordered.

                          ____________________