[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 145 (Monday, September 18, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H9037]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          104TH CONGRESS OUT OF TOUCH WITH THE AMERICAN PEOPLE

  (Mr. RICHARDSON asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, today we are going to take up H.R. 260, 
a bill that will close many of our national parks.
  Millions of Americans spent their summer vacations visiting Mount 
Rushmore, Bandolier, Independence Hall and the Statue of Liberty. In 
fact, 270 million visitors came to our parks this year.
  As is often the case, the 104th Congress is out of touch with the 
American people. On the suspension calendar today will be H.R. 260. The 
vote will take place tomorrow. There is no reason for this bill to be 
on suspension.
  All we had asked for, those of us who are concerned with this bill, 
is an amendment that would have permitted an alternative. An 
alternative through concessions, through increased fees, through a 
trust fund, we can finance these parks.
  Mr. Speaker, let us make sure we have a process here. Let us have 
H.R. 260 sent back to the Committee on Rules.
  The environmental community is against this. The Clinton 
administration is against this bill.
  Let us have proper debate on it. Let us not get rushed on our 
national parks. We do not need a park closure commission. We need 
better management and new ways to finance our national parks.

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