[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 146 (Tuesday, September 19, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1809-E1810]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                NATIONAL PARK SYSTEM REFORM ACT OF 1995

                                 ______


                               speech of

                             HON. JACK REED

                            of rhode island

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 18, 1995

  Mr. REED. Mr. Speaker, I recognize the serious difficulties that face 
our National Park System, including the deterioration of our public 
lands and the impact of likely budget cuts. Like many of my colleagues, 
I strongly believe that we must address these challenges. However, I do 
not believe that H.R. 260 is the best way to do so.
  Two bills intended to reform the National Park Service have been 
introduced to the House of Representatives this year. Both of these 
measures, H.R. 260 and H.R. 2181, recognize the need for efforts to 
improve the management of our national parks, but they adopt very 
different approaches toward this important goal.
  H.R. 2181 would generate the revenue that our National Park Service 
needs to improve its visitor services and repair roads and trails in 
parks across the country. This bill would require individuals who sell 
concessions in our national parks to provide a fair return to our 
Nation's citizens for the first time in decades. H.R. 2181 would also 
make modest modifications in the fees charged for the use of our 
national parks and would direct the added revenue toward the needs of 
the National Park System.
  H.R. 260 would require the Interior Department to develop a 
comprehensive plan for the 

[[Page E1810]]
future of the National Park System. This bill, however, would also 
create a closure commission to recommend which of our nation's park 
units should be closed or privatized. Among the likely targets of such 
a commission would be hundreds of small, but important parks across the 
country.
  One such park is the Roger Williams National Memorial in Providence, 
RI. This park is very small, both in its area and its demands on 
Federal funding, but it meets a large need of many Rhode Islanders. 
Each year, nearly 150,000 people visit the park, which, like its 
namesake, represents the best of our country. Roger Williams, who 
founded my home State, remains a proud example of our Nation's 
commitment to religious freedom. The park bearing his name honors his 
contribution to our Nation's history and provides Rhode Islanders with 
a needed recreational and environmentally preserved area in our State's 
capital city.
  The status of the Roger Williams National Memorial and the hundreds 
of parks like it nationwide is a critical issue that deserves full and 
open debate. However, by bringing H.R. 260 to the floor under 
suspension of the rules, the Republican majority prevents open debate 
on this issue. Today, the House will not even consider H.R. 2181, 
despite the fact that this well-crafted measure is sponsored by 
distinguished members of both parties.
  I urge my colleagues to stand for open debate on the future of our 
national parks. I urge my colleagues to oppose H.R. 260.

                          ____________________