[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 167 (Thursday, October 26, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2060]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    THE NATIONAL PARKS CHECKOFF ACT

                                 ______


                        HON. JOHN J. DUNCAN, JR.

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 26, 1995

  Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, today I have introduced the National Parks 
Check-Off Act.
  The National Parks Check-off Act will amend the Internal Revenue Code 
to require that Federal income tax forms contain a line which will 
allow taxpayers to donate one or more dollars to the National Park 
Service. This legislation will provide more money for the care of our 
National Parks at no cost to the Federal Government.
  A recent study released by the National Parks and Conservation 
Association indicated that nearly 8 out of every 10 people surveyed 
would be willing to increase their tax contribution by $1 to benefit 
the National Park System.
  A similar checkoff for presidential campaigns raised over $71 million 
in 1994 alone. I believe that our National Parks are far more popular 
than presidential campaigns. Therefore, I believe we could raise 
hundreds of millions of dollars for our National Parks through this 
type of checkoff on income-tax forms.
  Recently, James Duffus, from the Government Accounting Office, 
testified at a joint hearing before the Senate Subcommittee on Parks, 
Historical Preservation and Recreation and the House Subcommittee on 
Parks, Forests and Public Lands. During his testimony, he stated: 
``Since substantial increases in appropriations are very unlikely in 
today's tight budget climate, difficult choices need to be made on the 
future of the national parks.''
  I believe there is at least one easy choice that can be made which 
will provide our parks with additional funding--the choice to allow 
taxpayers the opportunity to donate money for the care of our National 
Parks.
  I hope that my colleagues will join me in supporting this legislation 
which will help us improve the quality of our National Parks.

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