[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 175 (Tuesday, November 7, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H11788]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               INTERIOR APPROPRIATIONS CONFERENCE REPORT

  (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, I commend all the previous speakers for 
their eloquence on the assassination of Prime Minister Rabin.
  Mr. Speaker, later this week the House will consider for the second 
time the conference report on H.R. 1977. Even though this bill was sent 
back to committee, the new reported version is still completely 
unacceptable.
  This conference report undermines our commitments to native 
Americans, our National Park System, and our precious national culture.
  This bill slashes the budget of the National Park System at a time 
when more of our constituents are using the parks.
  In this bill the budget for the National Park System is cut by $68 
million.
  This bill provides only $1 for management of the Mojave National 
Preserve, a newly established California park.
  It eliminates $15 million for efforts to improve visitor safety and 
security at National Parks.
  Despite public outcry about exploiting our national resources, this 
bill allows clearcutting in the Tongass National Forest.
  This bill also undermines our commitments and treaty obligations to 
native Americans.
  In this conference report native American programs will be cut by 
$184 million from last year's levels.
  The crippling reductions targeted at tribes will significantly reduce 
support for essential tribal government services such as law 
enforcement, housing improvement, health care, Indian child welfare, 
and adult vocational training.
  This conference report cuts $136 million more from Indian programs 
than the original House bill.
  Make no mistake that this bill also jeopardizes the ability to 
provide important cultural, education, and artistic programs for 
communities across this country.
  This bill eliminates 39 percent of funding for the National Endowment 
for the Arts. These cuts mean less dollars for communities in your 
district to help them bring ballet and orchestra, opera, and theatre 
performances to your constituents.
  I urge my colleagues to do what is right to protect our environment, 
to do what is right for native American children and our cultural 
heritage. Vote ``no'' on the Interior appropriations conference report.

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