[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 16 (Tuesday, February 6, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S915-S916]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. McCAIN:
  S. 1558. A bill to provide for reimbursement of States, political 
subdivisions, and persons that donated services, material, funds, or 
other things to allow the continued operation, during a period of time 
when appropriations were not available for the purpose, of all or any 
part of a public educational or recreational facility, and for other 
purposes; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

[[Page S916]]



                    government shutdown legislation

 Mr. McCAIN. Mr. President, this bill would require Federal 
agencies to reimburse States, localities, and individuals who donated 
funds and services to maintain operations at Federal recreational and 
tourist facilities during the recent Government shutdowns. Without 
these generous donations, attractions such as Grand Canyon National 
Park, Mount Rushmore, Carlsbad Caverns, the National Gallery of Art, 
Liberty Bell, and Independence Hall could not have continued operations 
during the lengthy Government closures last year. Thanks to the 
generosity of private citizens, States, and local governments we were 
able to ensure that innocent people were not turned away at the gates 
and that further economic loss was avoided.
  Grand Canyon visitors and local businesses particularly benefited 
from State and private donations during the most recent Government 
shutdown. As you know, Grand Canyon National Park officially closed for 
the first time in its 76-year history on November 16, 1995, during the 
first Government shutdown last year.
  The economic impact of the park's closure has been estimated at a 
loss of about $1 million per day in tourism revenue to the park and 
surrounding areas. By entering into an agreement with the Department of 
the Interior, the State of Arizona and private individuals donated 
almost $400,000 to prevent another park closure during the most recent 
Government shutdown which began on December 15, 1995, and lasted for 
more than 3 weeks.
  It is only right that we reimburse those who so generously donated 
their funds and services in order to shoulder the Federal Government's 
responsibility. I trust that my colleagues agree and that we can pass 
this bill expeditiously.
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