[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 55 (Thursday, April 25, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4191-S4194]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. MURKOWSKI (for himself, Mr. Johnston, Mr. Bennett, and Mr. 
        Kempthorne):
  S. 1703. A bill to amend the act establishing the National Park 
Foundation; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.


         the national park foundation act amendment act of 1996

  Mr. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, I rise today and along with my 
colleagues, Senators Johnston, Bennett, and Kempthorne to introduce a 
bill which, when enacted, will generate as much as $100 million 
annually from the private sector in support of our national parks.
  This legislation contains a number of amendments to the National Park 
Foundation Act, which I am pleased to say will revitalize and expand 
the scope of operations of the Foundation.
  An act of Congress created the National Park Foundation in 1967 as 
the official nonprofit partner of the National Park Service. The 
Foundation provides a vehicle for donors who want to contribute to 
national parks with the assurance that gifts will be carefully managed 
and used wholly and exclusively for the purpose specified by the donor.

[[Page S4192]]

  The Foundation provides a simple and direct way for individuals, 
corporations, and private foundations to help conserve and preserve the 
natural, cultural, and historical value of the national parks for the 
enjoyment of future generations.
  Mr. President, there are a number of organizations who claim to 
support our national parks, and to some extent they do. Unfortunately, 
there is little evidence that the parks ever receive any monetary or 
tangible benefits from these organizations.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to have three pages of the 
National Park Foundation's annual report printed in the Record which 
will show some of the benefits the Foundation provides.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

                            Financial Report

       The National Park Foundation continued to generate solid 
     financial results in fiscal year 1995, which ended June 30, 
     1995.
       Total revenue from all sources increased for the fifth 
     consecutive year, rising from $6.7 million in 1994 to $9.9 
     million in 1995. The major revenue item, contributions to the 
     Foundation, increased from $5.9 million to $6.3 million. 
     These contributions from individuals, corporations, 
     foundations, and through marketing programs and the Combined 
     Federal Campaign, play an important role in supporting the 
     Foundation's mission this year and in the future.
       Unrestricted revenue is used to support the Foundation's 
     discretionary grantmaking to the National Parks and to 
     support operations. Restricted revenue is used to benefit 
     specific parks or projects. The donor's designation is 
     honored through the years.
       Total grants made by the Foundation to the National Parks 
     increased 13 percent, from $2.3 million in 1994 to $2.6 
     million in 1995. Grants made from unrestricted funds totalled 
     $1 million and grants made from restricted funds totalled 
     $1.6 million. The Foundation has made grants totalling $10.4 
     million during the past five years.
       The Foundation's total expenditures for 1995 were $4.3 
     million. Grants to the National Parks and program related 
     expenditures accounted for 83 percent of that spending.
       The balance sheet remains in healthy condition. Assets are 
     $27.1 million at June 30, 1995, compared to $20.7 million a 
     year ago.
       Total fund balances increased 29 percent, from $19.9 
     million to $25.6 million. These fund balances, which will 
     benefit the National Parks in future years, have grown from 
     $9.6 million to the current $25.6 million during the past 
     five years.
       The management of restricted funds and programs is a major 
     activity of the Foundation. Restricted fund balances 
     increased from $8.3 million in 1994 to $12.5 million in 1995.
       The Permanent Fund balance, which acts as the Foundation's 
     endowment for resources so designated by the Board, increased 
     from $10.4 million to $11.9 million. The increase resulted 
     mainly from market appreciation in investments of $1.4 
     million. The increase in the Permanent Fund balance provides 
     the Foundation with the resources to meet the current and 
     future needs of the National Parks.
       The Foundation has successfully managed all funds received. 
     Total market value appreciation on invested funds was $2.4 
     million in 1995.
       The National Park Foundation is extremely grateful to the 
     many individual, philanthropic and corporate supporters who 
     have given generously of themselves to strengthen our 
     efforts.

                                            NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION                                            
                      [Financial summary for the fiscal years ended June 30, 1995 and 1994]                     
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          Unrestricted                Donor                                     
     Statements of activity     --------------------------------   Restricted    1995 Total All   1994 Total All
                                  General Fund   Permanent Fund       Funds           Funds           Funds     
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Support and revenue:                                                                                            
    Contributions and gifts....     $1,633,963   ..............      $4,452,651      $6,086,614      $5,926,776 
    Contributed goods and                                                                                       
     services..................         23,458   ..............         171,804         195,262  ...............
    Investment income..........        594,248   ..............         465,714       1,059,962         854,605 
    Publication sales..........        145,273   ..............          13,021         158,294         215,999 
    Management and other income         16,629   ..............  ..............          16,629         532,921 
    Realized and unrealized                                                                                     
     gains (losses) or                                                                                          
     investments...............        106,040       $1,396,977         874,285       2,377,302        (791,412)
                                --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total support and revenue      2,519,611        1,396,977       5,977,475       9,894,063       6,738,889 
                                ================================================================================
Expenses:                                                                                                       
  Program grants--                                                                                              
    Outreach and education                                                                                      
     projects..................        598,557   ..............         559,164       1,157,721       1,351,930 
    Interpretive projects......        156,375   ..............         571,566         727,941         733,765 
    Resource conservation                                                                                       
     projects..................        200,600   ..............         300,520         501,120  ...............
    Volunteer projects.........          5,000   ..............  ..............           5,000          82,540 
    NPS staff projects.........         53,117   ..............          86,479         139,596         109,839 
    Other projects.............  ..............  ..............          62,184          62,184          29,766 
                                --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total program grants.....      1,013,649   ..............       1,579,913       2,593,562       2,307,840 
                                ================================================================================
    Program support............        601,411   ..............         256,899         858,310         663,135 
    Cost of publications sold..         92,012   ..............  ..............          92,012         178,503 
    Yosemite management........  ..............  ..............  ..............  ..............           6,413 
                                --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total program expenses...      1,707,072   ..............       1,836,812       3,543,884       3,155,891 
                                ================================================================================
General and administrative.....        564,802   ..............  ..............         564,802         319,599 
Fundraising....................        151,503   ..............  ..............         151,503         136,857 
                                --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total expenses...........      2,423,377   ..............       1,836,812       4,260,189       3,612,347 
                                ================================================================================
Support and revenue in excess                                                                                   
 of expenses...................         96,234        1,396,977       4,140,663       5,633,874       3,126,542 
Fund Transfers.................       (138,189)         100,000          38,189  ..............  ...............
Net change in fund balances....        (41,955)       1,496,977       4,178,852       5,633,874       3,126,542 
Fund balances, beginning of                                                                                     
 year..........................      1,253,990       10,410,068       8,271,029      19,935,087      16,808,545 
Fund balances, end of year.....      1,212,035       11,907,045      12,449,881      25,568,961      19,935,087 
                                                                                                                
     BALANCE SHEET SUMMARY                                                                                      
                                                                                                                
Assets:                                                                                                         
  Cash and cash equivalents....        253,024   ..............         157,340         410,364         487,513 
  Marketable securities, at                                                                                     
   market......................        923,925       11,869,268      12,210,183      25,003,376      19,246,431 
  Total assets.................      2,697,729       11,907,045      12,483,118      27,087,892      20,741,868 
Liabilities....................      1,485,694   ..............          33,237       1,518,931         806,781 
Fund Balances..................      1,212,035       11,907,045      12,449,881      25,568,961      19,935,087 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: The information shown herein has been summarized by the National Park Foundation from its Fiscal Year 1995
  audited statements. To obtain a copy of the Foundation's complete audited financial statements, write to:     
  National Park Foundation, 1101 17th Street, NW, Suite 1102, Washington, DC 20036-4704.                        


                                                                NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION                                                                
                                      [Schedule of donor restricted funds for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1995]                                      
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             Contributions                                                                              
          Donor Restricted Funds             Balance June      and other    Fund Transfers    Investment    Net Investment   Expenditures   Balance June
                                               30, 1994         Income                          Income       Gain (Losses)                    30, 1995  
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Endowment Funds:                                                                                                                                        
    Albright Wirth Employee Development                                                                                                                 
     Fund.................................      $2,028,140         $10,000  ..............         $91,459        $260,979         $94,341   $2,296,237 
    Francis B. Crownshield................           3,634  ..............  ..............             185             434              80        4,173 
    Charles C. Glover.....................           8,934  ..............  ..............             456           1,065             197       10,258 
    Lyndon Baines Johnson Memorial Grove                                                                                                                
     Fund.................................       1,374,049  ..............  ..............          68,295         170,736          25,135    1,587,945 
    Kahlil Gibran-Memorial Endowment Fund.           3,987  ..............  ..............             229             535              99        4,652 
    Marguerite M. Root Parkland Purchase                                                                                                                
     Fund.................................          88,477  ..............  ..............           4,513          10,551           1,946      101,595 

[[Page S4193]]

                                                                                                                                                        
    Theodore Roosevelt Association,                                                                                                                     
     Principal............................         985,783  ..............       $(26,661)          47,261         122,110          19,478    1,109,015 
    Saint-Gaudens Memorial, Principal.....         193,533  ..............         (4,938)           9,312          24,019           4,215      217,711 
    Luis Sanjurjo Memorial Fund...........         271,155  ..............  ..............          13,429          32,401           5,922      311,063 
    Yosemite National Park Centennial                                                                                                                   
     Medal Fund...........................          33,149             740  ..............           1,889           4,418             812       39,384 
                                           -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total Endowment Funds...............       4,990,841          10,740        (31,599)         237,028         627,248         152,225    5,682,033 
                                           =============================================================================================================
Other Funds:                                                                                                                                            
    American Scenic and Historic                                                                                                                        
     Preservation Society Fund............         128,648  ..............  ..............           6,027          13,791          15,975      132,491 
    Art Acquisition.......................           1,191           3,617  ..............              13              56           5,297         (420)
    Boston Properties Fund................          49,597  ..............  ..............           2,574           6,019           1,110       57,080 
    C&O Canal Fund........................  ..............           2,522  ..............              83             319              26        2,898 
    Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Fund........              70  ..............  ..............  ..............  ..............  ..............           70 
    Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Tidal Lock..         385,110  ..............  ..............          17,777          39,088         108,108      333,867 
    Civil War Sites Fund..................         100,147           1,000  ..............           5,707          12,983           2,270      117,567 
    George Rogers Clark Park Film Project                                                                                                               
     Fund.................................  ..............           6,000  ..............  ..............  ..............           3,655        2,345 
    Edison National Historic Site                                                                                                                       
     Development Fund.....................  ..............             440  ..............              22              54               7          509 
    Ellis Island Fund.....................          22,457  ..............  ..............           1,145           2,678             494       25,786 
    EPA/NPS Urban Integrated Pest Mgt.                                                                                                                  
     Fund.................................  ..............           9,608  ..............             207             656              73       10,398 
    Everglades National Park Freshwater                                                                                                                 
     Wetlands Mitigation Trust Fund.......         283,487         844,742  ..............          28,130          25,223          11,014    1,170,568 
    French Memorial at Yorktown Fund......           7,324  ..............  ..............             422             989             249        8,486 
    German-American Friendship Garden Fund          47,264  ..............  ..............           2,454           5,738           1,058       54,398 
    Gettysburg Cemetery Annex Fund........          24,799  ..............  ..............           1,421           3,322             613       28,929 
    Gettysburg Monument Preservation Fund.          30,431  ..............  ..............           1,552           3,629             669       34,943 
    Gettysburg Museum of the Civil War....           2,326  ..............  ..............             118             277              51        2,670 
    Richard V. Giamberdine Memorial Fund..  ..............             905  ..............              12              57               2          972 
    General Grant National Monument Fund..             541  ..............  ..............              30              71              13          629 
    Historic American Building Survey Fund           3,639  ..............  ..............             160             374              69        4,104 
    Labor National Historic Landmark Theme                                                                                                              
     Study Fund...........................           4,351  ..............  ..............              62              78           2,808        1,683 
    Lowell National Historical Park Fund..           4,579  ..............  ..............             184             436           1,085        4,114 
    Maryland State Monument at Gettysburg                                                                                                               
     Fund.................................  ..............          10,000  ..............             404           1,272             119       11,557 
    Andrew Mellon Foundation..............          19,774  ..............  ..............           1,008           2,358             435       22,705 
    Minute Man National Historical Park                                                                                                                 
     Fund.................................  ..............          27,314  ..............           1,407           2,863           5,531       26,053 
    National Capital Region Handicapped                                                                                                                 
     Access Fund..........................         130,059  ..............  ..............           6,633          15,510           2,861      149,341 
    National Historic Landmark Fund.......           9,419  ..............  ..............             485           1,135             209       10,830 
    National Park Enhancement Fund........         237,217  ..............  ..............          12,007          28,072           6,911      270,385 
    NPF/Robert Glenn Ketchum Publication                                                                                                                
     Fund.................................           2,836  ..............  ..............              27              62              12        2,913 
    National Park Service Advisory Board                                                                                                                
     Fund.................................           3,558  ..............  ..............             181             424              78        4,085 
    National Park Service Video Fund......          25,800             694  ..............           1,328           3,120             793       30,149 
    National Register of Historic Places                                                                                                                
     Fund.................................  ..............           2,130  ..............              26             145               4        2,297 
    Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial                                                                                                                  
     Fund.................................         793,744       2,176,387  ..............         114,464          38,375         135,728    2,987,242 
    Theodore Roosevelt Association Income.          83,899  ..............         26,661            4,571           1,502           2,438      114,195 
    Saint-Gaudens Memorial, income........          54,499  ..............          4,938            2,800             732           2,112       60,857 
    Salt River Bay National Historical                                                                                                                  
     Park Museum Fund.....................           1,163  ..............  ..............              60             141              26        1,338 
    LJ and MC Skaggs Foundation...........           1,942  ..............  ..............              99             232              43        2,230 
    Theodore Smith Memorial Fund..........         191,645  ..............  ..............           9,717          22,721           4,191      219,892 
    Tourism and Park Conference Fund......          24,520  ..............  ..............           1,172           2,720           1,876       26,536 
    Wirth Lecture Fund....................          55,042  ..............  ..............           2,807           6,564           1,210       63,203 
    Yellowstone Recovery Fund.............          25,250         155,000  ..............           1,263           2,954         155,545       28,922 
    Zion National Park Visitor Fund.......           2,487  ..............  ..............             127             297              55        2,856 
    Other projects........................         521,373       1,386,377         38,189   ..............  ..............       1,209,764      736,175 
                                           -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total Other Funds...................       3,280,188       4,626,736         69,788          228,686         247,037       1,684,587    6,767,848 
                                           -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal............................       8,271,029       4,637,476         38,189          465,714         874,285       1,836,812   12,449,881 
                                           =============================================================================================================
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


  Mr. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, with the notable exception of the 
National Park Foundation, I am aware of no national conservation 
organizations whose actual cost of conducting business is less than 10 
percent of their entire operating program.
  In other words, Mr. President, donations made to the National Park 
Service through the Foundation are actually used to enhance the 
operation of programs conducted by the National Park Service. The 
Foundation is governed by a board of distinguished civic and business 
leaders committed to helping the national parks. By law, the Secretary 
of the Interior, Bruce Babbitt, serves as the chairman of the board, 
and the Director of the Park Service, Roger Kennedy, serves as the 
secretary of the board.
  The Foundation is a partnership between the public and private 
sectors. It provides direct support for park units through a 
competitive program that grants venture capital to seed creative 
efforts to conserve park resources.
  With the help of private partners, the National Park Foundation has 
made grants of over $10 million to support projects in our national 
parks in the last 5 years. I know of no other organization, Mr. 
President, which claims to support our National Park System that has a 
record that even comes close to this achievement.
  The National Park Foundation does not engage in activities normally 
associated with lobbying, and as a result it does not enjoy the 
notoriety or the vast fundraising programs that benefit other 
environmentally motivated organizations or environmental causes. 
Unfortunately, not many people even know about the existence of the 
National Park Foundation.
  Mr. President, administrative requests and congressional 
appropriations are simply not keeping pace with increased visitations 
and other demands placed on the National Park System. With the current 
demands on Congress to balance the budget and eliminate the Federal 
deficit, it would be more and more difficult for Congress to authorize 
sufficient funding for our national parks. As a result, there is a 
great need for additional support to protect, conserve and enhance our 
national parks.
  Mr. President, the National Park Foundation is well positioned to 
take on this important task.
  This bill contains amendments which will authorize the National Park 
Foundation to: First, engage in business relationships with appropriate 
private partners to raise revenue for the National Park System similar 
to the authority Congress has already granted the National Fish and 
Wildlife Foundation and the National Forest Foundation. Second, it 
would operate similarly to the U.S. Olympic Committee, where once a 
sponsor has been approved by the United States Olympic Committee, 
moneys are being generated from the private sector partners for the 
benefit of the Olympics.
  This bill, when enacted, will allow the Foundation to optimize and 
capture for our national parks the economic value of selective, 
appropriate sponsorships of national parks similar to, as I have said, 
the authority Congress has granted to the United States Olympic 
Committee.
  As commercial advertisers have long demonstrated, the national parks 
have great commercial value. Each year advertising, publishing, 
commercial broadcasts, moviemaking, merchandising and other commercial 
activity worth hundreds of millions of dollars is made on the 
intellectual property and other assets of the parks with virtually no 
return to the Park Service.
  A change is needed to enable the Park Service, through the National

[[Page S4194]]

Park Foundation, to capture some of that potential income through 
licensing and other marketing agreements.
  Mr. President, my bill provides safeguards which will negate any 
untoward, inappropriate commercialization of our parks; however, it 
will allow new revenue-generation opportunities outside the parks in 
partnership with private enterprise.
  It is private enterprise that will ultimately provide additional 
funding in the billions of dollars for resource management and 
infrastructure repair required for park facilities throughout our 
Nation.
  If we do not count the damage to the C&O canal, the current backlog 
in maintenance and facility repair for our parks is in excess of $4 
billion. It is going to take literally hundreds of millions of dollars 
to reestablish resource management and visitor service programs which 
have been deferred servicewide.
  According to the National Park Service, employee housing faces a 
backlog of $500 million. Mr. President, it is apparent that we cannot 
even afford to take care of the caretakers, much less properly address 
the needs of the National Park System.
  Enactment of this legislation will provide an economically cost-
efficient and accountable program by which the Foundation can begin the 
long quest to address the needs of our National Park System with the 
assistance of private sector resources.
  Mr. President, the concept is exciting. The results will surely 
contribute to the future financial stability of our Park System as well 
as the protection of those national treasures we described as our 
national parks.
  I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation. Together 
we can make it possible for the National Park Foundation to play the 
role originally intended by Congress back in 1967, making a significant 
contribution to preserving America's national parks through private 
partnerships between Government, private business, and individuals.
                                 ______