[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 155 (Friday, November 7, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2210]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   LEGISLATION TO HELP PRESERVE AND ENHANCE OUR NATIONAL PARK SYSTEM

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                          HON. DALE E. KILDEE

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, November 6, 1997

  Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, our Nation's parks are among our Nation's 
greatest treasures and an integral part of our national heritage. We 
have an obligation to protect them for future generations to enjoy, 
learn from, and experience.
  Unfortunately, in recent years we have failed to take proper care of 
our parks. The cover of the U.S. News & World Report's July 21, 1997 
edition was entitled ``Parks in Peril'', this magazine focused on 
overcrowded parks, crumbling historic structures, limited access to 
collections and increased pollution. Over the past 20 years, annual 
funding for our national parks has decreased by $635 million. And yet 
during that same period, our national parks served approximately 40 
million more annual visitors than they did in 1978. While it is 
incumbent upon Congress to appropriate adequate funds for the operation 
of our national parks, the backlog of natural and cultural resource 
protection needs, together with other needs for transportation 
improvements and building repairs, is now so great that we need to find 
innovative and aggressive funding sources for renewing and enhancing 
our national parks
  That is why I have introduced legislation to create National Park 
Bonds. These Bonds will be sold to the general public, in the same way 
War Bonds were sold during World War II. My legislation will set up a 
National Park Capital Improvement Fund within the Department of 
Treasury. The Capital Improvement Fund will be secured by existing 
national park entrance, special use, and concession fees. My 
legislation also requires the Department of Treasury to work with the 
Department of Interior to set up a program for disseminating the bonds. 
The National Park Bonds will have competitive interest rates, reach 
maturity in no longer than 20 years, and be fully guaranteed by the 
Federal Government.
  The National Park Bonds will be focused towards the billions of 
dollars in backlogged construction and renovation needs in our parks 
including: new infrastructure, wildlife protection and preservation, 
development of transportation systems, scientific assessments and 
research, and the development of educational and interpretation 
programs. The bonds would not go to any new land acquisition projects.
  Mr. Speaker, National Park Bonds would give all of our Nation's 
citizens the opportunity to invest in the preservation and enhancement 
of our National Park System.

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