[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 42 (Wednesday, March 17, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E470]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      NATIONAL PARKS CHECK-OFF ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. JOHN J. DUNCAN, JR.

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 17, 1999

  Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, today, I introduced the National Parks 
Check-off Act because of my concern about the condition of our national 
parks.
  This same legislation was reported out of the Resources Committee 
during the 105th Congress with bipartisan support having 80 cosponsors.
  The National Parks Check-off Act will amend the Internal Revenue Code 
and 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 and there will be no cost to the federal government.
  A study released by the National Parks and Conservation Association 
found that 8 out of 10 people surveyed would be willing to increase 
their tax contribution by $1 to benefit the National Park System.
  During a House Resources Committee hearing during the 105th Congress 
Allan Howe, from the National Park Hospitality Association, testified 
that:

       Over the last three years the Presidential Check-Off has 
     raised over $200 million. While there is considerable 
     interest in presidential elections every four years, there is 
     a continued and sustained interest in our National Parks, 
     which should yield even more support.

  I agree, and I believe if this bill is passed millions of dollars 
could be raised to address the $4-$6 billion backlog that our parks 
current face.
  During the 105th Congress, this legislation was supported by 
organizations such as the National Park and Conservation Association, 
America Outdoors, the American Hiking Society, the Friends of the Great 
Smoky Mountains, the National Tour Association and many others.
  I hope my colleagues will join me by cosponsoring this most important 
legislation which will help preserve our national treasures for future 
generations.

                          ____________________