[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 73 (Wednesday, May 19, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1019]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       INTRODUCTION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE HOUSE RESOLUTION

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                          HON. JAMES V. HANSEN

                                of utah

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 19, 1999

  Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, I am happy to introduce this House 
resolution which will effectively help our National Park System and all 
those who visit and enjoy these parks. Over the past few years the 
National Park Service has repeatedly reported a backlog of projects 
necessary to maintain structures, roads, and infrastructure in many of 
our national parks. In fact, the National Park Service has asserted 
that the cost of these projects will be about 6 billion dollars. This 
resolution would urge the National Park Service to take advantage of 
support services offered by the Department of Defense, which has the 
authority to provide support and services to Federal entities, 
including the National Park Service.
  A program called the Civil-Military Department of Defense Innovative 
Readiness Training Program offers real world training opportunities to 
meet the readiness requirements of military units and individuals while 
benefiting local communities. This service, provided by the Department 
of Defense, includes equipment and other assistance which has the 
potential to greatly reduce the backlog of projects identified by the 
National Park Service. In short, this resolution will direct one 
federal department to help another and will benefit the American 
taxpayer who has been picking up the tab.
  This is a good idea and a worthy resolution and I urge all my 
colleagues to support this House resolution.

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