[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 113 (Wednesday, August 4, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Pages S10229-S10230]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. GORTON:
  S. 1486. A bill to establish a Take Pride in America Program; to the 
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.


        take pride in america volunteer recognition act of 1999

  Mr. GORTON. Mr. President, I am delighted to introduce the Take Pride 
in America Volunteer Recognition Act of 1999, legislation which will 
revitalize and expand an important program created in the 1980's to 
enhance the legacy of the Great Outdoors.
  Each American is part owner of an incredible asset--millions and 
millions of acres of national parks, national forests, national 
wildlife refuges and other public lands. These wonderful places are 
part of the legacy each of us shares, whether we live in my state of 
Washington or on the other side of the nation. We visit these places 
often and for a variety of reasons. Together, federal lands attract 
nearly two billion visits annually. Americas' Great Outdoors is a place 
for active fun--for skiing and fishing, camping and

[[Page S10230]]

whitewatersports--as well as for quite time away from our cities, jobs 
and commutes.
  Years ago, an important initiative was launched to encourage 
Americans to enjoy this legacy, and take responsibility for protecting 
it for future generations. The program was called Take Pride in America 
and had three components. The first portion was a public awareness 
campaign, designed to emphasize the importance of caring for federal 
lands and water. The second portion was an environmental education 
program for school children and for visitors to public lands. The third 
portion was a volunteer recruitment and recognition effort.
  The Take Pride in America program received the support of a great 
number of well-known Americans. Public Service Announcements and 
appearances were contributed by Clint Eastwood and Linda Evans, Lou 
Gossett and Charles Bronson, Gerald McRainey and even ALF. The Oak 
Ridge Boys wrote and recorded to Take Pride in America theme song, and 
donated all royalties to the program. Forty-seven governors initiated 
Take Pride programs within their states, recognizing outstanding 
volunteers ranging from young children to seniors. Volunteers from 
across the nation came to Washington for an annual national recognition 
event at the White House and similar prominent locations. The Ad 
Council obtained professional support for the program and donated 
placements for PSA's--in fact, some of the elements of this campaign 
continue to run.
  The results were good. Volunteerism for America's Great Outdoors 
surged and vandalism decline. Agencies such as the National Park 
Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the Forest Service and the 
Corps of Engineers were given a new tool to recruit and recognize 
Americans who invested their time and energy into enhancing our shared 
wealth of parks and forests.
  Other priorities have put the Take Pride in America Program on hold 
in recent years. It is time to take this tool out and put it to good 
use once again.
  Our public lands have maintenance and enhancement needs that exceed 
our ability to fund through general appropriations. We are now 
experimenting with new recreation fees and other mechanisms to attack a 
deferred maintenance backlog amounting to more than one billion 
dollars.
  My legislation would restore and expand the program created by 
Congress in 1990, recommitting us to all three parts of the original 
program. It would also strengthen the program to reflect a special 
opportunity associated with the National Fee Demonstration Program 
created in 1996, which provides nearly $200 million annually in 
additional resources to four key federal land systems. The legislation 
would strengthen our volunteer programs in several ways, including the 
establishment of a special pass to recognize volunteers who serve 50 
hours or more on federal public lands.
  In my state, the Forest Service has done a tremendous job of 
organizing and utilizing the skills and enthusiasm of volunteers 
committed to improving our forests. The volunteer programs in the 
Northwest vary from forest to forest. Typically, groups like the 
Student Conservation Association, Mountaineers, Mazamas, and 
Backcountry Horsemen of Washington contract with the National Forest 
Service to complete specific projects designed to improve the health of 
the forests and enhance recreational opportunities. Individuals within 
these associations can earn passes for free access at national forest 
trailheads in the Pacific Northwest. I think this program is 
outstanding, and I want the Forest Service to continue accommodating 
and encouraging the efforts of volunteers. This bill is designed to 
encore these types of volunteer programs in other regions of the 
National Forest Service, the National Park Service, the Bureau of Land 
Management, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. In addition, I want 
to recognize the special efforts of volunteers who contribute over 50 
hours of work on federal lands. The legislation directs the Department 
of Interior and Department of Agriculture to recognize these 
individuals with a pass to recreation areas throughout the federal 
system.
  I look forward to exploring appropriate means for recognition of 
volunteers as this legislation is considered in the hearing process. We 
need to consider carefully the relationship between the special Take 
Pride in America Pass and other passes, including the Golden Eagle and 
Golden Age passes.
  This legislation also will serve as a catalyst for expanding the 
scope of volunteer programs on federal lands. Too often in the past, 
our expectations for volunteer projects have focused on projects 
requiring shovels or paint brushes and requiring high levels of 
physical exertion. The truth is that important volunteer projects that 
can protect and enhance America's Great Outdoors are far more diverse. 
We need skills senior Americans have developed during a lifetime of 
living and learning, from research in libraries to teaching. We need 
those with special talents and gifts, from architects to web page 
designers, from attorneys--yes, even attorneys--to masons. We need to 
have meaningful projects for those with just a few hours to contribute 
as well as for those who are prepared to make an ongoing commitment of 
their time. Some of the projects can even be undertaken off-site. We 
need a good directory of needed volunteer undertakings that is widely 
available long before a volunteer shows up at a forest or park 
headquarters.
  To the hundreds of thousands of Americans who already spend time 
protecting and enhancing America's public lands--covering nearly one in 
three acres of the nation--I give my thanks and ask for help in 
devising a system that recognizes the wonderful contribution you make 
and inspires millions of others to join in your important work. I also 
ask for the support of the Department of Interior and the Department of 
Agriculture for this legislation and its goal of taking better care of 
America's Great Outdoors.
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