[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 118 (Monday, July 18, 2022)]
[House]
[Pages H6698-H6699]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2022
Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 7693) to amend title 54, United States Code, to reauthorize
the National Park Foundation.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 7693
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``National Park Foundation
Reauthorization Act of 2022''.
[[Page H6699]]
SEC. 2. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE NATIONAL PARK
FOUNDATION.
Section 101122(a) of title 54, United States Code, is
amended--
(1) by striking ``$5,000,000'' and inserting
``$15,000,000''; and
(2) by striking ``2023'' and inserting ``2030''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
California (Mr. Huffman) and the gentlewoman from New Mexico (Ms.
Herrell) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.
General Leave
Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks
and include extraneous material on the measure under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from California?
There was no objection.
Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 7693, the National Park
Foundation Reauthorization Act of 2022.
This bill will ensure that the congressionally charted philanthropic
partner of the National Park Service can continue supporting our parks
for years to come.
Specifically, this bill will reauthorize Federal funding for the
National Park Foundation through 2030 and increase the overall annual
authorization level from $5 million to $15 million.
This is a smart and commonsense investment in the future of our
national parks. Every Federal dollar requires a minimum 1-to-1 match
with private dollars, creating a multiplying effect that reaches units
throughout the entire system.
After more than 100 incredible years, our national parks are more
popular than ever. This means they need our support to ensure that the
National Park Service can address challenges that include aging
infrastructure, overcrowding, and inconsistent funding from Congress.
The National Park Foundation is a key partner and ally. Innovative
partnerships that leverage Federal investments and private donations
help our parks thrive. I am proud to support this bill today so that
the foundation can keep serving this important role.
Later this week, we will consider the Interior Appropriations
legislation, which includes vital funding for the National Park
Service.
I thank my colleagues on the Appropriations Committee for developing
a bill that includes a robust investment in our national parks, and I
hope that Congress can keep making sound investments that ensure the
National Park Service continues to thrive throughout its second century
and beyond.
I thank our colleague, Ranking Member Westerman, for introducing this
important legislation. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote
``yes,'' and reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. HERRELL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 7693, the National Park
Foundation Reauthorization Act of 2022. This bipartisan bill has the
support of 51 cosponsors. This bill will leverage private investment
and innovative public-private partnerships to reduce the $21.8 billion
deferred maintenance backlog at our national parks, and address
pressing issues like park overcrowding.
Very importantly, the foundation is required to provide a dollar-for-
dollar match with private funds for their Federal appropriations, and
Federal funds cannot be used by the National Park Foundation for
overhead, administrative expenses, or land acquisition.
In 2016, Congress passed the National Park Service Centennial Act,
which authorized the National Park Foundation, the official charitable
partner of the National Park Service, to receive up to $5 million in
discretionary appropriations annually through fiscal year 2023.
The foundation utilizes its Federal appropriations to work with local
partners and leverage private investment to achieve the greatest impact
possible.
The foundation works together with the National Park Service to
identify projects, including rehabilitating trails, visitor centers and
other facilities, expanding youth access, and conserving park habitat.
{time} 1515
To date, the Foundation has routinely exceeded the minimum 1-to-1
required match and has more than $20 million worth of projects awaiting
funding in the pipeline.
Since first receiving an appropriation in fiscal year 2018, the
Foundation has funded more than 100 projects in 32 States and two
territories. By the end of next year, the Foundation plans to have
funded projects in all 50 States and multiple territories.
This bill builds on the National Park Foundation's success by
creating additional opportunities to encourage even more private
funding for the parks.
Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of H.R. 7693, and I yield back the
balance of my time.
Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I urge a ``yes'' vote, and I yield back the
balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from California (Mr. Huffman) that the House suspend the
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 7693.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. NORMAN. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to section 3(s) of House Resolution
8, the yeas and nays are ordered.
Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further proceedings on this question
are postponed.
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