[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 16]
[House]
[Page 23960]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



 REVIEW OF COSTS OF HIGH ALTITUDE RECOVERIES IN DENALI NATIONAL PARK, 
                                 ALASKA

  Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
Senate bill (S. 698) to review the suitability and feasibility of 
recovering costs of high altitude rescues at Denali National Park and 
Preserve in the State of Alaska, and for other purposes.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                                 S. 698

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled, That no 
     later than nine months after the enactment of this Act, the 
     Secretary of the Interior (hereinafter referred to as the 
     ``Secretary'') shall complete a report on the suitability and 
     feasibility of recovering the costs of high altitude rescues 
     on Mt. McKinley, within Denali National Park and Preserve. 
     The Secretary shall also report on the suitability and 
     feasibility of requiring climbers to provide proof of medical 
     insurance prior to the issuance of a climbing permit by the 
     National Park Service. The report shall also review the 
     amount of fees charged for a climbing permit and make such 
     recommendations for changing the fee structure as the 
     Secretary deems appropriate. Upon completion, the report 
     shall be submitted to the Committee on Energy and Natural 
     Resources of the Senate, and the Committee on Resources of 
     the House of Representatives.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Utah (Mr. Hansen) and the gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands (Mrs. 
Christensen) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Hansen).
  Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, S. 698 requires the Secretary of Interior to examine the 
suitability and feasibility of recovering the costs of high altitude 
rescues within the Denali National Park and requiring proof of medical 
insurance for climbing permits.
  Every year over a thousand climbers attempt Mt. McKinley in Denali 
National Park. Climbing the continent's highest peak is extremely 
dangerous and has involved deaths and daring search and rescue 
missions.
  As a result, Denali accounts for nearly a third of the total costs of 
rescue activities in the entire park system. In 1998, over $220,000 was 
spent on one dangerous rescue mission involving six climbers who 
ignored the Park Service's advice against climbing that mountain.
  Given the exceptional costs and risks, many taxpayers believe there 
should be a way to reimburse the Park Service for rescues.
  Basically, the report required under S. 698 will look at a type of 
insurance policy for the taxpayer against the risk incurred in an 
inherently dangerous activity. Under S. 698, no permitting requirements 
will be imposed unless a future Congress decides, based on the findings 
of the Secretary, that it is appropriate.
  This is not a controversial bill, and I urge its passage.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 698, a bill to direct the 
Secretary of the Interior to do a study related to high altitude 
rescues of climbers on Mt. McKinley within the Denali National Park in 
Alaska.
  This Senate bill has not had a hearing nor a markup in the Committee 
on Resources. But since it only requires a report on the subject 
matter, I am not aware of any major controversy or opposition to the 
bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Utah (Mr. Hansen) that the House suspend the rules and 
pass the Senate bill, S. 698.
  The question was taken; and the Speaker pro tempore announced that 
the ayes appeared to have it.
  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground 
that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum 
is not present.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8, rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.
  The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.

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