Statements on Introduced Bills and Joint Resolutions

STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS

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By Mr. MCCAIN (for himself, Mr. ALEXANDER, Mr. LIEBERMAN, Mr. SALAZAR, and Mrs. FEINSTEIN):

S. 886. A bill to eliminate the annual operating deficit and maintenance backlog in the national parks, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Finance.

Mr. MCCAIN. Mr. President, I am pleased to be joined today by Senators ALEXANDER, LIEBERMAN, SALAZAR, and FEINSTEIN in introducing legislation to restore and maintain our National Parks by the centennial anniversary of the National Park System in 2016.

Heralding the establishment of the first National Parks, President Theodore Roosevelt stated, ``We have fallen heirs to the most glorious heritage a people ever received, and each one must do his part if we wish to show that the nation is worthy of its good fortune.''

And what a priceless fortune Americans enjoy--Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, the Tetons, Mt. Rushmore, the Everglades, and hundreds of other extraordinary national parks that grace our country. Hundreds of millions of families and visitors from all over the world have visited these parks for recreational, educational, and cultural opportunities as well as the sheer pleasure of being surrounded by their natural beauty or historical significance.

Unfortunately, all of this public enjoyment and use coupled with the lack of adequate financial investment in our parks has left them in a state of disrepair and neglect. A multi-billion dollar maintenance backlog has cast a long shadow over the glory of our national park heritage. An annual operating deficit estimated at $600 million has further diminished the integrity of national park programs and facilities.

The National Parks Centennial Act would allow all Americans to contribute to the restoration of the parks through the creation of a Centennial Fund with monies generated by a check-off box on federal tax returns. The funds collected will be directed to the priority maintenance and operation needs of the national parks to make them fiscally sound by 2016. What better way or time to demonstrate that ``we are worthy of the good fortune of our parks''?

I commend the National Parks Conservation Association for promoting this sound and innovative approach to remedying the significant deterioration of our parks. A companion House bill has been introduced by Representatives SOUDER and BAIRD with solid bipartisan support.

Surely this is legislation that we can all agree on and support. All of our lives have been enriched by our National Parks. This bill provides an opportunity to show our appreciation to restore and maintain our country's cultural and natural heritage for generations to come. The passage of this legislation will ensure that our national parks will have a glorious 100th birthday to celebrate. Let's get on with it!

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