Mike Thompson: “As we debate the Interior Appropriations bill, I would like to take this opportunity to focus attention on…”

“As we debate the Interior Appropriations bill, I would like to take this opportunity to focus attention on underinvestment in our national parks, an issue of particular importance to me and the millions of Americans who visit our national parks each year. Earlier this year I joined 27 of my colleagues in writing to Chairman Byrd and Senator Burns to request a $280 million increase above the fiscal year 2002 level for the National Park Service's operating budget. While the bill before us does not reach that goal, it is a step in the right direction and provides almost $98 million more than last year's funding level. I thank Chairman Byrd and Senator Burns for their leadership, and especially for their commitment to continue working to increase operational funding for the National Park Service and to eliminate the deferred maintenance backlog by 2007. Our national parks are a precious resource that we have a responsibility to protect. I have seen first hand the important role that our national parks play in conserving our natural resources and shaping our national heritage, and I have also witnessed the problems associated with a lack of resources for our parks.”