John Hansen: “Mr. Speaker, it has taken a long time, in fact years, to craft a bill that addresses needed changes within the National…”

“Mr. Speaker, it has taken a long time, in fact years, to craft a bill that addresses needed changes within the National Park Service including concession reform and a bill which has general agreement by the majority, minority and the administration. But I think we reach that point where this bill, S. 1693, as amended, just does that. Credit is due to many people, but I especially want to mention three gentlemen in particular who are personally involved in the bill: Senator Dale Bumpers, Secretary of Interior Bruce Babbitt, and of course Senator Craig Thomas of Wyoming, the sponsor of the bill. These gentlemen, and many, many others have worked very hard in the spirit of cooperation and compromise to develop this bill. I believe we have in the amended S. 1693 a bill that addresses a variety of important concerns and issues raised by everyone from small outfitters and guides to the National Park Service. We have made good and necessary changes to the bill and come to many agreements on language and content alike.”