Jon L. Christensen: “H.R. 3421, sponsored by my distinguished colleague and chairman, the gentleman from California (Mr. Radanovich)…”

“H.R. 3421, sponsored by my distinguished colleague and chairman, the gentleman from California (Mr. Radanovich), authorizes the National Park Service to provide funds and services to supplement the educational services and facilities provided to the children of Yosemite National Park employees and the park concessionaire at three small local schools located within the park. The legislation provides a very unique arrangement for funding local schools. As such, a number of issues and problems with the bill as you have heard were raised during a December 2001 hearing on this bill. In fact, while the National Park Service expressed sympathy with the purpose of the bill, they, on behalf of the administration, initially opposed the measure. I appreciate the willingness of the gentleman from California (Mr. Radanovich) to make a number of changes requested by the minority, including deleting the use of entrance and user fees to pay for the program, limiting funds to operations and services, and eliminating the authority of the Secretary to assume operation of the schools.”