Bob Bennett: “I must, however, disagree with her comments about history. In the early days of the national parks, no national park was…”

“I must, however, disagree with her comments about history. In the early days of the national parks, no national park was created until all inholdings had been acquired. The legislation was not brought to the floor of the Congress until such action had been taken. I am told a historic example of that, among others--she referred to the east coast--is the Everglades National Park was created after 100 percent of the inholdings had been acquired. That was the pattern in national parks historically through the 1920's and 1930's when the park system was growing. We changed the pattern as a Nation. In the 1950's and 1960's, the pattern was the national parks would be authorized and then in the authorizing language it would say, ``contingent upon acquiring all of the inholdings.'' So that the parks were authorized in advance of the acquisition, but it did not become effective until 100 percent of the inholdings had been acquired. If we are going to take the historical argument, Madam President, my amendment is in the historical pattern and it is the pattern we have followed in the last 15 or 20 years that violates this. My amendment goes back to the historical precedent that was set when the National Park Service was created.”