Students Call on Hayworth, McCain, Kyl to Fund National Parks; Nat'l Call-In-Day Encourages Congress to Give Parks Needed Funding

9/30/2002

From: Andrea Keller, 202-454-3332 Udi Lazimy, 928-779-6078 both of Americans for National Parks

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz., Sept. 30 -- Hundreds of local students today called Rep. J.D. Hayworth (R-Ariz.), and Sens. John McCain (R-Ariz.), and Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.), asking them to fund the needs of the national parks as part of a national call-in-day organized by the coalition of Americans for National Parks.

"Northern Arizona has more national park sites than any other Congressional district in the country," said Nate Petrie, a Northern Arizona University student, after a call to Hayworth. "But without proper funding, these important places -- and our national heritage -- is threatened."

Research has shown that the national parks are operating with only two-thirds of the funding needed, creating a wide variety of critical needs ranging from deteriorating infrastructure to the dwindling of wildlife species.

"Even Grand Canyon National Park -- one of America's foremost national and international tourist destinations -- has critical operating needs," said Americans for National Parks Campaign Director, Jennifer S. Coken. "We have to save these precious places -- there's just too much to lose."

The coalition of Americans for National Parks includes more than 250 private businesses, trade associations, and nonprofit organizations from Arizona and across the country. The group is working with Congress and the administration to address the parks' $600-million annual operating shortfall.

"The national parks are America's crown jewels," said Udi Lazimy, an Americans for National Parks organizer in Arizona, "and should be preserved. It is an American right to enjoy the national park experience. I want my grandchildren to enjoy that right."