Office of the Secretary

For Immediate Release: May 21, 1999

Contact: Michael Gauldin 202/208-6416

Statement

Statement by Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt Regarding Action by the
House of Representatives to Give Congress Veto Power Over U.N. Designations

"They've got things backwards. President Nixon signed the World Heritage Legislation as a way of exporting one of America's best ideas, our national parks, to recognize special places all over the world. It's like a five star rating that brings millions in tourist dollars annually to our country.

"It's comical for these guys to say this idea, our idea, is actually a plot by foreigners and space aliens, and we're going to stop it.

"I am sure we can expect the Senate again to ignore it, which is all it deserves."

- DOI -