[Pages H8064-H8065]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

HEALING OPPORTUNITIES IN PARKS AND THE ENVIRONMENT PASS ACT

Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 2976) to provide for the issuance of a special entrance pass
for free admission to any federally owned area which is operated and
maintained by a Federal agency and used for outdoor recreation purposes
to the survivors, victims' immediate families, and police, fire,
rescue, recovery, and medical personnel directly affected by the
September 11, 2001, terrorist hijackings and the attacks on the World
Trade Center and the Pentagon, and for other purposes.
The Clerk read as follows:

H.R. 2976

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Healing Opportunities in
Parks and the Environment Pass Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.

(a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
(1) The trauma associated with the terrorist hijackings and
attacks of September 11, 2001, has been significant for the
survivors, victims' immediate families, and police, fire,
rescue, recovery, and medical personnel directly involved in
this national tragedy.
(2) America's system of national parks, forests, and public
lands provides significant opportunities to renew, refresh,
and strengthen the physical, mental, and spiritual well-being
of those who use them.
(b) Purpose.--It is the purpose of this Act to help those
directly impacted by the tragic events of September 11, 2001,
by enhancing opportunities for the use of America's national
parks, forests, and public lands as a means of aiding in
their recovery from the trauma associated with these tragic
events.

SEC. 3. HOPE PASS.

(a) Issuance.--The Secretary of the Interior shall make
available at no cost to qualified individuals a special
entrance pass which shall be known as the ``Hope Pass'' and
shall provide for free admission into any federally owned
area which is operated and maintained by a Federal agency and
used for outdoor recreation purposes.
(b) Qualified Individuals.--A qualified individual shall
be--
(1) an individual who was present at the World Trade
Center, the Pentagon, or the site of the aircraft crash at
Shanksville, Pennsylvania, at the time, or in the immediate
aftermath of the terrorist-related aircraft crashes of
September 11, 2001;
(2) an individual who had an immediate family member killed
as a direct result of the terrorist-related aircraft crashes
of September 11, 2001; or
(3) any police, fire, rescue, recovery, or medical
personnel who directly responded to the terrorist-related
aircraft crashes of September 11, 2001.
(c) Conditions.--Each Hope Pass shall--
(1) be issued upon acceptance by the Secretary of the
Interior of an application from a qualified applicant which
shall include a signed statement attesting to the applicant's
eligibility for the pass;
(2) be valid for the life of the qualified pass holder; and
(3) provide free admission to qualified pass holders and
their immediate family when accompanied by the qualified pass
holder.
(d) Noneligibility.--No individual identified by the
Attorney General of the United States to have been a
participant or conspirator in the terrorist-related aircraft
crashes of September 11, 2001, or their family shall be
eligible to receive a Hope Pass.

{time} 1715

The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Culberson). Pursuant to the rule, the
gentleman from California (Mr. Radanovich) and the gentleman from West
Virginia (Mr. Rahall) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California (Mr. Radanovich).
Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2976, the Healing Opportunities in our Parks and
Environment Act, was introduced by the gentleman from West Virginia
(Mr. Rahall).
September 11 is a day not one of us will ever forget. The events of
that day are seared deep into our memories. Each one of us will recall
where we were, what we were doing, and how the events of the day
impacted us personally.
Some, of course, were impacted more directly. Many lost family
members, were injured, or narrowly escaped harm; or because in the
course of carrying out their duties as medical or rescue workers, were
called upon to aid survivors and victims. As a Nation, we deeply
appreciate the great sacrifices made as a consequence of the events of
September 11.
Following these tragic and emotional events, many have sought refuge
in the natural beauty of America's natural parks and public lands.
These lands have the ability to serve, at least in part, as a healing
opportunity to those who were most affected by these terrible events.
H.R. 2976 would create a new HOPE pass to authorize entry into our
federally owned parks and public land for victims, families, survivors,
and medical and rescue personnel and their immediate families when
accompanied by a holder. Some think this new pass can serve in some
small measure as an attempt to help heal the wounds of this tragic
event. I urge an ``aye'' vote on the bill.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to commend the gentleman from California
(Mr. Radanovich) and thank him for his help on this legislation. He is
the chairman of the subcommittee. I would like to thank the chairman of
the full committee, the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Hansen), for his
support, as well.
Over the last 2 months, Members of Congress have stepped outside
party boundaries, joining together and unanimously supporting millions
of dollars in aid to victims, families, and rescue workers affected by
the September 11 attacks.
However, in addition to financial assistance, I believe it is
important for us to provide other forms of relief for these victims and
their families during the grieving and recovery process.
In times of crisis, many of us find solace in our religion. In
addition, we can find solace in that great cathedral of nature. That is
the premise of this bill, the Healing Opportunities in the Parks and
Our Environment, or HOPE, Act.
Simply put, this legislation would direct the Secretary of the
Interior to create a program under which the survivors and families of
the victims of

[[Page H8065]]

the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, as well as the
emergency personnel who responded to that crisis, may visit our
national parks, forests, and public lands free of charge.
This program is modeled after what is known as the Golden Eagle Pass,
with the exception that it would be valid for a lifetime.
Ralph Waldo Emerson said, ``Nature is a symbol of the spirit,'' and
``Nature turns all malfeasance to good.'' There may come a time when a
fireman, a nurse, or a survivor who has seen far too much pain and
suffering may decide that a day at the lake with his or her family
would provide welcome relief.
Let us continue to aid these victims and family members as we already
have financially. Let us provide them Emerson's symbol of spirit to aid
in their healing. In this way, we can strive to keep hope alive in the
wake of the tragic events of September 11, and indeed, of only
yesterday, when an airliner once again went down in New York City, as
we recover and we rebuild.
Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of the legislation, and I yield back the
balance of my time.
Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from California (Mr. Radanovich) that the House suspend the
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 2976.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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