Images (5)
- Parte de Records of the Office of the Chief of Staff (Clinton Administration), Harold Ickes, Jr.'s Files
Extracted text
OCR Page 1 of 511/16/95 13:39
002/003
THE
OF
STATE
SEAL
Motrein Have
CREAT 1912 ARRONA
for your
STATE OF ARIZONA
EXECUTIVE OFFICE
response & Laselirs
FIFE SYMINGTON
Governor
Tha
November 16, 1995
The Honorable William Clinton
President of the United States
White House
Washington, D. C. 20500-0303
Dear President Clinton:
I am very concerned about the impact of yesterday afternoon's decision to
close Grand Canyon National Park. As you know, visitors come to Arizona from
throughout the country and the world to enjoy the crown jewel of our National
Park System. Tourism has become a vital part of our national economy, and this
unnecessary closure represents a significant economic threat to my state.
I propose that the federal government permit the state of Arizona to provide
the resources necessary to keep Grand Canyon National Park open until the current
budget impasse is resolved and normal operations can resume. Under my
proposal, the National Park Service employees would come under state
employment to perform those functions carried out during the first two days of the
government shutdown. In addition, the state would pay federal employees to
collect admissions fees at the Park. I would propose that Arizona keep half of these
revenues in order to offset some of our costs. The federal government would
retain the other half. As a result, Washington would receive some revenue
without incurring any costs. I am also prepared to make additional state personnel
available in an effort to restore some of the services that park guests have come to
expect.
1700 WEST WASHINGTON. PHOENIX, ARIZONA 85007 (602) 542-4331