S6548 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE September 20, 2012 

(Mr. LEVIN) and the Senator from 

Michigan (Ms. STABENOW) were added 

as cosponsors of S. 3494, a bill to amend 

the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to 

qualify formerly homeless individuals 

who are full-time students for purposes 

of low income housing tax credit. 

S. 3522

At the request of Mr. MENENDEZ, the 

name of the Senator from New Hampshire (Mrs. SHAHEEN) was added as a cosponsor of S. 3522, a bill to provide for 

the expansion of affordable refinancing 

of mortgages held by the Federal National Mortgage Association and the 

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation. 

S. 3525

At the request of Mr. TESTER, the 

name of the Senator from Minnesota 

(Ms. KLOBUCHAR) was added as a cosponsor of S. 3525, a bill to protect and 

enhance opportunities for recreational 

hunting, fishing, and shooting, and for 

other purposes. 

S. 3546

At the request of Mr. JOHNSON of 

South Dakota, the name of the Senator 

from North Dakota (Mr. CONRAD) was 

added as a cosponsor of S. 3546, a bill to 

amend the Native American Programs 

Act of 1974 to reauthorize a provision 

to ensure the survival and continuing 

vitality of Native American languages. 

S. 3551

At the request of Mr. DEMINT, the 

name of the Senator from Arkansas 

(Mr. BOOZMAN) was added as a cosponsor of S. 3551, a bill to require investigations into and a report on the September 11–13, 2012, attacks on the 

United States missions in Libya, 

Egypt, and Yemen, and for other purposes. 

S. 3560

At the request of Mr. WHITEHOUSE, 

the names of the Senator from California (Mrs. FEINSTEIN), the Senator 

from Nebraska (Mr. NELSON), the Senator from Connecticut (Mr. LIEBERMAN) 

and the Senator from Illinois (Mr. 

KIRK) were added as cosponsors of S. 

3560, a bill to provide for scientific 

frameworks with respect to recalcitrant cancers. 

S. 3565

At the request of Mr. CASEY, the 

name of the Senator from New York 

(Mrs. GILLIBRAND) was added as a cosponsor of S. 3565, a bill to eliminate 

discrimination and promote women’s 

health and economic security by ensuring reasonable workplace accommodations for workers whose ability to perform the functions of a job are limited 

by pregnancy, childbirth, or a related 

medical condition. 

S. 3567

At the request of Ms. COLLINS, the 

names of the Senator from New Hampshire (Ms. AYOTTE) and the Senator 

from California (Mrs. FEINSTEIN) were 

added as cosponsors of S. 3567, a bill to 

establish the Commission to Study the 

Potential Creation of a National Women’s History Museum, and for other 

purposes. 

S.J. RES. 41

At the request of Mrs. BOXER, her 

name was added as a cosponsor of S.J. 

Res. 41, a joint resolution expressing 

the sense of Congress regarding the nuclear program of the Government of 

the Islamic Republic of Iran. 

S. CON. RES. 50

At the request of Mr. RUBIO, the 

name of the Senator from Wyoming 

(Mr. ENZI) was added as a cosponsor of 

S. Con. Res. 50, a concurrent resolution 

expressing the sense of Congress regarding actions to preserve and advance the multistakeholder governance 

model under which the Internet has 

thrived. 

S. RES. 453

At the request of Mr. HARKIN, the 

names of the Senator from Washington 

(Mrs. MURRAY), the Senator from 

Vermont (Mr. SANDERS) and the Senator from Maryland (Ms. MIKULSKI) 

were added as cosponsors of S. Res. 453, 

a resolution expressing the sense of the 

Senate that supporting seniors and individuals with disabilities is an important responsibility of the United 

States, and that a comprehensive approach to expanding and supporting a 

strong home care workforce and making long-term services and supports affordable and accessible in communities 

is necessary to uphold the right of seniors and individuals with disabilities in 

the United States to a dignified quality 

of life. 

S. RES. 543

At the request of Mrs. BOXER, the 

names of the Senator from Pennsylvania (Mr. TOOMEY) and the Senator 

from South Dakota (Mr. JOHNSON) were 

added as cosponsors of S. Res. 543, a 

resolution to express the sense of the 

Senate on international parental child 

abduction. 

f 

STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED 

BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS 

By Mr. REED: 

S. 3582. A bill to improve quality and 

accountability for educator preparation programs; to the Committee on 

Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. 

Mr. REED. Mr. President, we know 

that public education lays the foundation for economic growth and the ongoing vitality of our democracy. 

We also know that there is more 

work to be done to improve our 

schools. To achieve this goal, we need 

to focus on the professionals who have 

the greatest impact on student learning at school—teachers and principals. 

Last year, I introduced the Effective 

Teaching and Leading Act to support 

teachers, librarians, and principals currently on the job through a comprehensive system of induction, professional 

development, and evaluation. 

Today, I am pleased to be introducing the Educator Preparation Reform Act with Representative HONDA

to improve how we prepare teachers, 

principals, and other educators so that 

they can be effective right from the 

start. 

Our legislation builds on the success 

of the Teacher Quality Partnership 

Program, which I helped author. We 

have added a specific focus on principals with the addition of a residency 

program for new principals. 

Improving instruction is a team effort, with principals at the helm. This 

bill better connects teacher preparation with principal preparation. The 

Educator Preparation Reform Act will 

also allow partnerships to develop 

preparation programs for other areas of 

instructional need, such as for school 

librarians, counselors, or other academic support professionals. 

The bill revamps the accountability 

and reporting requirements for teacher 

preparation programs to provide greater transparency on key quality measures such as admissions standards, requirements for clinical practice, placement of graduates, retention in the 

field of teaching, and teacher performance, including student learning outcomes. 

All programs, whether traditional or 

alternative routes to certification, will 

report on the same measures. 

Under this legislation, states will be 

required to identify at-risk and low 

performing programs and provide them 

with technical assistance and a 

timeline for improvement. Programs 

that are at-risk or low performing will 

be restricted in their ability to offer 

TEACH grants. States would be encouraged to close programs that do not 

improve. 

The Educator Preparation Reform 

Act refocuses the state set-aside for 

higher education in Title II of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act 

on activities to support the development and implementation of performance assessments to measure new 

teachers’ readiness for the classroom 

and for technical assistance for struggling teacher preparation programs. 

We have been fortunate to work with 

many stakeholders in developing the 

key provisions of this legislation. Organizations that have endorsed the Educator Preparation Reform Act include: 

the Alliance for Excellent Education, 

American Association of Colleges for 

Teacher Education, American Association of State Colleges and Universities, 

American Council on Education, American Psychological Association, Association of American Universities, Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities, Association of Public and Landgrant Universities, Council for Christian Colleges and Universities, First 

Focus Campaign for Children, Higher 

Education Consortium for Special Education, Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, National Association of Elementary School Principals, National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, National Association of Secondary School 

Principals, National Association of 

State Directors of Special Education, 


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September 20, 2012 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S6549 

National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, National Science Teachers Association, National School Boards Association Opportunity to Learn Action 

Fund, Public Education Network, 

Rural School and Community Trust, 

Silicon Valley Education Foundation, 

Teacher Education Division of the 

Council for Exceptional Children, 

American Association of Colleges of 

Teacher Education, The Higher Education Task Force, National Association of Elementary School Principals, 

and National Association of Secondary 

School Principals. 

I look forward to working with these 

organizations, my colleagues, and others as I seek to include this legislation 

during the effort next Congress to reauthorize both the Elementary and 

Secondary Education Act and the 

Higher Education Act. I encourage my 

colleagues to join me in supporting 

this legislation. 

By Mrs. HAGAN (for herself, Mr. 

KERRY, and Mrs. GILLIBRAND): 

S. 3583. A bill to authorize the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to establish and carry out a community revitalization program to provide Federal grants to communities for 

the rehabilitation of critically needed 

parks, recreational areas, and facilities, the development of improved recreational programs, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Banking, 

Housing, and Urban Affairs. 

Mrs. HAGAN. Mr. President, I rise 

today to highlight the impact that 

local parks, greenways, and recreational opportunities have in neighborhoods and communities across the 

country. 

Many Americans are dealing with the 

effects of a stagnant economy, the rising cost of health care, and threats to 

the overall quality of life in their communities. Research shows that investment in parks and recreation creates 

jobs, attracts business, increases property values, positively impacts public 

health, promotes conservation in a 

non-regulatory fashion, and contributes to a higher quality of life for hardworking Americans and their families. 

Additionally, recreation for disabled 

veterans has proven to be a powerful 

tool in the rehabilitation process, providing a number of significant therapeutic benefits for those who have 

served our country. Yet, many of our 

most populated areas are suffering 

from limited green space, deteriorating 

community facilities, and a lack of access to safe, quality recreation opportunities. 

I have seen first-hand the tremendous impact that parks, greenways, 

and recreation opportunities have had 

in my hometown of Greensboro, a three 

time winner of the National Recreation 

and Park Association’s Gold Medal 

Award. North Carolina’s beautiful capital city, Raleigh, which is often referred to as ‘‘a city within a park’’, has 

been recognized over the last several 

years by publications such as Forbes, 

Business Week, and the Wall Street 

Journal as the best city for business, 

best city for jobs, and the nation’s best 

place to live. All of these accolades are 

due in large part to the high quality of 

the parks and recreational facilities 

present throughout the community and 

were often noted when describing the 

criteria for making these ‘‘best of’’ selections. 

For all of these reasons, today I am 

introducing the Community Parks Revitalization Act with Senator KERRY

and Senator GILLIBRAND. The bill will 

authorize the U.S. Department of 

Housing and Urban Development to 

provide grants and technical assistance 

to rehabilitate community parks and 

recreational infrastructure. This legislation would also help communities 

provide improved opportunities for returning veterans, military families, 

and at-risk youth. Specifically, the 

Community Parks for Revitalization 

Act would provide matching grants to 

support localities by creating jobs and 

leveraging private investment by supporting capital projects that rehabilitate, and construct new, parks and 

recreation areas and facilities. 

The act will combat childhood obesity by connecting youth with the outdoors and improving overall public 

health by increasing access to recreational areas and facilities; by providing innovative, cost-effective, and 

non-regulatory solutions to environmental challenges; and by addressing 

the recreation needs of disabled veterans, military families, as well as disadvantaged youth. 

I ask all of my colleagues to please 

join me in supporting this timely legislation. 

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed 

in the RECORD. 

There being no objection, the text of 

the bill was ordered to be printed in 

the RECORD, as follows: 

S. 3583 

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 ‘‘Community 

Parks Revitalization Act’’. 

SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 

Congress finds the following: 

(1) According to the 2010 United States 

Census, over 80 percent of the population of 

the United States lives in urban areas. 

(2) Urban parks are a critical part of our 

Nation’s urban infrastructure, playing a 

vital role in revitalizing neighborhoods, 

stimulating our Nation’s economy, combating national issues such as obesity and 

juvenile delinquency, and protecting our environment. 

(3) Urban parks are a catalyst for active 

outdoor recreation, an industry which in 2010 

supported 6,100,000 American jobs, generated 

$646,000,000,000 in retail sales and services 

across the United States, generated 

$39,900,000,000 in Federal tax revenues, and 

$39,900,000,000 in State and local tax revenues. 

(4) Studies also show that approximately 20 

jobs are created for every $1,000,000 invested 

in parks and conservation projects. 

(5) Studies have found that parkland saves 

cities millions of dollars in storm water 

management and air pollution expenses by 

capturing precipitation, reducing runoff, and 

absorbing air pollutants. 

(6) Between 2001 and 2012, as funding for 

local parks and recreation significantly declined, the number of adults classified as 

overweight or obese steadily increased from 

61 percent to 67 percent. Similarly, during 

this same period, the number of children and 

adolescents classified as overweight or obese 

nearly tripled, going from 12 percent in 2001 

to 33 percent in 2011. 

(7) Physical inactivity contributes to obesity and takes a toll on our Nation’s economy, as the annual costs of medical spending 

and lost productivity from individuals in the 

United States being obese and overweight 

are estimated to be $147,000,000,000. Access to 

urban parks is critical to combating this 

issue. A study by the Centers for Disease 

Control found that the creation of, or enhanced access to, places for physical activity, such as parks, led to a 25.6 percent increase in the percentage of people exercising 

on 3 or more days a week which improves the 

physical and mental health of our citizens. 

(8) Access to urban parks is critical to 

combating obesity and its residual impact on 

health care expenses. A study by the Centers 

for Disease Control and Prevention found 

that the creation of, or enhanced access to, 

places for physical activity, such as parks, 

led to a 25.6 percent increase in the percentage of people exercising on 3 or more days a 

week, which improves the physical and mental health of our citizens. 

(9) According to the Centers for Disease 

control and Prevention, over the 25 years 

preceding the date of enactment of this Act, 

rates of obesity have more than tripled 

among adolescents ages 12 to 19 and doubled 

among adults ages 20 to 74 and children ages 

6 to 11. 

(10) Physical inactivity contributes to obesity. A study by the CDC found that the creation of, or enhanced access to, places for 

physical activity led to a 25.6 percent increase in the percentage of people exercising 

on 3 or more days a week. Physical activity 

can improve physical and mental health. The 

annual costs of medical spending and lost 

productivity from individuals in the United 

States being obese and overweight are estimated to be $147,000,000,000. 

(11) Urban parks also decrease juvenile delinquency by providing quality after school 

programs. According to the Juvenile Justice 

Bulletin, without structured, supervised activities in the after school hours, youth are 

at greater risk of being victims of crime or 

participating in anti-social behaviors, especially during the hours of 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm. 

(12) The National Youth Violence Prevention Resource Center reported that students 

who spend no time in extracurricular activities, such as those offered in after-school 

programs through parks and recreation 

agencies, are 49 percent more likely to have 

used drugs and 37 percent more likely to become teen parents than are those students 

who spend 1 to 4 hours per week in extracurricular activities. 

(13) According to the Juvenile Justice Bulletin, without structured, supervised activities in the after-school hours, youth are at 

greater risk of being victims of crime or participating in anti-social behaviors. Juveniles 

are at the highest risk of being a victim of 

crime between 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m., and 

the peak hour for juvenile crime is between 

3:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m., the first hour after 

most students are dismissed from school. 

SEC. 3. PURPOSES. 

The purposes of this Act are— 

(1) to authorize the Secretary to establish 

and carry out a community revitalization 

program to provide Federal grants to communities for the rehabilitation of critically 


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S6550 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE September 20, 2012 

needed parks, recreational areas, and facilities, the development of improved recreational programs, and for other purposes; 

(2) to improve urban areas through economic development; 

(3) to prevent and improve chronic disease 

outcomes, including cardiovascular disease, 

diabetes, depression, and obesity; 

(4) to improve recreational areas and facilities and expand recreation services in 

urban areas with a high incidence of crime 

and to help expand recreation opportunities 

for at-risk youth; 

(5) to promote collaboration between local 

agencies involved in parks and recreation, 

law enforcement, youth social services, and 

juvenile justice system; 

(6) to ensure accessibility to therapeutic 

recreation services and to provide recreation 

opportunities for injured or disabled members of the Armed Forces; and 

(7) to encourage the rehabilitation of existing and construction of new urban recreational areas and facilities with environmentally beneficial components, when possible, such as sustainable landscape features 

and upcycled and recycled materials, and to 

prioritize the selection of projects that provide environmental benefits to urban areas, 

including by updating lighting, planting 

trees, increasing the urban forestry canopy, 

improving stormwater management, increasing green infrastructure, employing water 

conservation measures, and adding green 

spaces to urban areas. 

SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS. 

In this Act, the following definitions shall 

apply: 

(1) The term ‘‘recreational areas and facilities’’ means indoor or outdoor parks, buildings, sites, or other facilities that are dedicated to recreation purposes and administered by public or private nonprofit agencies 

to serve the recreation needs of community 

residents, with emphasis on public facilities 

readily accessible to residential neighborhoods, including multiple-use community 

centers that have recreation as a primary 

purpose, but excluding major sports arenas, 

exhibition areas, and conference halls used 

primarily for commercial sports, spectator, 

or display activities. 

(2) The term ‘‘rehabilitation and construction grants’’ means matching capital grants 

to local governments for the purpose of rebuilding, remodeling, expanding, or developing existing or building new recreational 

areas and facilities, including improvements 

in park landscapes, infrastructure, buildings, 

and support facilities, and the provision of 

lighting, emergency phones, or other capital 

improvements to improve the security of 

urban parks, but excluding routine maintenance and upkeep activities. 

(3) The term ‘‘innovation and recreation 

program’’ grants means matching grants to 

local governments to cover costs of personnel, facilities, equipment, supplies, or 

services designed to demonstrate innovative 

and cost effective ways to augment park and 

recreation opportunities, or support new or 

existing programs, which increase access to 

recreation opportunities for returning veterans and active duty military and their 

families or provide constructive alternatives 

for youth at risk for engaging in criminal behavior. 

(4) The term ‘‘recovery action program 

grants’’ means matching grants to local governments for development of local park and 

recreation recovery action programs, including for resource and needs assessment, coordination, citizen involvement and planning, and program development activities to 

encourage public definition of goals and develop priorities and strategies for overall 

recreation system recovery. 

(5) The term ‘‘maintenance’’ means all 

commonly accepted practices necessary to 

keep recreational areas and facilities operating in a state of good repair and to protect 

such areas and facilities from deterioration 

resulting from normal wear and tear. 

(6) The term ‘‘local government’’ means 

any city, county, town, township, parish, village, or any local or regional special district 

such as a park district, conservation district, 

or park authority. 

(7) The term ‘‘private nonprofit agency’’ 

means a community-based, non-profit organization, corporation, or association organized for purposes of providing recreation, 

conservation, and educational services directly to urban residents on either a neighborhood or community-wide basis through 

voluntary donations, voluntary labor, or 

public or private grants. 

(8) The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. 

(9) The term ‘‘State’’ means any State of 

the United States (or any instrumentality of 

a State approved by the Governor), the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of 

Puerto Rico. 

(10) The term ‘‘insular areas’’ means 

Guam, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, 

and the Northern Mariana Islands. 

SEC. 5. FEDERAL ASSISTANCE GRANTS. 

(a) REGULATIONS.—Not later than 180 days 

after the date of enactment of this Act, the 

Secretary shall promulgate regulations establishing a community revitalization program to provide Federal rehabilitation and 

construction grants, innovation and recreation programming grants, and recovery action program grants in accordance with this 

Act. 

(b) REQUIREMENTS.—The regulations required under subsection (a) shall include— 

(1) eligibility requirements for the grant 

program established pursuant to such subsection; 

(2) the timing and form of applications required to be submitted to the Secretary by 

local governments seeking such grants; 

(3) required elements of any grant application required to be submitted to the Secretary by local governments seeking such 

grants; 

(4) criteria for priority selection and approval by the Secretary in choosing which 

local governments receive grant funds; 

(5) guidelines for seeking modification of a 

project to be funded or which is funded by 

the grant program established pursuant to 

such subsection; and 

(6) penalties placed on local governments 

that received amounts under the grant program established pursuant to such subsection for failing to comply with the reporting and recordkeeping requirements set forth 

in section 13, up to and including rescission 

of grant amounts for repetitive violations. 

SEC. 6. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS AND PRIORITY CRITERIA. 

(a) ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS.— 

(1) IN GENERAL.—In developing the regulations required under section 5(a), the Secretary shall set forth eligibility requirements for receiving grants under the community revitalization program established pursuant to this Act. 

(2) CONSIDERATIONS.—The eligibility requirements required to be established under 

paragraph (1) shall be based on— 

(A) evidence of a commitment to ongoing 

planning, rehabilitation, service, operation, 

and maintenance programs for park and recreations systems, as described in section 8; 

(B) population density (the number of persons per square mile of land area); 

(C) total population under 18 years of age 

or over 59 years of age; 

(D) the number of unemployed people as a 

percentage of the civilian labor force; 

(E) the percent of households without 

automobiles available; 

(F) the percent of persons with income 

below 125 percent of the poverty level; 

(G) the percent of single-headed households 

with children present; and 

(H) any additional criteria the Secretary 

determines appropriate. 

(b) PARTIAL ELIGIBILITY WAIVER.— 

(1) GENERALLY.—Subject to paragraph (2), 

the Secretary is authorized to designate 

local governments in standard metropolitan 

statistical areas, as defined by the most current census, that do not meet all of the eligibility requirements required under subsection (a) as eligible to receive grants under 

this Act. 

(2) LIMITATION OF FUNDS.—Grants to local 

governments described in paragraph (1) shall 

not exceed, in the aggregate, 15 percent of 

the funds appropriated pursuant to this Act 

for rehabilitation and construction, innovation and recreation program, and recovery 

action program grants. 

(c) ELIGIBILITY CERTIFICATION.—As part of 

any application process set forth pursuant to 

the regulations prescribed under section 5, a 

responsible official for a local government 

that has applied for a grant under this Act 

shall certify that the local government 

meets all of the eligibility requirements established under this Act with respect to receipt of grant amounts under the community 

revitalization program established pursuant 

to this Act. If a local government applies for 

a partial eligibility waiver under subsection 

(b), such certification shall specify which of 

the eligibility requirements are met by the 

local government. 

(d) PRIORITY CRITERIA.— 

(1) GENERAL PRIORITY CRITERIA.—The Secretary shall establish priority criteria for 

the selection and approval of projects to be 

funded by grant amounts made available 

pursuant to this Act. The priority criteria 

established under this subsection shall be 

based on factors such as— 

(A) a higher population density of the 

project neighborhood; 

(B) demonstrated deficiencies in the condition of existing recreational areas and facilities in the project neighborhood; 

(C) demonstrated deficiencies in access to 

neighborhood recreation opportunities, particularly for minority and low- and moderate-income residents, veterans or active 

duty military families, and residents with 

physical or mental disabilities; 

(D) the number of unemployed people as a 

percentage of the civilian labor force of the 

project neighborhood; 

(E) public participation in determining rehabilitation or development needs; 

(F) the extent to which a project or program supports or complements target activities undertaken as part of a local government’s overall community development and 

urban revitalization program; 

(G) the extent to which such a project 

would— 

(i) provide employment opportunities for 

minorities, youth, and low- and moderate-income residents in the project neighborhood; 

and 

(ii) provide for participation of neighborhood, nonprofit, or tenant organizations in 

the proposed rehabilitation and construction 

activity or in subsequent maintenance, staffing, or supervision of recreational areas and 

facilities; 

(H) the amount of State, local, and private 

support for the project as evidenced by commitments of non-Federal resources to 

project construction or operation; and 

(I) any additional criteria the Secretary 

determines appropriate. 

(2) PRIORITY CRITERIA FOR REHABILITATION

AND CONSTRUCTION GRANTS.—In addition to 


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September 20, 2012 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S6551 

the general priority criteria established 

under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall establish priority criteria for the selection and 

approval of projects to be funded by a rehabilitation and construction grant made pursuant to this Act, including whether the 

project— 

(A) builds recreational areas and facilities 

in areas that are located within half a mile 

of public housing or a school and do not currently have indoor or outdoor facilities; 

(B) creates, maintains, or revitalizes playgrounds or active play areas for children; 

(C) connects children to the outdoors for 

physical activity and access to nature; 

(D) promotes physical activity for individuals and the community at large; 

(E) works collaboratively with local governments, colleges, and universities, and 

other institutions to track the longitudinal 

rates of chronic diseases in the community 

such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, depression, and obesity; 

(F) uses environmentally beneficial components such as sustainable landscape features 

and upcycled and recycled materials; 

(G) provides environmental benefits to 

urban areas, including by— 

(i) updating lighting; 

(ii) planting trees; 

(iii) increasing the urban forestry canopy; 

(iv) improving stormwater management; 

(v) increasing green infrastructure; 

(vi) employing water conservation measures; or 

(vii) adding green spaces; 

(H) connects to public transportation; 

(I) uses LEED Green Building Standards or 

contains energy efficiency components such 

as energy efficient lighting and HVAC systems, and uses SITES sustainable landscape 

standards, or other sustainable components 

and practices; 

(J) contains safe trails or routes, such as 

trails, bikeways, and sidewalks that connect 

to neighborhoods and enhance access to 

parks and recreational areas and facilities; 

(K) enhances or expands youth development in neighborhoods and communities by 

engaging youth in environmental stewardship, conservation, and service projects; 

(L) updates existing equipment or facilities 

to be in compliance with the most recent accessibility guidelines published by the 

United States Access Board, specifically by 

removing architectural barriers so that sites 

comply or exceed the requirements of the 

final guidelines for the accessibility of recreational areas and facilities; or 

(M) constructs new facilities or sites to 

comply with or exceed the minimum requirements of the final guidelines for the accessibility of recreational sites and facilities published by the United States Access Board. 

(3) PRIORITY CRITERIA FOR INNOVATION AND

RECREATION PROGRAM GRANTS.—In addition to 

the general priority criteria established 

under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall establish priority criteria for the selection and 

approval of programs to be funded by an innovation and recreation program grant made 

pursuant to this Act, including whether the 

project or program— 

(A) promotes the unique integration of 

recreation with other community services, 

such as transportation, public housing and 

public safety, either to expand or update current services, or to link programs within the 

social service structure of a neighborhood or 

between neighborhoods; 

(B) utilizes new management and cost-saving or service-efficient approaches for improving the delivery of recreation services; 

(C) serves communities with a high population of active military families or veterans; 

(D) ensures accessibility to therapeutic 

recreation services and provides recreation 

opportunities for injured or disabled members of the Armed Forces; 

(E) employs veterans, youth, or uses youth 

volunteers; 

(F) targets youth are at the greatest risk 

of becoming involved in violence and crime; 

(G) demonstrates past success in providing 

constructive alternatives to youth at risk 

for engaging in criminal behavior; 

(H) demonstrates collaboration between 

local park and recreation, juvenile justice, 

law enforcement, and youth social service 

agencies and nongovernmental entities, including private, nonprofit agencies; and 

(I) shows the greatest potential of being 

continued with non-Federal funds or may 

serve as models for other communities. 

SEC. 7. REHABILITATION AND INNOVATION AND 

RECREATION PROGRAM GRANTS. 

(a) AUTHORIZATION.—Upon approval of an 

application by the chief executive of an eligible local government, the Secretary may 

provide 70 percent matching rehabilitation 

and construction grants and innovation and 

recreation program grants directly to such 

eligible local government. 

(b) TRANSFER.—At the discretion of a local 

government receiving a rehabilitation and 

construction grant or innovation and recreation program grant pursuant to subsection 

(a), and if consistent with an approved application, such a grant may be transferred in 

whole or in part to private nonprofit agencies, provided that assisted recreational 

areas and facilities owned or managed by 

such private nonprofit agencies offer recreation opportunities to the general population within the jurisdictional boundaries of 

the local government. 

(c) PAYMENTS.—Grant payments may be 

made only for rehabilitation and construction or innovation and recreation projects 

and programs approved by the Secretary. In 

the case of rehabilitation and construction 

and innovation projects, such payments may 

be made periodically in keeping with the 

rate of progress toward the satisfactory completion of a project, except that the Secretary may, when appropriate, make advance 

payments on approved rehabilitation and 

construction and innovation projects in an 

amount not to exceed 20 percent of the total 

project cost. 

(d) MODIFICATION OF PROJECT.—The Secretary may authorize modification of an approved rehabilitation and construction or innovation project only when a grantee has 

adequately demonstrated that such modification is necessary because of circumstances not foreseeable at the time such 

project was proposed. 

(e) SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR INNOVATION AND RECREATION PROGRAM.—Innovation 

grants shall correspond to the goals, priorities, and implementation strategies expressed in local park and recreation recovery 

action programs, with particular regard to 

the special considerations listed in section 

8(b) of this Act. 

SEC. 8. LOCAL COMMITMENTS TO SYSTEM RECOVERY AND MAINTENANCE. 

(a) RECOVERY ACTION PROGRAMS.— 

(1) IN GENERAL.—As a requirement for 

project approval, a local government applying for a grant under this Act shall submit to 

the Secretary evidence of its commitment to 

ongoing planning, rehabilitation, service, operation, and maintenance programs for its 

park and recreation systems. Such commitment shall be expressed in a local park and 

recreation recovery action program that 

maximizes coordination of all community resources, including other federally supported 

urban development and recreation programs. 

(2) INTERIM PRELIMINARY ACTION PROGRAMS.—During an initial interim period to 

be established by regulation, the recovery 

action program requirement under paragraph (1) may be satisfied by submission of 

preliminary action programs of a local government that define objectives, priorities, 

and implementation strategies for overall 

system recovery and maintenance and commit such local government to a scheduled 

program development process. 

(3) 5-YEAR ACTION PROGRAM.—Following the 

interim period under paragraph (2), each 

local government applicant shall submit to 

the Secretary, as a condition of eligibility, a 

5-year park and recreation recovery action 

program that demonstrates— 

(A) identification of recovery objectives, 

priorities, and implementation strategies; 

(B) adequate planning for rehabilitation of 

specific recreational areas and facilities, including projections of the cost of proposed 

projects; 

(C) capacity and commitment to assure 

that facilities provided or improved under 

this Act shall thereafter continue to be adequately maintained, protected, staffed, and 

supervised; 

(D) intention to maintain total local public outlays for park and recreation purposes 

at levels at least equal to those in the year 

preceding that in which grant assistance is 

sought, except in any case where a reduction 

in park and recreation outlays is proportionate to a reduction in overall spending by 

the applicant; and 

(E) the relationship of the park and recreation recovery action program to overall 

community development and urban revitalization efforts. 

(4) CONTINUING PLANNING PROCESS.—Where 

appropriate, the Secretary may encourage 

local governments to meet recovery action 

program requirements through a continuing 

planning process which includes periodic improvements and updates in recovery action 

program submissions to eliminate identified 

gaps in program information and policy development. 

(b) RECOVERY ACTION PROGRAM SPECIAL

CONSIDERATIONS.—Recovery action programs 

shall address, at a minimum, the following 

special considerations: 

(1) Rehabilitation of existing recreational 

areas and facilities, including— 

(A) general systemwide renovation; 

(B) special rehabilitation requirements for 

recreational areas and facilities in areas of 

high population concentration and economic 

distress; and 

(C) restoration of outstanding or unique 

structures, landscaping, or similar features 

in parks of historical or architectural significance. 

(2) Local commitments to innovative and 

cost-effective programs and projects at the 

neighborhood level to augment recovery of 

park and recreation systems, including— 

(A) recycling of abandoned schools and 

other public buildings for recreation purposes; 

(B) multiple use of operating educational 

and other public buildings; 

(C) purchase of recreation services on a 

contractual basis; 

(D) use of mobile facilities and recreational, cultural, and educational programs or other innovative approaches to improving access for neighborhood residents; 

(E) integration of the recovery action program with federally assisted projects to 

maximize recreation opportunities through 

conversion of abandoned railroad and highway rights-of-way, waterfront, and other redevelopment efforts and such other federally 

assisted projects, as appropriate; 

(F) conversion to recreational use of street 

space, derelict land, and other public lands 

not now designated for neighborhood recreational use; and 


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S6552 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE September 20, 2012 

(G) use of various forms of compensated 

and uncompensated land regulation, tax inducements, or other means to encourage the 

private sector to provide neighborhood park 

and recreation facilities and programs. 

(c) PUBLICATION OF REQUIREMENTS.—The 

Secretary shall establish and publish in the 

Federal Register requirements for preparation, submission, and updating of local park 

and recreation recovery action programs. 

(d) INNOVATION AND RECREATION PROGRAM

GRANT.— 

(1) ELIGIBILITY.—In order to be eligible to 

receive an at-risk youth recreation grant, a 

local government shall— 

(A) include in its 5-year park and recreation recovery action program the goal of— 

(i) utilizing new ideas, concepts, and approaches aimed at improving facility design, 

operations, or programming in the delivery 

of recreation services; 

(ii) increased access of therapeutic or other 

recreation services to veterans and military 

families; or 

(iii) reducing crime and juvenile delinquency; and 

(B) provide a description of implementation strategies to achieve such goals. 

(2) COORDINATION.—The description of implementation strategies under paragraph (1) 

shall also address how the local government 

is coordinating its recreation programs with 

other community development or service 

agencies. 

(e) RECOVERY ACTION PROGRAM GRANTS.— 

The Secretary is authorized to provide up to 

50 percent matching grants to eligible local 

government applicants for recovery action 

program development and planning to meet 

the objectives of this section. 

SEC. 9. STATE ACTION INCENTIVE; FEDERAL 

GRANTS, INCREASE. 

The Secretary is authorized to increase 

Federal rehabilitation and construction 

grants and innovation and recreation program grants authorized under section 7, by 

providing an additional match equal to the 

total match provided by a State of up to 15 

percent of the total project or program costs. 

In no event may the Federal matching 

amount exceed 85 percent of total project or 

program cost. The Secretary shall further 

encourage the States to assist in assuring 

that local recovery plans and programs are 

adequately implemented by cooperating with 

the Department of Housing and Urban Development in monitoring local park and recreation recovery action programs and in assuring consistency of such plans and programs, 

where appropriate, with State recreation 

policies as set forth in statewide comprehensive outdoor recreation plans. 

SEC. 10. MATCHING REQUIREMENTS; NON-FEDERAL SHARE OF PROJECT OR PROGRAM COSTS. 

(a) NON-FEDERAL SOURCES.—The non-Federal share of project or program costs assisted under this Act may be derived from— 

(1) general or special purpose State or local 

revenues; 

(2) State categorical grants; 

(3) special appropriations by State legislatures; 

(4) donations of land, buildings, or building 

materials; 

(5) in-kind construction, technical, and 

planning services; or 

(6) any combination of paragraphs (1) 

through (5). 

(b) PROHIBITED SOURCES.—No moneys from 

any Federal grant program other than general revenue sharing and the community development and energy efficiency and conservation block grant programs shall be used 

to match Federal grants under this program. 

(c) PRIVATE CONTRIBUTIONS.—The Secretary shall encourage States and private interests to contribute, to the maximum extent possible, to the non-Federal share of 

project or program costs. 

SEC. 11. CONVERSION OF RECREATION PROPERTY. 

No property improved or developed with 

assistance under this Act shall, without the 

approval of the Secretary, be converted for 

uses other than for public recreation. The 

Secretary shall approve such conversion only 

if the Secretary determines it to be consistent with the current local park and 

recreation recovery action program and only 

upon such conditions as the Secretary determines necessary to assure the provision of 

adequate recreation properties and opportunities of reasonably equivalent location and 

usefulness. 

SEC. 12. COORDINATION OF PROGRAM. 

The Secretary shall— 

(1) coordinate the urban revitalization and 

livable communities program with other 

Federal departments and agencies and with 

State agencies that administer programs and 

policies affecting urban areas such as the 

White House Office of Urban Policy and departments that administer programs and 

policies affecting climate change, green jobs, 

housing, urban development, natural resources management, employment, transportation, community services, and voluntary 

action; 

(2) encourage maximum coordination of 

the program between appropriate State 

agencies and local government applicants; 

and 

(3) require that local government applicants include provisions for participation of 

community and neighborhood residents, including youth, and for public-private coordination in recovery action program planning 

and project selection. 

SEC. 13. REPORT; RECORDKEEPING; AUDIT AND 

EXAMINATION. 

(a) REPORT.—Each recipient of assistance 

under this Act shall submit to the Secretary, 

for each fiscal year such assistance is received, an annual report detailing the 

projects and programs undertaken with such 

assistance, the number of jobs created by 

such assistance, and any other information 

the Secretary determines appropriate based 

on the priority criteria established by the 

Secretary under sections 5 and 6. 

(b) RECORDKEEPING.—Each recipient of assistance under this Act shall keep such 

records as the Secretary shall prescribe, including records that fully disclose the 

amount and disposition of project or program undertakings in connection with which 

assistance under this Act is given or used, 

and the amount and nature of that portion of 

the cost of the project or program undertaking supplied by other sources, and such 

other records as will facilitate an effective 

audit. 

(c) AUDIT AND EXAMINATION.—The Secretary and the Comptroller General of the 

United States, or their duly authorized representatives, shall have access, for the purpose of audit and examination, to any books, 

documents, papers, and records of a recipient 

of assistance under this Act that are pertinent to such assistance. 

SEC. 14. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—There are authorized to 

be appropriated such sums as necessary to 

carry out this Act for each of fiscal years 

2013 through 2022. 

(b) RECOVERY ACTION PROGRAM GRANTS.— 

Not more than 3 percent of the funds appropriated pursuant to subsection (a) in any fiscal year may be used for grants for the development of local park and recreation recovery 

action programs pursuant to section 8 of this 

Act. 

(c) INNOVATION AND RECREATION PROGRAM

GRANTS.—Not more than 10 percent of the 

funds appropriated pursuant to subsection 

(a) in any fiscal year may be used for innovation grants pursuant to section 7 of this Act. 

(d) DISCRETIONARY FUND.—Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act or 

any other law or regulation, not more than 2 

percent of the funds appropriated pursuant 

to subsection (a) in any fiscal year may be 

used to provide rehabilitation and construction grants, innovation and recreation program grants, and recovery action program 

grants to be used in the insular areas. Such 

sums will not be subject to the matching 

provisions of this Act, and may only be subject to such conditions, reports, plans, and 

agreements, if any, as determined by the 

Secretary. 

SEC. 15. LIMITATION OF USE OF FUNDS. 

Not more than 10 percent of funds appropriated pursuant to section 14 for rehabilitation and construction grants in any fiscal 

year may be used for the acquisition of lands 

or interests in land. 

SEC. 16. REPORTS TO CONGRESS. 

(a) INTERIM REPORT.—Not later than 5 

years after the date of enactment of this 

Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress 

an interim report containing such findings 

and recommendations as the Secretary determines appropriate with respect to the 

community revitalization program established pursuant to this Act. 

(b) FINAL REPORT.—Not later than 10 years 

after the date of enactment of this Act, the 

Secretary shall submit to Congress a report 

describing the overall impact of the community revitalization program established pursuant to this Act. 

By Mrs. BOXER (for herself and 

Mrs. FEINSTEIN): 

S. 3587. A bill to include the Point 

Arena-Stornetta Public Lands in the 

California Coastal National Monument 

as a part of the National Landscape 

Conservation System, and for other 

purposes; to the Committee on Energy 

and Natural Resources. 

Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I am 

pleased to introduce the California 

Coastal National Monument Expansion 

Act. Congressman MIKE THOMPSON recently introduced companion legislation to this bill in the House of Representatives, and I thank him for all of 

the work he has done on advancing this 

initiative. I would also like to thank 

Senator DIANNE FEINSTEIN for joining 

me as an original co-sponsor of this 

legislation. 

The California Coastal National 

Monument, created by President Clinton in 2000, stretches over 1,100 miles 

off California’s coast and protects more 

than 20,000 small islands, rocks, exposed reefs, and islands between Mexico and Oregon. My bill would incorporate 1,225 acres of the Stornetta Public Lands and other public lands near 

the city of Point Arena in Mendocino 

County into the existing National 

Monument, creating the Monument’s 

first onshore additions. By expanding 

the National Monument to include the 

‘‘Point Arena-Stornetta Public Lands,’’ 

my bill not only preserves the area for 

future generations, but also helps create a more cohesive bridge between the 

offshore resources and onshore public 

lands. Visitors will have contiguous 

public access to the current National 

Monument, the proposed expansion 


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