1976 WINTER OLYMPIC GAMES

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 1972

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

SUBCOMMITTEE ON NATIONAL PARKS AND RECREATION, COMMITTEE ON INTERIOR AND INSULAR AFFAIRS, Washington, D.C. The subcommittee met, pursuant to call, at 10:05 a.m., in room 1328, Longworth House Office Building, Hon. Roy A. Taylor (chairman of the subcommittee) presiding.

Mr. TAYLOR. The Subcommittee on National Parks and Recreation will come to order.

We meet this morning to consider H.R. 14597, by our colleague on the subcommittee, Mr. McKevitt, the chairman of the full committee, Mr. Aspinall, and the two other Representatives from Colorado, Mr. Brotzman and Mr. Evans. We also have before us S. 3531-a comparable measure approved by the other body.

Basically, these measures provide for U.S. participation in the program for the 1976 winter Olympics which are to be held in Colorado. As approved by the other body, the bill calls for the appropriation of $15.5 million to be made available to the Secretary of the Interior to assist State and local units of government in planning, designing, and constructing the necessary facilities for the winter games.

On April 28, 1972, the chairman of the committee, Mr. Aspinall, asked the General Accounting Office to review the planning activities related to this legislation and to submit its report to the committee. Accordingly, the review was conducted and the report has been sub

mitted.

I do not desire to proceed at length on this legislation. We are here today to learn about it. Additional hearings are anticipated before further action will be taken.

In the absence of objection. I place in the record a copy of H.R. 14597, S. 3531, and a copy of the report of the Department of Interior dated June 19, 1972. Also, a copy of the proposed environmental impact statement will be made a part of the record. Hearing no objec

tion, it is so ordered.

(Bills H.R. 14597 and S. 3531, and the departmental report follow:)

[H.R. 14597, 92d Cong., second sess.]

A BILL To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to participate in the planning, design, and construction of outdoor recreational facilities in connection with the 1976 Winter Olympic Games

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the Congress has declared it to be desirable that all American people of present and future generations be assured

adequate outdoor recreation resources; and declares that the XII International Winter Olympic Games which are to be held in the United States in 1976 are in furtherance of stimulating an awareness of outdoor recreation activities.

SEC. 2. There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of the Interior the sum of $ to be advanced as he deems appropriate, to cities or counties, or both, in the State of Colorado to be used to plan, design, and construct necessary facilities in connection with the XII International Winter Olympic Games, such funds to remain available until expended.

SEC. 3. Prior to advancing any funds authorized under section 2 of this Act, the Secretary of the Interior shall be satisfied that the facilities will be designed and constructed in a manner which will assure maximum continued public use and benefit.

SEC. 4. There is also authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Interior the sum of $ for administration of this Act, such funds to remain

available until expended.

[S. 3531, 92d Cong., second sess.]

AN ACT To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to disburse funds appropriated by Congress for the planning, design, and construction of recreational facilities in connection with the 1976 Winter Olympic Games

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the Congress has declared it to be desirable that all American people of present and future generations be assured adequate outdoor recreation resources; and declares that the XII International Winter Olympic Games which are to be held in the United States in 1976, as a part of the American Revolution Bicentennial Celebration, are in furtherance of stimulating an awareness of outdoor recreation activities.

SEC. 2. There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of the Interior a sum not to exceed $15,500,000 (December 1971 prices), plus or minus such amounts, if any, as may be justified by reason of ordinary fluctuation in construction costs as indicated by engineering cost indexes applicable to the types of construction involved herein, to advance and pay as he deems appropriate, to cities or counties, or both, in the State of Colorado, to be used to plan, design, and construct necessary facilities in connection with XII Winter Olympic Games, such funds to remain available until expended: Provided, however, That none of the funds appropriated pursuant to this section shall be expended upon the adoption of an initiated amendment to the constitution of the State of Colorado at the November 7, 1972, election, the purpose of which is to prohibit appropriating or loaning State funds for the purpose of aiding or furthering the 1976 Winter Olympic Games.

SEC. 3. Prior to paying any funds authorized under section 2 of this Act, the Secretary of the Interior shall be satisfied that the facilities will be designed and constructed in a manner which will assure maximum continued public use and benefit consistent with the primary purpose of the bill which is to secure the construction at reasonable cost of necessary facilities for the XII International Winter Olympic Games and an environmental impact statement pursuant to section 102 of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 is filed with respect to the actions authorized in this Act. The provisions of this section shall not apply to the expenditure of funds for environmental studies, engineering, and planning.

SEC. 4. The provisions of title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 shall apply with respect to the employment of individuals in any construction project assisted pursuant to this Act and to the employment of individuals in connection with the XII International Winter Olympic Games.

SEC. 5. (a) Each recipient of assistance under this Act shall keep such records as the Secretary of the Interior shall prescribe, including records which fully disclose the amount and the disposition by such recipient of the proceeds of such assistance, the total cost of the project or undertaking in connection with which such assistance is given or used, and the amount and nature of that portion of the cost of the project or undertaking supplied by other sources, and such other records as will facilitate an effective audit.

(b) The Secretary of the Interior and the Comptroller General of the United States, or any of their duly authorized representatives, shall have access for the purpose of audit and examination to any books, documents, papers, and

records of the recipient that are pertinent to assistance received under this Act. SEC. 6. All laborers and mechanics employed by contractors or subcontractors on all construction projects assisted under this Act shall be paid wages at rates not less than those prevailing on similar construction in the locality as determined by the Secretary of Labor in accordance with the Davis-Bacon Act, as amended (40 U.S.C. 276a-276a-5). The Secretary of Labor shall have with respect to the labor standards specified in this section the authority and functions set forth in Reorganization Plan Numbered 14 of 1950 (15 F.R. 3176) and section 2 of the Act of June 13, 1934, as amended (40 U.S.C. 276c).

SEC. 7. There is also authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of the Interior such sums as may be necessary for administration of this Act, such funds to remain available until expended.

TITLE II-NATIONAL COMMISSION ON THE OLYMPIC GAMES

FINDINGS

SEC. 201. The Congress hereby finds and declares

(a) the United States Olympic Committee was created as a Federal corporation by Act of Congress which gives that Committee responsibility for the participation by the United States in the Olympic Games and which requires the Committee to submit annual reports to Congress;

(b) the Federal charter granted by Congress to the United States Olympic Committee grants to that Committee exclusive jurisdiction over all matters pertaining to the participation of the United States in the Olympic Games;

(c) serious problems have arisen in the conduct of Olympic Games, both Summer and Winter, which have led to widespread criticism of certain aspects of the Games and of the manner in which the United States administers its preparation for and participation in the Games:

(d) an evaluation is required of the form of organization and the means by which the United States can participate most effectively in the Olympic Games and provide leadership in accomplishing appropriate action which will assure that future Games will be organized and conducted in a manner which will contribute to the high ideals of the Games; and

(e) a National Commission on the Olympic Games would provide a means of determining constructive action toward accomplishing these goals and preparing specific legislative proposals which would command broad public support.

ESTABLISHMENT

SEC. 202. There is hereby established a National Commission on the Olympic Games (hereinafter referred to as the "Commission").

MEMBERSHIP

SEC. 203. The Commission shall be composed of seven public members who shall be appointed by the President. Such members shall be selected with the purpose of assuring objective consideration of all viewpoints and no member shall be an officer or director, past or present, of the United States Olympic Committee or any national athletic association or federation.

ADMINISTRATIVE

SEC. 204. The President of the United States shall designate a Chairman from among the members of the Commission. Any vacancy in the Commission shall not affect its powers but shall be filled in the same manner in which the original appointment was made.

DUTIES

SEC. 205. (a) The Commission shall review the participation by the United States in the Olympic Games and, if it recommends that such participation should be continued, shall also recommend the form of organization by means of which the United States should participate in the Olympic movement and shall present specific proposals for the legislative action required to carry out that recommendation.

(b) In formulating its specific legislative proposals the Commission shall take into account:

(1) the objectives of the modern Olympic movement and the extent to which those objectives are being met;

(2) the manner in which Olympic Games are administered, with particular attention to the views of those who participate in those games as athletes, coaches, officials, or otherwise or who have attended such Games in any other capacity;

(3) the role which the United States Olympic Games Committee has played in international sports and the manner in which United States partic ipation in the Olympic Games has been organized and administered by the Committee;

(4) the policies which would assure the selection on a fair and equitable basis of the best qualified athletes, coaches, managers, trainers and other officials and which would provide the maximum opportunity for persons to develop their athletic skills and participate in international athletic competition; and

(5) the arrangements which will best protect the interests of the individual athletes during the period of their training, travel, and participation in the Games.

(c) The Commission shall submit to the President and to the Congress an interim report with respect to its findings and recommendations not later than February 1, 1973. A final report of its findings and recommendations shall be submitted to the President and the Congress not later than July 31, 1973.

POWERS

SEC. 206. (a) Subject to such rules and regulations as may be adopted by the Commission, the Chairman shall have the power to

(1) appoint and fix the compensation of an Executive Director, and such additional staff personnel as he deems necessary, without regard to the provisions of title 5, United States Code, governing appointments in the competitive service, and without regard to chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of such title relating to classification and General Schedule pay rates, but at rates not in excess of the maximum rate for GS-18 of the General Schedule under section 5332 of such title:

(2) procure temporary and intermittent services to the same extent as is authorized by section 3109 of title 5. United States Code, but at rates not to exceed $100 a day for individuals; and

(3) hold such hearings, sit and act at such times and places, and administer such oaths, as the Commission or any subcommittee or member thereof may deem advisable.

(b) Each department, agency, and instrumentality of the executive branch of the Government, including independent agencies, is authorized and directed to furnish to the Commission, upon request made by the Chairman, such data, reports, and other information as the Commission deems necessary to carry out its functions under this title. The Commission is further authorized to request from any public or private organization or agency and to obtain from the United States Olympic Committee any information deemed necessary to carry out its functions. (c) Four members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum, but a lesser number may conduct hearings.

COMPENSATION

SEC. 207. Members of the Commission shall receive $125 per diem when engaged in the actual performance of duties vested in the Commission, plus reimbursement for travel, subsistence, and other necessary expenses incurred in the performance of such duties.

AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS

SEC. 208. There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out the provisions of this title.

TERMINATION

SEC. 209. The Commission shall cease to exist thirty days after the submission of its final report.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY, Washington, D.C., June 19, 1972.

Hon. WAYNE N. ASPINALL,

Chairman, Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs, House of Representatives, Washington, D.C.

DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: This responds to your request for this Department's views on H.R. 14597, a bill "To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to participate in the planning, design, and construction of outdoor recreational facilities in connection with the 1976 Winter Olympic Games."

We recommend that the bill be enacted if amended as suggested herein.

In H.R. 14557 Congress would declare it to be desirable that all Americans be assured outdoor recreation resources, and would declare the XII International Winter Olympic Games, which are to be held in the United States in 1976, are in furtherance of stimulating an awareness of outdoor recreation activities. The bill would authorize the appropriation of a sum of money (left blank) to be advanced by the Secretary as he deems appropriate to cities or counties, or both, in Colorado to be used to plan, design, and construct necessary facilities for such Olympic games. The funds would remain available until expended. Prior to advancing the funds the Secretary would have to “be satisfied that the facilities will be designed and constructed in a manner which will assure maximum continued public use and benefit." The bill would also authorize to be appropriated to the Secretary a sum (left blank) for administration of the Act.

Every four years the Olympic games, the highest tradition of sportsmanship, provide a unique opportunity to promote international goodwill and understanding. To host the Olympic games is universally regarded as a national honor.

The Olympic games originated in Greece, the birthplace of democracy. Accordingly, the coincidence of the XII Winter Olympic games with the American Revolution Bicentennial celebration, and the State of Colorado Centennial, makes it particularly appropriate that this country host the Winter Olympic Games in 1976.

The international significance of the Olympic games, the coincidence with the Nation's bicentennial and the potential continuing benefits to the Nation make it appropriate, in our view, that the Federal Government contribute the cost of some of the needed facilities. Accordingly, we recommend that the bill be amended to recognize the Winter Olympic Games in 1976 as an official part of the Nation's bicentennial celebration. We recommend that on page 1, line 7, the following be inserted after "1976": "as a part of the American Revolution Bicentennial celebration,"

We cannot at this time recommend a specific sum to be inserted in the bill. We have reviewed the cost estimates prepared by the Denver Organizing Committee to support their proposals for $17.5 million of Federal funds to build ski jumps, bobsled and luge, Nordic skiing, biathlon and speed skating complexes and to provide warming areas for competitors, TV, radio and press stands, toilets and other temporary facilities. The design and site selections for some of these facilities is still tentative. There is a possibility that the four-man bobsled run may be eliminated from the games in view of the high cost of this facility and its limited amateur following, and that the two-man bobsled and luge runs may be combined into a single facility. Further, there is a possibility that donations of sites and the use of existing facilities may reduce the amount required to finance the planning and construction of these complexes. These and other uncertainties make it difficult for us at this time to offer a firm figure. We, therefore, recommend that the bill be amended as follows: on page 2, line 2 delete "the sum $" and insert in lien "such sums as may be necessary”.

We also recommend that the title of the bill be rephrased to reflect more clearly its primary purpose. We recommend that “participate in" be changed to "disburse funds appropriated by Congress for".