Mr. McKEVITT. Yes, sir.

Mr. JOHNSON. I have always been a strong supporter, and we were very thankful that we did stage the games in 1960 and have the success that we did in California, and I wish Denver the same. Considering that it is in 1976 when we will be doing a lot of things through the United States to celebrate our 200th anniversary, I want to be a strong supporter for this, and I want to see it get financed, and with a good master plan that will eliminate a lot of the local headaches and a lot of the criticism that comes out of the games.

Mr. McKEVITT. I might add, Congressman Johnson, that this is not only the 1976 Olympic games for Denver, Colo., and the Nation, but it will also be the centennial celebration for the State of Colorado at that time. As a result, there is a great deal of planning going into the centennial itself, such as the development of a cultural center, the sports arena, and other facilities around the State. So, this actually ties in with the planning of our centennial as well.

Mr. JOHNSON. Very good.

Thank you.

Mr. TAYLOR. The gentleman from Wisconsin.
Mr. KASTENMEIER. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

I would just like to make an observation.

I appreciate the conscientiousness with which our colleague is pursuing this matter. I think it is quite appropriate for him to do so. On the other hand, I do think that the observation and the commentary of our chairman is quite persuasive on this. We do have a referendum in Colorado coming up. And I would hope that the committee would have a chance to explore the matter more fully.

On the other hand, I would also say that I think it is very important that this country continue its support of the Olympics and when it has an opportunity to become a host, that it follow through on that, notwithstanding some of the disagreeable aspects of the last Olympics. This country may complain once in a while, but we are not quitters, and I think it is extremely important that the winter Olympics be held in this country.

As to those who suggest that there may be environmental damage. I think they perhaps ought to have an opportunity to speak to that. But in any event, I do support the gentleman in his efforts to have the winter Olympics held in this country in 1976. And I trust that it will be in Colorado.

Mr. McKEVITT. Thank you, Congressman Kastenmeier.
Mr. TAYLOR. The gentleman from Alaska, any questions?

Mr. BEGICH. Just one question. I am sorry that I wasn't here to hear your statement, but I did read it. It is an excellent statement. We would like to see you pioneer the program so that we can get it in Alaska in the early 1980's. We have an excellent area where it could be located.

Are you on schedule with your construction program?

Mr. McKEVITT. I am advised by the committee that they are at the present time.

Mr. BEGICH. If legislation passes Congress tied to the vote, as you have stated on page 2 of your statement, would that still keep you on

schedule, if we are able to pass the authorization legislation prior to Congress' adjourning?

Mr. McKEVITT. Yes.

One critical thing here, Congressman Begich, would be this supplemental or deficiency appropriation. It should be available within the next 90 days after the election, because of the fact that we have to do environmental studies while the snow is on the ground. And so it has to be timely-I like to brag and say June or July with Colorado skiing, but that isn't the case all the time, so it would have to be spring. It is important there also, because of the engineering studies and architectural studies as well. So, we are talking about a figure that would be necessary this winter. Otherwise the facilities for the games may not be on schedule.

Mr. BEGICH. I was impressed with the analysis of our colleague, Congressman Metcalfe, regarding the Germans' plans to use the facilities at Munich after they completed their games. In fact, the greatest hour may come in the future for the use of that facility in Munich, even though it may be slightly tattered after the last Olympics. What plans does Colorado have for the use of these facilities after?

Mr. McKEVITT. I join in your sentiment about Congressman Metcalfe. In fact the two most knowledgeable men about Olympicsnamely, Congressman Metcalfe and Congressman Mathias-have graciously accepted the offer to testify here this morning, and I don't want to deprive them of their time. But so far as long-range developments are concerned, there are a number of things which tie in which are ancillary, such as the cultural center and the housing. The other example would be the speed skating rink. It would be a permanent facility which could house all types of indoor sports. It has to do on a 400-meter track for the speed skating. And so you can imagine the size of the indoor facilities. It could be subsequently used not only for an ice skating arena, but also could be used for indoor tennis courts, and it could be used for even games of the nature of rugby or soccer.

So far as other facilities are concerned, of course, one of our principal industries in Colorado is skiing. We pride ourselves on being the ski capital of the world. And so this would, of course, enhance our facilities as to the ski jump complex, and also from the standpoint of some of the centers downtown such as the colliseum. It would improve facilities there. I think the biggest thing that flows from it is the idea that, having one of the greatest ski areas of the world, is the desire to host it from that standpoint, for the world to be able to participate in an area such as Colorado's that has the great facilities it does for these different events.

Mr. BEGICH. Mr. Chairman, I am asking the questions because I didn't want to let my two colleagues from Colorado steal all the limelight.

The 1956 Olympic hockey team was coached by Johnnie Mararuci from my home town of Eveleth, Minn., which has been called the hockey capital like Denver is the capital of American skiing. On that 1956 Olympic team my hometown of 5,000 in the Iron Range had five players, along with the coach, Mararuci. I was interested in the followup, because those facilities in our hometown have been used by

our kids playing hockey from the age of 5 all the way up. They have an organized activity. I don't want to build a great hockey monopoly out in Denver, Colo., but I thought that at least the use of the facilities after is very, very important, and could sell your project to those who are vigorously fighting the project now. I think in the winter sports we are finally gaining some excellence. It is still an excellent winter sport, and the way you handle the whole Olympic games for 1976 could dramatize the winter sports in a positive way. You could forestall this negative turn of events by some of the groups fighting it by getting more publicity for winter sports in America.

Even in the South artificial ice rinks are producing new excitement for the various winter sports.

In fact, hockey is one of the most exciting winter sports. It is a fascinating sport, and the best spectator sport there is. And skiing, of course, is right behind it.

We have noticed just in Alaska's own resort of Alyeska-we hope to hold future Olympic games in Alaska-that half the bookings next year are booked by Japanese who are now coming to Alaska for skiing. That is a most interesting fact. We are pushing for the Olympics in the 1980's, and our State will be watching carefully everything you do. We wish you well.

I know that my colleague on the committee has done an excellent job of persuading members of the committee about the necessity of this program.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. McKEVITT. Thank you, Mr. Begich.

Mr. TAYLOR. Of course, the Olympic team represents all America. A 16-year-old girl from my district was on the swimming team at Munich. And her success in getting there was an inspiration to many, many people in our area, especially young people.

Thank you very much.

Mr. ASPINALL. Mr. Chairman, before you call on our colleagues, Congressmen Metcalfe and Mathias, I wish to state that it is one of the necessities of life here that when the Rules Committee calls the chairman to appear on a request for a rule we go. So, it will be necessary for Mr. McElvain and me to be excused at this time. Mr. Chairman so that we can appear before the Rules Committee on the Gateway proposal. I am sorry that I won't be able to hear the testimony of my colleagues. Mr. TAYLOR. We regret that you have to go. I know that the Rules Committee had set 11 o'clock this morning as the time for our request. for a rule on the Gateway National Recreation Area in New York and New Jersey. It is one of our most important bills. Normally, I would go with the chairman, but he can look after that end, and I will try to continue here.

Mr. McKEVITT. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. TAYLOR. We thank our colleague for his useful testimony.

Mr. TAYLOR. At this time I wish to place in the record a statement. from our colleague from Colorado, the honorable Donald G. Brotzman. Do I hear any objection. Hearing none, the statement will be inserted in the record at this place.

(The statement follows:)

STATEMENT OF HON. DONALD G. BBOTZMAN, A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF COLORADO

Mr. Chairman, I greatly appreciate this opportunity to advise the distinguished members of this Subcommittee of my support for the legislation to authorize federal participation in the planning, design, and construction of certain facilities necessary to stage the 1976 Winter Olympiad in Denver. This bill has been cosponsored by Colorado's four Representatives and two Senators, and it should be noted that S. 3531, the Senate companion to H.R. 14597, has been passed, with amendments, by the other body.

At the outset, Mr. Chairman, it should be recognized that there is a divergence of opinion within the state of Colorado as to whether or not the 1976 Winter Olympiad should be hosted. The matter is one which will be put to the voters in November, and I note with approval that the Senate, in S. 3531, has made federal funding contingent upon the outcome of the Colorado referendum. I further understand that it is the intention of this Subcommittee to not authorize federal assistance in the absence of voter support in Colorado on November 7. Thus, Mr. Chairman, what I have to say should be viewed in the context of favorable voter response to the staging of the Olympics. Should the response be negative, then I would oppose the utilization of federal funds to force the Games on the people of the State. Such an action would be destructive of the spirit in which the Games ought to be held, and Games staged under such conditions surely would be doomed to fail.

If the XII Winter Olympic Games are held in Colorado, federal participation in underwriting their cost is essential to secure the following results: (1) that the staging of the Games in Colorado enhance the esteem of this nation in the eyes of the world; (2) that the housing and sports facilities which must be built to host the games be constructed in such a way as to leave Coloradans of the future with a positive legacy; and (3) that the facilities be constructed and the Games staged in such a way that Colorado's natural environment be improved, not degraded; and that Colorado becomes a better place to live because it hosted the Games.

In 1960 the Winter Olympics were held at Squaw Valley, California. At that time the federal government appropriated approximately $4 million in direct assistance, in addition to a considerable amount of indirect assistance. Since 1960, construction costs have greatly increased. Moreover, our recognition of the need to develop facilities with high after-use capability makes it all the more critical that the facilities for the 1976 Winter Olympics be of a lasting character. Most nations of the world view the production of an Olympics as a national event. We have not done so in this country, but we cannot overlook the fact that while the Games are awarded to a city, it is the entire nation which becomes the object of the world's attention. In one ten-day period, television will beam an impression of the United States to hundreds of millions of homes throughout the world. For a great number of these persons the Olympics coverage will shape their attitude toward the United States. We cannot afford to do a bad job.

The 1976 Winter games occur at a particularly significant time in the history of both Colorado and the United States, it being the centennial year of the state and the bicentennial year of the nation. The American Revolution Bicentennial Commission has already recognized the 1976 Olympics as one of the bicentennial events. So it is a year in which world attention will already be focused on the United States, and the staging of the Olympic Games will surely serve to intensify that attention.

You will hear, Mr. Chairman, from those who oppose the staging of the 1976 Winter Olympics in Colorado on the grounds that they will adversely affect the state's environment. Frankly, there is no type of human endeavor which, when improperly executed, does not pose a threat to the environment. But it need not be so, and I am confident that those charged with the planning for the Olympics have gone to great lengths to assure that they will actually enhance Colorado's total environmental picture. It goes without saying that facilities constructed in whole or in part by federal funds would necessitate the preparation of environmental impact statements in accordance with the provisions of the National Environmental Protection Act. This is as it should be, and I am confident that

Colorado's environment is of paramount importance in the planning effort. Federal participation can assure the success of the Olympics from the environmental standpoint.

One of the amendments agreed to on the floor of the Senate is particularly worthy of inclusion in H.R. 14597. I am referring to the amendment to create a National Commission on the Olympic Games. Such a Commission would be authorized to review all aspects of U.S. participation in future Olympic Games. The judging of the Games must be fair, impartial and non-political if the Olympic ideal is to be promulgated. Most Americans who saw the Munich Games on television were outraged at some of the decisions, and I believe a Commission could serve an extremely useful purpose in recommending how American participation should be organized and managed.

In short, Mr. Chairman, federal participation would not only assure the success of the games from the athletic standpoint, it would also assure their success from the environmental standpoint, from the standpoint of attracting international visitors to our bicentennial celebration, and from the standpoint of projecting a favorable impression of the United States to the world. I strongly urge affirmative action on H.R. 14597 subject to the desires of the voters of Colorado to host the XII Winter Olympiad.

Mr. TAYLOR. Our next witness is our colleague. Ralph H. Metcalfe. I might state that Mr. Metcalfe was an Olympic teammate of Jesse Owens in Berlin in 1936.

Ralph, I thought that your address on the House floor recently when the American Olympic team was present was outstanding. And I know of your enthusiastic support for our Olympic efforts.

Please proceed.

STATEMENT OF HON. RALPH H. METCALFE, A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM THE FIRST CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS

Mr. METCALFE. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

If you will indulge me, I would like to further identify myself by indicating that I was a member of the 1932 Olympic games in Los Angeles, and the 1936 Olympic games in Berlin. I am presently a member of the U.S. Olympic Committee, and I am the chairman in the State of Illinois for fund raising for the Olympic Committee. 1 would now like to go to my prepared statement.

Mr. TAYLOR. I might state that I was at one time captain of a college track team, and I had great ambitions of being good enough to be on the Olympic team. But I lacked a lot of going that far.

Mr. METCALFE. Fine. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. Chairman and distinguished members of this subcommittee, it is a pleasure for me to be here this morning. As many of you know, I had the honor of being a guest of the German Government at the Olympic games which were just completed a few weeks ago. Regrettably, the tragic deaths of the 11 Israeli Olympians cast a grave cloud over the games; however, even a dastardly act as this cannot squelch the humanism and internationalism of the Olympic games. The goodness and decency exemplified by the Olympic games can be shared firsthand by the thousands of Americans who plan on attending the Winter Olympic games in 1976. The Winter Olympic games would be a significant part of the bicentennial celebration, and the potential benefit to our country would be substantial.