SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHTS

Rep. Young continues his strong support for Gun Owner Rights

     Reflecting his strong support of second amendment rights, Rep. Young supports legislation such as H.R. 492 "The Right to Safety and Personal Protection Act of 1999" which establishes a national standard for the carrying of concealed firearms. Rep. Young is also a cosponsor of H.R. 347 which is legislation to protect the rights of Americans to obtain firearms for security, to use firearms in defense of self, family, or home, and to provide for the enforcement of such a right.

     Currently, states have an estimated 22,000 gun control statutes which regulate, tax and prevent persons from purchasing or owning firearms.

     The fundamental goals of these pieces of legislation are to fight against the overly eager efforts of those in the federal government who seek to regulate, tax, and prohibit various kinds of personal gun ownership and use. Current lawful gun owners are under attack by this Administration's attempts to prevent lawful gun ownership as specified in the Constitution.

RESOURCES

Alaska Wildlife Communities to Benefit From Landmark Revenue Sharing Proposal - Conservation Reinvestment Act (HR 701)

     Recently, the House Resource Committee conducted a Congressional hearing in Anchorage on legislation I've introduced which will be the basis for the most comprehensive conservation legislation in more than a decade.

     "The Conservation and Reinvestment Act of 1999" (H.R. 701) is legislation I introduced along the Reps. John Dingell (D-MI), Billy Tauzen (R-LA) and others. H.R. 701 will share Federal Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) revenues with impacted states - like Alaska - and support national conservation and wildlife education programs in all 50 states. Without creating any new taxes, the "Conservation and Reinvestment Act" (CARA) will provide substantial increases in wildlife and land conservation funding by reinvesting OCS revenues into programs in all 50 states as well as funding to states which are impacted by OCS development.

     This bipartisan legislation how has 72 co-sponsors - 36 Republicans and 36 Democrats. The funding concepts of the bill have been endorsed by the National Governors Association, the National Association of Counties, the U.S. Conference of Mayors and numerous hunting, fishing and conservation organizations.

     If CARA is enacted into law, in Fiscal Year 2000, Alaska would receive:

• $110 million in direct funding to the State of Alaska for impact assistance

• $ 16 million for State Land and Water Conservation Fund projects

• $ 23 million to be allocated to State wildlife conservation programs and education

     In comparison, in FY 1996, Alaska received $8.4 million for wildlife conservation programs but no funding for state Land and Water Conservation Fund projects. Some of the past projects funded by the State of Alaska under the Land and Water Conservation Fund include:

• Alaskaland in Fairbanks

• Harborview Park in Ketchikan

• The Coastal Trail in Anchorage

CARA Benefits All States

     There are two extremely important reasons why I believe the CARA legislation is needed. First, it would redistribute revenue from OCS oil and gas development to the "host" states. Currently, "host" states receive none of the revenues from OCS activity off their coasts. CARA resolves this inequity.

     Second, because the OCS revenue comes from the extraction of nonrenewable resources, it is important that this revenue should be invested into renewable resources of conservation for our coast communities.

     Whether you are an urban or rural resident of any state, CARA will benefit you. CARA provides funding for urban parks and recreational facilities, like hockey rinks and ball fields. It provides funds for increased recreational activities from hunting and fishing to bird watching in conservation areas.

(con't pg 4)