Washington, D.C. – The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee today approved the nomination of Sue Ellen Wooldridge as Solicitor at the Department of the Interior and two bills, S. 1910 and H.R. 620. The committee approved all three matters by unanimous consent during an 11:30 a.m. business meeting this morning in SD-366. S. 1910: directs the Secretary of Agriculture to carry out an inventory and management program for forests derived from public domain land. H.R. 620 as amended: authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to provide supplemental funding and other services that are necessary to assist the State of California of local educational agencies in California in providing educational services for students attending schools located within the Park. An amendment in the nature of a substitute was added, offered by Senators Feinstein and Thomas, which authorizes the secretary to purchase from a willing seller approximately 4,000 acres and adjust the boundary of Golden Gate NRA accordingly. A second degree amendment in the nature of a substitute to H.R. 620 was offered by Senator Bingaman, which would require the Secretary of the Interior to certify to Congress, prior to transferring any funds to the schools, that the funds proposed to be transferred are excess to the needs of the National Park Service for the operation and management of Yosemite National Park, and that the transfer will not impair the ability of the National Park Service to carry out its responsibilities at the park, including protecting park resources and providing appropriate visitor services. The second degree amendment failed by a roll call vote of 11 to 12. ###