Earl Blumenauer

Mr. BLUMENAUER

Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Chairman, I strongly support the amendment by the gentleman from Washington. I could not agree more with his words that are still echoing in this Chamber, that this is not to punish any single company. Indeed, I am concerned about the tenor here that sort of makes a cartoon process out of rules and regulations that a number of responsible timber owners in the Northwest are working with us to try and deal with the issues of environmental protection. It is not about a handful of small property owners, as has been repeatedly documented throughout the course of this conversation. It is, rather, for the overwhelming benefit of the single large property owner. It is not about using a process against somebody. This is what other companies are, in fact, doing. They have learned to use abitat protection plans and, in fact, even light-end timber companies are, in fact, advertising that point to their customers throughout the Northwest. To observe that there is no science involved when, in fact, what we are giving is a political fix to solve the problem primarily of one large owner really stretches credibility here in this regard. If we adopt this approach, what we are suggesting to people is, rather than working in a cooperative fashion under the framework of the law, seek a political fix. Rather than working with the Government, with other landowners, with environmentally concerned citizens, seek a political fix. And if this political fix fails and, in fact, it goes through the progression of increased requirements for protection, what we will, in fact, have ended up doing is putting an even greater burden on the responsible private owners who have been playing by the rules because they are going to have to pick up the slack if it fails. This Riggs proposal is a blow against cooperation and voluntary compliance. It sends the message to go to Congress to circumvent the laws. It is the wrong message to business. It is the wrong message to the environment, and it suggests that we are turning our backs on people who are committed to keep and improve our environmental protections.

Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of words.

Mr. BLUMENAUER

Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, I am saddened that my first appearance before this body is on the occasion of such a hateful event. I think we all had hoped that this was behind us. But I am heartened by the attitude and tone of love and reconciliation that one hears this evening. I find I must join with the words of my colleague from Georgia. We pray that we are aware of this terror as we go about our business, remembering the power of words and the power of reconciliation, because I think if we remember this somber, yet hopeful moment, as we go about the rest of our business on behalf of the people, that this hateful act of racial intolerance and bigotry will help us do our job better for the American people.

Mr. BLUMENAUER

Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues for their kind words. I am honored to be able to join my colleagues and looking forward to working with them in advancing the tradition of the House. I am greatly appreciative of the help of Representative DeFazio, Representative Furse, Senator Hatfield, and Senator Wyden, and others from the Oregon delegation in terms of making the transaction work for me, and I am looking forward to working with all my colleagues to protect the environment and leave this country a little better for our children.