Greg Walden

Mr. WALDEN of Oregon

Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the gentleman's work on this issue, and I realize that the last Congress did not get it done. I complained about that at the time and tried everything I could to get it reauthorized. It passed out of the Resources Committee, as you know, and then did not make any progress in either Chamber. It has been a very difficult, uphill battle across the board to educate all of our Members about how we have got to solve this problem. If you remember the Kim family, who were tragically lost in Josephine County last year and Mr. Kim was later found dead, it is that county that just eliminated all sheriff's patrols. So I am not here to point blame at anybody. You have been terrific in helping us in this 1-year extension. I am just saying thank you, but the big job remains because this problem does not go away.

Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, it saddens me that once again I have to remind my colleagues of the current emergency occurring in my district and throughout many counties in the rural West all because the Federal Government has violated its promise to America's forested communities. Here I have the front page of the May 17 edition of the Grants Pass Daily Courier in Josephine County. Notice the photo. It is a banner that says ``Sheriff Out of Service.'' ``Service jobs slash 42 sheriff's deputies, 28 juvenile correctional officers among those laid off. Medical rescue help may be delayed.'' The last 3 years Congressman DeFazio and I have been warning the Congress that these are the things that are going to happen out in our part of the world if we don't fix for the long term the county payments issue. In Jackson County, the most populated area of my district, all 15 public libraries have closed. Now, the underlying bill has a 1-year fix for this. It is an emergency bridge, and for that we are indeed thankful and appreciative. But the problem continues. The 1 year does not give enough assurance to the financially strapped rural communities to restore the hundreds of jobs and countless public safety services that have already been compromised by Congress's failure to have a long-term solution. As the Medford Mail Tribune editorialized today, ``Josephine County has laid off 42 sheriff's deputies, ended patrols, and virtually shut down its jail. Curry County,'' in Congressman DeFazio's district, ``which has lost 68 percent of its general fund, also has no sheriff's patrols and has asked the National Guard to provide security for coastal residents. Jackson County closed its libraries and plans to lay off nine sheriff's deputies, road workers, and other employees for a total of 172 positions. ``There are those in Washington, D.C.,'' the paper writes, ``who will paint the 1-year extension as a great day for rural counties. Meanwhile, back here in Mudville, there is little joy.'' So I sent to the Rules Committee this morning two amendments that would have extended the emergency funding for years, not months. The first amendment was identical to that passed by a 75-22 vote in the Senate with complete offsets for a 5-year extension. The second amendment I submitted would have extended the emergency funding in the emergency supplemental bill for 2 years, not 1, without increasing the overall cost of the bill or changing the funding distribution formula. Unfortunately, both of those amendments were denied along party lines. The work to secure a long-term extension and reauthorization of these funds must continue. I will not give up. I will not quit. I will not rest. The Congress will be forced to address this issue over and over and over again until we reach agreement on a long-term solution for the forested counties and keep the government's commitment. My good friend and colleague Congressman DeFazio and I sent a letter, which I would like to put in the Record, on May 17 to the emergency supplemental conferees, which was signed by more than 90 Members of our Congress, 74 of which were the Democrat Party, asking that a 5-year solution be included in the emergency supplemental. Many conversations with Speaker Pelosi and Leader Boehner have made them aware of this emergency, as has a recent Presidential meeting that I had with Senator Wyden. We appreciate all the support for seeking a long-term solution and will be relying on all of us to get this done. My colleagues, though, we cannot wait any longer. More to the point, the people of America's forested communities cannot wait any longer. We need to act for a long-term solution. Congress of the United States, House of Representatives, Washington, DC, May 17, 2007. Hon. David Obey, Chairman, Committee on Appropriations, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Hon. Robert C. Byrd, Chairman, Committee on Appropriations, U.S. Senate, Washington, DC. Hon. Jerry Lewis, Ranking Member, Committee on Appropriations, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Hon. Thad Cochran, Ranking Member, Committee on Appropriations, U.S. Senate, Washington, DC. Dear Chairman Obey, Chairman Byrd, Congressman Lewis and Senator Cochran: As you conference on the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations bill for FY 2007 (Supplemental) to fund vital government programs, we urge you to support the Senate passed language to reauthorize and fully fund the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 (P.L. 106-393) and the Payment in Lieu of Taxes program (PILT). The Senate language was passed by an overwhelming vote, and identifies offsets. P.L. 106-393 expired at the end of September 2006 endangering the loss of payments to over 600 counties and 4400 school districts in 39 states. In addition to reauthorizing the Secure Rural Schools program, the Senate passed language would further benefit these rural communities by fully funding, for the first time, the Payment in Lieu of Taxes program, which provides general funds to 49 states. Rural communities have relied on these programs to provide stable funding for rural schools. health care, law enforcement and other critical programs. The elimination of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self Determination Act would default on the 100 year old federal commitment to our rural communities that depend on these payments to keep their communities strong and stable. Fully funding PILT, for the first time ever, would provide much needed economic stability for the rural communities that support our public lands. Please support the Senate passed reauthorization language of P.L. 106-393 and full funding for PILT. Sincerely, Peter DeFazio, Don Young, Chris Van Hollen, Charles Wilson, Leonard Boswell, G.K. Butterfield, Pete Stark, Earl Pomeroy, Jon Porter, Timothy J. Walz; Eddie Bernice Johnson, Neil Abercrombie, Collin Peterson, Peter Welch, Carol Shea-Porter, Rick Boucher, Shelley Moore Capito, Lois Capps, John Conyers, Henry Cuellar; Lincoln Davis, John Doolittle, Gabrielle Giffords, Raul Grijalva, Baron Hill, Steve Kagen, Ron Kind, Dan Lungren, Jim Matheson, Jim Marshall; Michael Michaud, Brad Miller, Grace Napolitano, Devin Nunes, Solomon Ortiz, Ted Poe, Vic Snyder, John Spratt, Gene Taylor, Bennie G. Thompson; Buck McKeon, James L. Oberstar, Ed Perlmutter, Nick Rahall, David G. Reichert, John T. Salazar, Cathy McMorris Rogers, Steve Pearce, George P. Radanovich, Rick Renzi; Mike Ross, Bill Sali, Bob Filner, Louie Gohmert, Doc Hastings, Wally Herger, Jay Inslee, Rick Larson, Doris O. Matsui, Barney Frank; Phil Hare, Alcee L. Hastings, Darlene Hooley, Sheila Jackson Lee, David Loebsack, Jim McDermott, Michael Arcuri, Brian Baird, Shelley Berkley, Bruce L. Braley; Dennis Cardoza, Lincoln Davis, Jo Ann Emerson, Joe Baca, Joe Barton, Earl Blumenauer, Corrine Brown, Donna M. Christian-Christensen, Diana DeGette, Bob Etheridge; Linda Sanchez, Mike Simpson, Betty Sutton, Mike Thompson, Greg Walden David Wu, Heath Shuler, Bart Stupak, Ellen Tauscher, Mark Udall, Maxine Waters, Members of Congress.

Mr. WALDEN of Oregon

Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a great American, a dedicated Oregonian, and a tremendous public servant: former Deschutes County Sheriff Les Stiles. Sheriff Stiles retired last month, and tomorrow night his many years of achievements on behalf of the residents of Central Oregon will be celebrated at a public event in Bend, OR. Sheriff Stiles dedicated his career to keeping the city of Bend and Deschutes County a safe and desirable place to live and visit. quit Sheriff Stiles has always exuded an interest in public policy and making our communities better and safer. His commitment to our country dates back to his service with the U.S. Army where he was commissioned as a second lieutenant with the Corps of Engineers. Les also served with the U.S. Army Reserves as a captain in the infantry from 1968 until 1974. After serving in defense of the United States of America, Les turned toward educational pursuits that would provide him with the knowledge that, complemented with his life experience, would ultimately allow him to better serve the citizens of Oregon. In 1974, Les received a bachelor's degree in English from Illinois State University. From there, he went on to earn a masters degree in public administration from the University of Northern Colorado. In 1982, Les focused exclusively on law enforcement and completed the grueling training session at the FBI National Academy's 128th session. Madam Speaker, this was not the end of the sheriff's commitment to education. Later in life he graduated from the National Sheriffs Institute and in 2005 he graduated from the FBI Executive Leadership Program. He spent 15 years teaching at Central Oregon Community College and was always willing to address a community group on a pending issue. Madam Speaker, the city of Bend, OR, received great fortune when Les and his family moved to the beautiful central Oregon region after his training at the FBI Academy. During 25 years of law enforcement in central Oregon, Les served first as a patrolman, eventually as Bend's chief of police, and ultimately as the sheriff of Deschutes County. Sheriff Stiles has been a strong advocate in combating the scourge of methamphetamine and its devastating impact on communities across the country. Sheriff Stiles quickly recognized the significant harm and damage this terrible poison inflicts on families and communities and was a real leader in bringing the problems associated with methamphetamine use to the forefront and attention of the general public. He's been diligent in his efforts to get this deadly drug off the streets, a vocal proponent and promoter of prevention efforts, and tireless in his efforts to support and promote treatment programs for those in desperate need of help. My colleagues, when Les Stiles took office as the sheriff of Deschutes County, he inherited quite a mess. His predecessor pled guilty to Federal charges of embezzlement. Under Les's leadership, the county made great progress in correcting the problems of the past. Sheriff Stiles helped restore public trust and once again brought honor to the position of sheriff. He restored fiscal restraint and helped stabilize funding for a department that otherwise would have lost significant public services this past year. Today I illustrate but a few of the tremendous successes Sheriff Stiles achieved over a long and distinguished career. I appreciate my colleagues joining me in thanking Sheriff Stiles for all he's done on behalf of the people of Deschutes County, the Second Congressional District and the great State of Oregon. I wish him and his wife, Carol, many good days ahead with their family, complete with many hours of good fishing for the sheriff.

Mr. WALDEN of Oregon

Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. I thank the chairman. I want to thank the gentleman from California for bringing this amendment. This is the newspaper from the largest county in my district. This is the April 7 edition. All 15 branches of the library system in Jackson County closed the day before because the Congress did not keep its commitment dating back 100 years. Yesterday afternoon, after the local counties tried to pass resolutions to fund these services, make up for the lost Federal funding that has been there for 100 years, the county workers in virtually every county, I will pick on Josephine right here, got together to get their pink slips. The county workers, dedicated public servants, laid off their jobs; 28 juvenile justice employees in Josephine County, gone; 11 in the District Attorney's Office, gone; half the sheriff's office, gone. There will be no sheriff's patrols, period, end of discussion. You all are familiar with the case of the Kim family that was lost, devastatingly so in the Federal forest of Oregon last winter, and Mr. Kim died. This is the county. This is the county where these sheriffs' deputies and others tried to find and rescue them. Because the government isn't keeping its commitment, no sheriff's patrol, period; 1642 square miles will have no sheriff's patrol. Sheriff Gilbertson is beside himself. He has to meet the State mandates to keep the jail open, but they are going to end up going from 140 beds to 30 beds. Senator Wyden and I were at the White House today passionately making our case to the President to help us on this. This Congress needs to help us on this. We are extraordinarily frustrated, as you can tell, by Mr. Doolittle and others, that even though I supported this housing trust fund, if we've got money we ought to take care of these commitments first so the Federal Government keeps its word, so we can reopen libraries so we can have search and rescue and sheriffs' deputies out on patrol, not only in my counties, but out in the west.

Mr. WALDEN of Oregon

Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Madam Speaker, today in Geneva, Switzerland the 60th annual meeting will commence of the World Health Assembly, the supreme decision making body of the World Health Organization. This year the government of Taiwan is applying for membership to the WHO and Taiwan has been applying to participate in the activities of the WHO since 1997 but they have been rejected due to various political pressures. I think it's important that Taiwan be granted membership in the WHO. Taiwan is struggling to participate in the WHO not only for the sake of its 23 million citizens but also for the welfare of the 1.3 billion people in mainland China. With expansion of travel and trade between Taiwan and mainland China, contagious diseases can spread rapidly. Successful monitoring and prevention of infectious diseases requires cooperation from all nations. Taiwan has a modern, world-class health care system and has lent its talents and resources to peoples in need throughout Asia and around the world. Such capabilities are particularly important in this era of globalization, and as apprehensions continue to grow about the emergence of dangerous illnesses such as SARS and the Avian Flu. For example, when the Avian Flu pandemic struck parts of Asia in 2004, Taiwan undertook a number of preventive measures to combat the outbreak and protect its population and those of other countries. As a result of this swift and innovative work, Taiwan has not experienced an outbreak of the avian influenza and has deterred its proliferation elsewhere. The WHO plays a critical role in safeguarding and improving the health of the world population, and I support its admirable record of achievement as a guardian of international health. A glaring deficiency in the WHO's global program, however, is the fact that the 23 million people of democratic Taiwan are not allowed to contribute to, participate in, or benefit from its important initiatives. I urge my colleagues to join me in my support of Taiwan's bid for membership in the World Health Organization. For the sake of Taiwan's citizens as well as their neighbors and partners in Asia and around the world, granting membership is the wise and equitable thing to do.

Mr. WALDEN of Oregon

Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. I thank the ranking member of the committee, my friend and colleague from California. Mr. Speaker, tonight I must rise to strongly urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to help us deal with a very real emergency in the West and across the country by supporting this measure to fund rural schools and roads, and to help make sure that our farmers and ranchers and those who fish get the disaster aid that they have needed for some time. And I have to forcefully disagree with the statement of administration policy issued by this administration which threatens a Presidential veto. To say that the closing of jails and schools and libraries, as is occurring right now in my district and in others, is not somehow an emergency is to simply ignore the reality of what is happening in the rural West. It is outrageous. Enough is enough. First, the Federal courts and the government shut down the timber industry and timber harvest on Federal lands and took away our jobs in rural communities. Then the Federal Government quit effectively managing those forests. And last year, we again paid the price with 10 million acres of Federal land that burned at a cost of a billion and a half for taxpayers to extinguish those fires. But it gets worse. The Federal Government has failed to replant a million acres of Federal forest lands, America's forest lands that have burned over the years. And now it has broken a hundred-year promise to the rural communities who used to depend on the revenues from these forests that now aren't even managed. And now the President threatens to veto this emergency funding bill designed to pay for firefighting, designed to pay for fishermen whose season was shut down last year, and to pay for keeping schools open and jails open and roads open, and providing disaster aid to farmers and ranchers. If we don't do this advanced funding for firefighting, they will dip into the accounts of the Forest Service and they won't do the very kind of work that needs to be done in the forest to prevent these kind of catastrophic fires that we are seeing over and over and over again. It is the same process that we decry is occurring in the military if we don't properly fund our troops. They will rip into these accounts. They will cancel the contracts, and they will set us behind. That is what happened to the Forest Service. Enough is enough. The President should not veto this bill, and this Congress should pass it.

Mr. WALDEN of Oregon

Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Madam Speaker, I rise today to draw your and my fellow colleagues' attention to a tremendous and especially unique educational effort underway at Columbia Gorge Community College in Wasco and Hood River counties, Oregon and to single out the highly effective leadership of The Dalles- Wasco County Community Outreach Team. This gorgeous area of Oregon benefits from some of the most dedicated and determined local leaders in the country. The Dalles-Wasco County Community Outreach Team provides an outstanding model of local government cooperation and their efforts, in conjunction with Columbia Gorge Community College, have had a very positive impact on the Columbia River Gorge economy. The Community Outreach Team's members band together at all levels of city and county leadership and work in synchronized fashion to both tout the benefits provided in their region and echo with one clear voice the ways government at all levels can better work together and deliver favorable results to local residents and employers and the large number of visitors who flock to this picturesque area. The rural nursing program at Columbia Gorge Community College is hailed as a state and national model of instruction delivery in a rural region and has added to the College's clout as a premier center of learning and training in the West. Another feather in the cap of Columbia Gorge Community College is their renewable energy training program. The Pacific Northwest is witnessing unprecedented, rapid growth of renewable energy and Columbia Gorge Community College, in cooperation with its renewable energy industry and workforce partners, has initiated and deployed the first renewable energy program on the West Coast that offers wind energy technician training. As the co-chair of the bipartisan House Renewable Energy Caucus, I'm very proud of the College's national leadership on this front. The renewable energy program at Columbia Gorge Community College will be sustained through the same highly successful industry partnership model as developed by the College's nursing program. The development of renewable energy contributes to our Nation's security by lessening reliance on imported fossil fuels, and its development substantially reduces the impact of fossil fuels on the important issue of climate change. Workforce training is an essential element of renewable energy expansion, and Columbia Gorge Community College is blazing trails on this exciting new front. My colleagues, I ask you to join me in commending Columbia Gorge Community College and its industry and workforce partners for establishing the first program on the West Coast for renewable energy that offers wind energy technician training. They're providing outstanding results, and it's my honor to represent in the United States House of Representatives such dedicated local leaders.

Mr. WALDEN of Oregon

Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the 10 talented men and women being inducted into the Medford Sports Hall of Fame on April 28, 2007, at the Skyline Plaza in Medford, OR. The Medford Sports Hall of Fame was established to ensure that local athletes, coaches, and contributors would be rightfully recognized for their significant support of athletics in southern Oregon both on and off the field. Today, I would like to share some of the stories that depict the inductees' illustrious athletic achievements.

Mr. WALDEN of Oregon

Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. I think as spelled out in this motion to recommit, the gentleman is correct.

Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I offer a motion to recommit.

Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. At this time in its present form I am.

Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I want to first commend the gentleman from Minnesota. He has a tough job; he has done it well on this committee. I have enjoyed my work over the years on issues where we have agreed. I bring this motion to recommit to the floor for a couple of reasons. The first deals with the issue of global warming and America's energy independence. I was appointed recently to the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming. We have had a lot of hearings there and in the Energy and Commerce Committee and in the Energy and Air Quality Subcommittee about how do we make America both energy independent and reduce our carbon emissions and greenhouse gas emissions. Obviously, coming from the Pacific Northwest, we are blessed in that a large percentage of our electrical generation comes from these large hydropower projects. Hydropower for America means no greenhouse gas emissions, virtually, virtually none. I suppose you could say there is some in the creation of the cement that goes into the concrete that makes up the dams, but once they are built, they are 90 percent efficient and no carbon emissions. So, obviously, there is discussion out there in the courts and elsewhere about reducing hydropower by eliminating dams. I think it would help us in our work, in both the Select Committee on Energy and Independence, and on global warming, to know what the impacts are and if you remove the hydropower system in any course or place, what the impacts on domestic energy cost to consumers would be; what would the need be to import more energy as replacement, because obviously that is one of the issues that we look at. If you take out a particular power generation capacity, and especially one that is 90 percent efficient and doesn't emit green house gases, then what's the carbon footprint for the replacement power? We would look at that and call for a report on the types of fossil- based fuels or other energy sources, perhaps including clean nuclear, to replace this power that would likely be utilized. In addition, we ask for a report on maintenance of the lock system as well, which is extraordinarily important. I want to point out that in 2004 alone, more than 160 million tons of carbon emissions were avoided in the United States when 268 million megawatt hours of hydroelectricity were generated. Hydropower offsets more carbon emissions than all other renewable energy sources combined. If they were to be removed, the dams in the Northwest, it would take six and a half 500-megawatt coal-fired plants to replace the energy generated, not that anybody is talking about replacing them all. That, though, would increase CO2 emissions by 47.4 billion pounds, 47.4 billion pounds. Let's look at this in replacement of shipping terms, if we don't take care of locks. In the Columbia and Snake River system, certainly in the Columbia River, certainly at John Day, there are issues about these antiquated locks that are having real maintenance needs, and yet we lack funding in some cases to deal with it. A tow of four 3,500-ton grain barges equates to 400 trucks each at 400 horsepower. For example Tidewater Barge Company, a single example, Tidewater ships about 6 million tons up and down the Columbia River each year. These 6 million tons would require 171,200 trucks if the barging capability was removed. Over 171,000 trucks. So you can see why I am concerned about lock maintenance and the need to continue down that path. This motion to recommit would do that. I yield to the gentleman from Louisiana.

Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Certainly anything that would be required here, because it does require the Corps to inventory, develop and maintain all lands, properties, et cetera, for the potential of producing hydropower. Obviously, though, we waive no environmental laws. Anything that would be authorized or result or interpreted that way from this language would require appropriation. There would be all the reviews that are required for any other law. I urge support of the motion to recommit.

Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. WALDEN of Oregon

Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a dear friend and an exceptional community leader who tragically passed away in February of this year, Mr. Dennis ``Denny'' Maloney. Today Denny's friends, family and colleagues gather in Deschutes County, Oregon to celebrate his life with the dedication of the new ``Dennis Maloney Community Justice Center.'' This is a fitting tribute to a man who gave so generously of his time and his talents throughout a distinguished career in service to others. My colleagues, Denny Maloney was born on March 20, 1951 in Green Bay, Wisconsin, to Patrick and Carol Maloney. Denny graduated with honors from the University of Wisconsin, where he studied humanities. It was in Minnesota where Denny would acknowledge his most significant achievement occurred. It is there that he met and married his lovely wife, Nancy. Together, they raised five outstanding daughters, Tracy, Shannon, Caitlin, Kelly and Molly. Those who knew Denny knew not only a man with a strong sense of civic commitment, but a father and husband with tremendous devotion and commitment to his family. Madam Speaker, those of us in Oregon, especially communities in central Oregon, are so fortunate that Denny's upbringing and education instilled in him the drive and desire to make the world a better place. He led by example, and remarkable results followed. Denny was a longtime advocate for troubled youth and was a nationally recognized expert and innovator on the subject of juvenile rehabilitation. Madam Speaker, Denny didn't believe in giving up on someone. He saw the inherent good in humanity and in the people he met, and he devoted his life to giving people a second chance. Denny worked to ensure that troubled youth received mentoring and counseling, while demonstrating the significant value of being an upstanding member of society and a real contributor within one's community. Simply put, Denny Maloney positively changed the lives of many of his fellow citizens. During his lifetime, Denny amassed over 30 years of experience in the field of community corrections. For 16 years, he served as the Director of the Deschutes County Department of Community Justice in my home state of Oregon. There, he initiated a variety of juvenile and adult corrections programs that are globally renowned. He wrote extensively about the methods he developed and the positive impact of his programs is evident not only across our nation but in the international community as well. Nearly 30 states restructured their entire juvenile justice systems based on Denny's presentation on restorative justice. Additionally, the U.S. Department of State has distributed information based on Denny's juvenile justice research to over 250 countries and his methods are being used worldwide as a foundation for justice system reform. Madam Speaker, during his phenomenal career of contributions, Denny Maloney generously shared his experience and his expertise with others. The work that he did improved the lives of countless people across our country, and I'm grateful to have known him. While his services and accomplishments speak volumes, perhaps most importantly, Denny Maloney inspired all who knew him to do more to help those in need and to improve the quality of life for all citizens. He always wore an infectious smile, and he encouraged us to keep a positive attitude in our work and throughout our daily lives. He was a good friend and trusted counselor to me and to many others. We will all miss his wisdom, wit, enthusiasm and ability, and we will never forget the mark he left in our communities and in our hearts.

Mr. WALDEN of Oregon

Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, colleagues, today we memorialize and remember the events of more than 50 years ago when the gates closed for the first time on the Dalles Dam, and within 6 hours another wild and noisy stretch of the mighty Columbia River fell silent and serene in the name of progress. Celilo Falls was also known as Wyam, which means echo of falling water, or sound of water upon the rocks. And, indeed, what a sound it must have been to hear the fourth largest river in America as it crashed over basalt rocks and cliffs. Lewis and Clark's journals refer to the falls as a place where ``the river turned on edge.'' This photograph here to my left is actually one my father took as a colorized slide before the falls was inundated. It shows the tribal members fishing from these wooden platforms, roped to the edge with ropes around their waist. They would spread sand out on the platforms because all the water made the platforms so slick, and then they would engage with the dip nets to hoist 40-pound, 50-pound, 60-pound salmon out of the river. The trick was not to get more than two fish in your net because that might be more than you weighed, and you ran the risk of being dragged into the river. Indeed, there was a young man who fell in the river, and later was rescued and saved because he ended up in a net and was able to be pulled out. What a river it was and what a river it is. As the Columbia River passed over these falls, the sound could be heard from miles away. During periods of high water, nearly 1 million cubic feet of water per second would pass over these falls. Now, let me put that in comparison: Niagara Falls in New York, 200,000 cubic feet of water passes over those falls. A million would have passed over these. But it wasn't just these falls, because you see the basalt rapids continued on toward the Dalles for 11 miles. So not only were there these falls, but there were other rapids and falls along the way. And it was more than just a roaring falls or an historic and bountiful fishing area. It was, as some historians noted, ``the Wall Street of the West.'' In his book, ``The Columbia River Salmon and Steelhead Trout, Their Fight for Survival,'' author Anthony Netboy described the scene this way: ``Here came Indians from the interior who had no fishing grounds of their own or whose fishing was poor, to trade for dried salmon, offering peltries from Montana, jade axes from the Fraser River area, horn of mountain sheep, baskets, rabbit or bearskins. The Klamath and Modoc peoples from Klamath Lake brought slaves and dentalia shells, their medium of exchange. Trade connections with the Dalles, says the anthropologist Philip Drucker, in `Cultures of the North Pacific Coast,' stretched across the Rockies and into the Great Plains.'' This was one of the most significant fisheries of the Columbia River. In ``Recalling Celilo,'' author Elizabeth Woody writes: ``Historically, the Wyampum lived at Wyam for over 12,000 years. Estimates vary, but Wyam is among the longest continuously inhabited communities in North America. The elders tell us we have been here from time immemorial. ``Today we know Celilo Falls as a lost landmark. It was a place as revered as one's own mother.'' Woody goes on to write: ``What happened at Wyam was more significant than entertainment. During the day, women cleaned large amounts of finely cut fish and hung the parts to dry in the heat of the arid landscape. So abundant were the fish passing Wyam on their upriver journey that the fish caught there could feed a whole family through the winter. Many families had enough salmon to trade with other tribes or individuals for specialty items. ``No one would starve if they could work. Even those incapable of physical work could share other talents. It was a dignified existence.'' The tribes called themselves ``salmon people.'' And it is easy to understand why. In 1805, Lewis and Clark estimated seeing five tons of dried salmon stacked in a single village near the Dalles. The dawn of the 20th century brought change to the area with the construction in 1913 of the Dalles-Celilo Canal, providing the first safe passage around the falls. Then in the 1930s and 1940s, more pressures built as down-river communities suffered from floods, river traffic increased, and a Nation at war needed more electricity to power its industry. In 1950, Congress authorized the construction of the Dalles Dam, and on March 10, 1957, the gates of this river-blocker closed and within hours, silence overtook Celilo Falls, Wyam and the way of life known for centuries. Now, plans for construction of the dam were battled by Chief Tommy Thompson as he and the tribal members knew that the end of the falls would mean the end of life as they had known it. But they could not stop the effort. Their village was relocated. The government paid tribal members in one-time sums of nearly $4,000, and promised sustained fisheries and access to new fishing sites. Layfee Foster, of the Dalles, took this famous photograph of Chief Tommy Thompson and his wife, Flora, and their granddaughter, Linda George, whom I met at the ceremony at Celilo Falls last month. I would like to read from Mr. Netboy's book again, as he eloquently states the last of the first salmon rites that were held in April of 1956. He writes: ``On Sunday, April 20, 1956, when the Dalles Dam was about to be enclosed and the Celilo fishery, dating back to a long forgotten time would be inundated, I witnessed the last of the first salmon rites at Celilo village. The day was warm and sunny, and hundreds of tribesmen gathered for this sad occasion on the banks of the Columbia, the women wearing multi-colored flowing dresses and scarves, and the men awkward- fitting store clothes. Emissaries of Tommy Thompson, chief of the host band, the Wyams, said to be over 100 years old, had to seek elsewhere than the Columbia for salmon because an early spring thaw in the mountains made it impossible to use the historic site to catch enough fish for the festival. They bought 400 pounds of salmon in Portland, and members of Warm Springs Reservation who had fishing rights at Celilo helped out with donations of venison and roots for the occasion. ``The stolid, bronze-colored chief sat at the head table in the longhouse, surrounded by silent and respectful tribesmen squatting on mats on the earthen floor. Outside, slabs of salmon were being smoked over log fires tended by women, just as when Lewis and Clark camped here in 1805 and smoked a pipe of peace with the chief. ``Chief Thompson blessed the first fish caught a few days before and made a speech in his native language that was charged with emotion. Before it was over, the vigorous old man was weeping. Although I did not understand a word, I could imagine the feelings that inspired him as he saw the last bit of land held by the tribe about to go underwater and the ancient picturesque fishery disappear. He had seen the white settlers pour into the valley, and the baleful impact they made on the natives' culture. The churning river where he had fished as a youth, from rickety platforms, would become a placid lake. There were tears in the eyes of many who listened to him. ``When the First Salmon rites were concluded, the chief permitted newsmen to photograph him with his younger wife, Flora. Usually the festival lasted a few days, but this time it was confined to one. There were bone games in the afternoon and dances in the evening. The next morning the Portland Oregonian reported an interview with Henry Thompson, son of the chief, who said, and I quote, `When the dam is finished and there are no more fish at Celilo, my father will still live here and will die here. I too will die here. Both of us were born at Celilo, and here,' pointing to the Indian cemetery on a bluff of the village, `amid the rimrock, we will be buried.' ``Tommy Thompson died 3 years later, and without him, without the roaring falls, and with salmon caught elsewhere, the First Salmon ceremonies held occasionally at the new Celilo village built by the Corps of Engineers on the bluff lost their flavor and meaning and were eventually abandoned.'' Today the Dalles Dam employs 150 people, generates enough electricity to power two cities the size of Portland, Oregon, helps control run-off in the spring. The power it produces makes no carbon emissions and is 90 percent efficient. Today the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is rehabilitating the Celilo village, spending $13 million to build a new sewer plant, new houses, a playground, school and update the water and electrical system. A new longhouse was completed last year. Today we memorialize the situation at Celilo, the loss of that great falls and the work that remains ahead.

Mr. WALDEN of Oregon

Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, the failure of Congress to reauthorize the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act will have an extensive and extreme impact on more than 1,800 local governments that receive ``Payments in Lieu of Taxes'' funds, also known as PILT. The loss of the county payments program means these counties can now apply for the limited PILT fund, thus reducing funds to counties reliant on PILT, and many counties will see a 20 percent reduction. For Malheur County, Oregon, which is nearly 10,000 square miles and is 72 percent under Federal ownership and is larger than the States of Vermont, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Connecticut, Delaware and Rhode Island, it can mean real problems. As we all know, rapid response for emergency services is a life-and- death issue. In many areas of Malheur County, it can take well over an hour to respond to a situation. Loss of critical PILT funds will mean a reduction in vital public services, and that is unacceptable. County Judge Dan Joyce, who is in Washington today, says loss of PILT funds will devastate our ability to respond rapidly in emergency situations. I call on the new Democrat majority to move H.R. 17. Services are being lost. Libraries are closing. Teachers are being given notices they won't be rehired. It is time for action.

Mr. WALDEN of Oregon

Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, the failure of Congress to reauthorize the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act is a breach of faith to more than 600 forested counties and 4,400 school districts across our great country. There are more than 400 miles of paved road in Morrow County, Oregon, where every county road leads to a national forest. Loss of this program and funds means no portion of any paved road will be replaced and basic maintenance will stop. One of the most expensive roads for the county to maintain runs through the Umatilla National Forest and is a designated scenic byway. Without county payments, people won't be able to safely access their public lands, and the hope of a new outdoor recreation economy to replace the lost timber jobs goes unfulfilled. County Public Works Director Burke O'Brien says: ``We are not the ones who stopped our sustainable Federal timber harvest. However, now we are being forced to lose even the funds promised to replace the lost forest revenues.'' My colleagues, Congress must keep the Federal Government's word and its promise to the timbered communities. It is time to get a hearing and a markup and to pass H.R. 17. Time is running out for forested timber communities.

Mr. WALDEN of Oregon

Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, the failure of Congress to reauthorize the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act amounts to a breach of faith to more than 600 forested counties and 4,400 school districts across America, including Jefferson County in Oregon, where more than 50 percent of the land is in Federal ownership, which means the county's Community Work Service program for primarily juvenile offenders will be eliminated. Under the program, juvenile community service work crews remove trash from public lands, rehabilitate hiking trails, revegetate denuded areas, and repair resource damage due to vandalism. In 2004 alone, these young people removed more than 150 tons of garbage and more than 2 miles of old barbed wire fence from BLM lands. In fact, the Bureau of Land Management awarded this program the National Volunteer Award for making a difference on the public lands in 2005. It has been very successful in addressing recidivism and introducing a new generation to America's forests. Former Madras Mayor Rick Allen said: ``Loss of these funds will cripple community services.'' My colleagues, Congress must keep the Federal Government's promise to timbered communities. Pass H.R. 17. Time is running out.

Mr. WALDEN of Oregon

Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, since learning we would consider a resolution regarding troop levels in Iraq, I have spent considerable time listening to veterans of this war and other wars questioning some of America's top national security officials, reading every e-mail, literally every letter on this most serious issue of this day that has come into my office from my constituents. I have listened to voices of leaders of other nations who surround Iraq. I have read the National Intelligence Report. I have read the Iraq Study Committee Report. I have been given books such as ``Fiasco'' to digest, and I have reached out to the parents of brave Americans who are on their way into this conflict, and I have heard from the parents of sons who were lost in this conflict. I have heard strong opinions on both sides of this issue, and I have reflected upon my own vote to authorize the war in the first place. To say the least, it has been an agonizing experience. Agonizing, because I want to do what is right for America with minimal sacrifice to the brave Americans who wear our Nation's uniform. I want to do what is right to protect our freedom and our security. I will always remember the days and nights when the smoke from the burning Pentagon wafted into the apartment I lived in just blocks from that building. I remember the images of that day when rescue personnel were trying to save lives, only to lose their own. I remember the pledge I made to myself that I would never let that happen to America again if I had my way. So I supported implementation of the 9/11 Commission Report. I supported efforts to improve our intelligence gathering and processing efforts so that America does not miss key indicators of danger or, worse, misinterpret the data that is gathered. Policymakers must be given accurate, reliable intelligence if we are to make responsible decisions. Had Congress been given an accurate intelligence assessment, I doubt the vote to invade Iraq would ever have come to this floor in the first place, and I certainly would not have cast the vote I cast because the threat was not what we were told it was, despite the horrific brutality of Saddam Hussein and his henchmen sons. Unfortunately, though, we cannot edit history; we cannot change the past. Our responsibility is to the present and even more so to the future, America's future. In some areas of the world, America has made strong diplomatic progress on the most difficult issues facing our planet. I speak of the recent agreement with North Korea coming out of the Six Party talks. I am reminded of the willingness of Libya to give up its weapons of mass destruction and come into line with the world community. And while much work remains regarding Iran's nuclear development, America's work with other countries and through the United Nations is having an effect on Iran. Meanwhile, our troops and our work internationally in Afghanistan continues to show progress, even in light of the recent resurgence of the Taliban. Consider the historic role NATO is playing to bring peace and stability to that far-off land. So if we are accomplishing good in Afghanistan and elsewhere, why is the situation in Iraq still such a mess? And what can or should America do there now that will hasten Iraq's move towards stability and hasten the bringing home of our troops to America? As my colleague from New Mexico, Heather Wilson, so eloquently and forcefully asked this week: What are America's strategic interests in Iraq, and how can we best achieve them? These are the serious questions of our day, and these are the issues tragically missing from this nonbinding resolution. In this new world where war is not waged by armies in uniform with codes of honor but by terrorists who blow up food markets and behead journalists, how do we respond in an effective way to prevent the insanity from coming again to our shores? How best do we prevent a whole region from ripping apart at the seams and perhaps taking much of the world with it? While Congress has a clear constitutional role and responsibility when the Nation is at war, where is the line that Congress should not cross? Are we really best equipped to decide precisely how many reinforcements are sent into which battle? Isn't that a decision best left to the commanders in the field? Can Congress really give General Petraeus a unanimous vote of support to lead our effort in Iraq and then turn around and deny him the strategy he told us he believes is necessary to win? A former colonel in the Air Force wrote to me recently on this very topic. She said, ``Some in Congress say they support General Petraeus but don't want them to undertake the mission they were confirmed to do. It seems right out of Alice in Wonderland.'' And if Congress is going to make these decisions, then have we really carefully analyzed where the other 134,754 troops in Iraq are, what they are doing, and what they should do? Another of the e-mails I received was from a veteran of the Vietnam War who, like many other veterans of that conflict, urged me to vote against this resolution; and he wrote, ``Our troops need unqualified support. They don't need to be told they are participating in a lost cause.'' Indeed, this two-sentence nonbinding resolution does send a very mixed message to our troops. Moreover, this resolution is a lost opportunity to address at least five major issues that a serious Congress needs to address. First, this resolution fails to even mention the Iraqi role. Where is the siren call for the Iraqi government to keep its word and perform as promised? We cannot expect for long to do for Iraq what it is unwilling to do for itself. Second, this resolution fails to even mention the need for this administration to embrace the Iraq Study Group Report's call for aggressive diplomatic initiatives with Syria, Iran, and other nations in Iraq's neighborhood. Where is the call for enhanced diplomacy? Third, this resolution fails to even mention the need to replenish the equipment that our National Guard units have left behind while serving our country overseas. My State's own National Guard's ability to conduct training is deeply affected by lack of equipment. Fourth, this resolution fails to call on Iran, Syria, and other nations to stop directly or indirectly supplying the weapons and explosives to those who detonate car bombs in Baghdad and elsewhere in Iraq, killing women and children as they try to buy food in local markets. Where is the condemnation of their actions? Fifth, this resolution fails to define what our strategic national interests are in Iraq and how we can best achieve them. I know that I stand alone in my State's delegation by opposing this resolution. I have been told by some I should just vote for it. It would be easier politically for me because then the problem is off my back. It is someone else's. They will own it. I cannot do that and look at myself in the mirror. I cannot ignore the counsel recently given to us by diplomats in the region whose advice we ignored when America took on this challenge in Iraq and who now counsel us with most seriousness in the strongest of terms against leaving Iraq before the country is stabilized. They have made it clear to this Member of Congress that failure in Iraq will have grave and dangerous consequences to the entire region. In short, we broke it, we need to fix it before we leave it. But fixing Iraq does not mean ending religious differences, differences that have ripped apart that region for 1,300 years or more. Fixing Iraq does not mean installing our form of democracy. Fixing Iraq means ensuring a new terrorist haven is not created or allowed to be created from which they can train and plan safely to carry out attacks against the West. Fixing Iraq means ensuring their government can stand on its own and not collapse into a sinkhole that drags other nations in the region into an abyss. Given the glaring shortcomings of the non-binding resolution we have before us today, I will vote ``no'' for as many of those who served in Vietnam have told me its message does undercut our troops. Moreover, it fails to call for the increased diplomatic initiatives in the region, it fails to call for Iraq to do its part, it fails to define our strategic national interests of stabilizing Iraq so as to prevent the creation of another terrorist training haven, and it fails to address the very real needs of our National Guard. It is unfortunate that the opportunity to actually affect these very serious policy choices was not allowed on the Floor of the House today. It is, indeed, a missed opportunity for America. Announcement by the Speaker Pro Tempore

Mr. WALDEN of Oregon

Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Madam Speaker, today, the great State of Oregon turns 148 years old. Tomorrow will mark an occasion nearly as momentous when a highly-respected community leader in Oregon, Mr. Steve Kandra, steps down as the president of the Klamath Water Users Association (KWUA). I would like to draw my colleagues' attention to the numerous contributions Steve has made to his community and his industry, for without them hundreds of farmers and ranchers in southern Oregon and northern California would have found the past two years a much greater challenge. As many of us know, most folks would probably be surprised at what life as president of an organization is really like. Often, one is drafted into the position by colleagues to pick up heavy loads, to donate countless hours of time away from family and business, and to forge common ground on difficult issues. Being the president of KWUA is a particularly tough job; Steve heeded the call of his fellow farmers and ranchers for two full terms. As Steve's infectious sense of humor would lead him to say, ``If you don't get it right the first time, try, try again.'' His fellow members at KWUA would tell you that they pleaded with him to lead the association because he is extremely smart, dedicated, experienced, respected, and sincere. That's an impressive combination of personal qualities, and they sum Steve Kandra up well. The farmers and ranchers of the Klamath Basin are no strangers to serious challenges. When the federal government unjustly shut off their water from the Klamath Project in 2001, over 1,000 farming and ranching families' livelihoods, and the community that depends on their well- being, faced disaster. The climb back for the agriculture community is by no means complete and has demanded smart and dedicated leadership. Steve Kandra provided just that. Steve spent countless hours attending meetings and hearings, leading tours of the Klamath Basin, granting interviews, and delivering compelling presentations. His duties as president often took precedence over family affairs and the demands of farming. Anyone who knows Steve knows he is a hands-on guy who will not be deterred when the tough issues require significant personal involvement, a substantial knowledge base, and a broad range of relationships. The ``Just Say No'' campaign clearly did not resonate with Steve. He is also a past president of Tulelake Rotary, Klamath County Farm Bureau, Oregon Hay & Forage Association, Klamath Basin Hay Growers, Klamath County Chamber of Commerce, and Klamath Irrigation District. Steve is a board member of Klamath Basin Ecosystem Foundation and Shaw Historical Library Board of Governors, and an elder at Merrill First Presbyterian Church. Lest my colleagues think that is all Steve has managed to occupy his time with, amazingly there's more. He has also been a board member of the Klamath County Economic Development Association, Upper Klamath Basin Working Group, Klamath Irrigation District, and Oregon Water Resources Congress, just to name a few volunteer activities. I suppose the saying is true: If you need something done, ask a busy man. While Steve and his lovely wife, Nancy, will both remain very engaged in the struggle to provide stability for agriculture in the Klamath Basin, I suspect that Nancy will be popping a bottle of champagne tomorrow night in celebration of Steve's retirement as president of KWUA. Together they have successfully navigated a long and winding road, and a celebration of achievement is certainly in order. Madam Speaker and my fellow House members, please join me in congratulating Steve Kandra, an outstanding community leader and family man who I am proud to call my friend.

Mr. WALDEN of Oregon

Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, the failure of Congress to reauthorize the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act is a breach of promise to the more than 600 forested counties across America and 4,400 school districts. In Umatilla County, Oregon, it is the number one food producing county in the State. For them, a well-maintained road system is critical to ensuring family farmers can compete in this global market. With more than 340 bridges and, a State high, 1,650 miles of road, Umatilla County faces a significant infrastructure maintenance backlog and challenge. County Commissioner Dennis Doherty says, ``American farms are dependent on a farm-to-market road system and loss of those funds will cripple our local road system.'' Tammy Dennee, executive director of the Oregon Wheat Growers League said, ``Global competition starts locally. Being the number one wheat producing county in the State, it is vital to farmers here that the road system is dependable.'' My colleagues, Congress must keep faith with these timbered counties and pass H.R. 17. Our future depends on it, our credibility depends on it, and time is running out.

Mr. WALDEN of Oregon

Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. The failure of Congress to reauthorize the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act amounts to a breach of faith to more than 600 forested counties and 4,400 school districts across our country. For Union County, Oregon, this means a third of the road department employees no longer will have a job, other county services will be cut, and another rural school district is left behind. Last night, County Commissioner Colleen MacLeod was making the 8- hour, 616-mile round trip from her home in Union County to the State capital in Salem, where she and other commissioners around Oregon were meeting to discuss how a county declares bankruptcy. Commissioner MacLeod says, ``County governments, all they want is to be able to work for themselves, and the Federal Government needs to let us. We just want to be able to work in the woods.'' Traveling with the commissioner was the Union County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, Judy Loudermilk, who says, ``What affects one area in a rural community affects us all. Loss of these funds is devastating.'' My colleagues, Congress must keep the Federal Government's promise to timbered communities. Pass H.R. 17 and do it now.

Mr. WALDEN of Oregon

Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. That is a county we share.

Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from the Second District California. We appreciate your great work on forest health issues and your support of this effort. You mentioned this was just a fraction of what we spend federally for the Federal Government to keep its word. As you recall, we tried to get an amendment on the floor during the debate over the continuing resolution a week or so ago and we would have paid for that by just taking a fraction of what is spent for the whole government. That fraction was .00086 percent of the Federal budget that would pay for this; but not just pay for it, it would keep the commitment of this government to the people out West and elsewhere where there are forests that have been there for up until now 100 years basically, 99 years. So it doesn't take a lot to keep your word, and we need to keep the promise regarding forest health and schools and roads and other things. So we appreciate your work on this, Congressman Herger. Thanks for your leadership.