Greg Walden

Mr. WALDEN of Oregon

Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to share with you my tremendous pride in a member of the United States Forest Service who has served his fellow citizens and his nation for almost 40 years, Mr. Chuck Graham. Chuck has not only served in the finest tradition of the Forest Service, he has also made the Forest Service a great neighbor to the communities in which he has served. Chuck's career has been guided by a deep commitment to public service. In every community, from Prospect and Powers to John Day and Lakeview, he has been a friend to all who have known him. Most recently, serving as Forest Supervisor of the Fremont and Winema National Forests in Oregon, Chuck has always seemed to find a way to bring Forest Service interests and community interests together. Whether he was working out a land exchange to preserve the local ski area or preserving a long-standing sustained yield unit, Chuck has always been guided by common sense and innovation to solve problems and capitalize on opportunities. Community leaders and those who use our public lands admire Chuck for his sensible approach to the stewardship of our natural resources. Chuck's strong belief in responsible multiple-use has made the forests he's cared for a valuable asset for all of us. In his innovative management of the forests, he never lost sight of the fact that the chief function of a forest is to sustain clean and abundant water. Chuck has demonstrated that when you manage a forest for its water, you bring out the best that God intended in a forest. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, we can all take pride in the way Chuck oversaw the merging of the local Bureau of Land Management and United States Forest Service into one, cohesive, efficient, and responsive unit. At the headquarters in Lakeview, the BLM and Forest Service not only share a building, they share a philosophy and a mission. Because they work so well together, Chuck and his BLM counterpart, Steve Ellis, have created the model for effectively combining assets of our land management agencies to deliver great service at a significant savings to the taxpayer. Those who have worked with Chuck admire his management style. Chuck sees every employee not just for what they are but also for what they can become. He is dedicated to helping his people reach their full potential in an organization that has meant a great deal to him during a long and productive career. He has steered his organization with a steady and gentle hand, always mindful of his responsibility to the health of the forest and the vitality of the surrounding communities. Chuck is known by the managers of Region 6 as the ``go-to guy.'' When there is a big project, a vexing problem, or an exceptionally bright opportunity, the word in the Regional Office is to ``run it by Chuck''. Chuck has had a distinguished career of getting things done for us, his neighbors, and for the environment we all share. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me today in saluting a man who has served us well. Chuck Graham represents the best in the Forest Service and serves as an example for all to follow. Chuck's career truly represents the ``service'' in Forest Service.

Mr. WALDEN of Oregon

Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise today to pay special tribute to an outstanding business leader and gentleman from Oregon's Second Congressional District, Mr. Les Schwab. I am pleased to announce that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the company he founded, Les Schwab Tires. In 1952, Les bought a small tire store in the city of Prineville, deep in the heart of Central Oregon, for $3,500. From that simple investment, Les Schwab Tires has grown to become the nation's leading independent tire business with over 330 stores throughout the West. Today, there is hardly a town in Oregon that does not fall under the shadow of a Les Schwab Tires sign. His innovative business programs inspire a fierce loyalty that few other companies can match. The tenets for achievement are the same for all of his 7,000 employees: start at the bottom, work hard, and never rest on your laurels. The many profit sharing programs he pioneered ensure all employees have a stake in the success or failure of a store. To this end, the company returns over forty-nine percent of each store's profits to its employees. As Les explained in his inspirational book, ``Pride In Performance'', this return investment is ``unselfish for good reasons.'' It is his sincere wish to instill within his current and future employees a desire to succeed in business to last for many generations to come. The same honesty and fairness that Les shows his employees is bestowed upon his customers as well. Customers know that Les is a man of his word. Westerners, especially Oregonians, appreciate his commitment to customer service and satisfaction, and have rewarded his efforts with 50 years of loyal business. Now, at 85 years of age, Les continues to lead by example. He comes to work daily at his headquarters in Prineville, right where it all started. Ultimately, it is Les' own straightforward leadership and no nonsense Oregon values that have made Les Schwab Tires an American success story. Les is also known for his civic leadership. He gives back generously to the communities that made his company thrive. Les Schwab Tires sponsors numerous charitable events to support local food banks, youth shelters, and several different scholarship foundations. The state All- Star high school football game, the Les Schwab Bowl, benefits athletic programs for disadvantaged youth in the greater Portland area and provides free equipment and sportsmanship education for underprivileged youth in all Oregon high schools. Les is also the chief supporter of the Les Schwab Invitational, a four-day basketball tournament that showcases the top Oregon high school basketball teams and matches them against other outstanding teams from around the country. This event, now in its seventh year, expects to raise $30,000 to help curb the dramatic cuts in the state's athletic programs. Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating this extraordinary man and great American, Mr. Les Schwab. I wish continued happiness for him and Dorothy, his wife of 66 years. Personally, I would like to thank him for all the opportunities he has provided to the people of Prineville, the Second District, and all of Oregon.

Mr. WALDEN of Oregon

Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4953. This is a bill that would promote important transportation infrastructure improvements to an economically depressed area of central Oregon. Rapid population growth among the Bend and Redmond corridor in central Oregon has created a perpetual bottleneck along Highway 97, a vital north-south right-of-way and highway in central Oregon. H.R. 4953 would authorize the relinquishment of rights-of-way between Crook and Deschutes Counties and the Bureau of Land Management, in effect a swap. The BLM would simply relinquish their management right to the West Butte Road, transferring that right to the counties. The counties, in turn, would relinquish their management rights to the George Millican Road, transferring those rights to the Bureau of Land Management. West Butte Road extends from Reservoir Road in Crook County to U.S. Route 20 in Deschutes County. This legislation would allow the counties to make improvements to West Butte Road, thereby providing real and meaningful access to U.S. Highway 20, which is a major transportation route in central Oregon. Improvements to the road would provide an alternative route for trucks and other vehicles that now travel on a very busy and congested U.S. Highway 97. A recent survey conducted by the Oregon Department of Transportation estimated that 25 percent of the trucks that now past through Bend from Highway 20 would use this alternative route, which would save an estimated 1 hour in travel time and reduce air pollutants as a result. Mr. Speaker, not only does H.R. 4953 alleviate traffic congestion in central Oregon, but it also spurs economic growth in Crook County, a county with a current unemployment rate of 8.2 percent. This unemployment rate is due to the dismantling of the timber industry and the exodus of industries linked to that industry. This legislation would divert the excess traffic on Highway 97, transferring to Highway 20, providing incentives to businesses, enticing them to move to Crook County. It also gives businesses currently located in Crook County a reason to stay, due to the long-term viability of its transportation infrastructure. The long-term effect would be to provide family-wage jobs, to increase economic development, reduce pollutants, reduce commute times and trucking times, and free up access on Highway 97. This legislation is supported by both Crook and Deschutes Counties, the cities of Prineville, Bend and Redmond, the Oregon Department of Transportation and Central Oregon Area Transportation Committee. I would especially like to thank my friend and commend Judge Scott Cooper, who has worked tirelessly to make passage of this bill a reality. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4953 is a perfect opportunity for us to step up our efforts in alleviating the County's traffic congestion problems, provide additional commerce routes in central Oregon and work to reduce unemployment. I urge passage of H.R. 4953.

Mr. WALDEN of Oregon

Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the opportunity to speak in favor of S. 238. This legislation would authorize the Secretary of the Interior to engage in feasibility investigations for the Burnt, Malheur and Owyhee River basins in eastern Oregon. It is the next step in the United States Bureau of Reclamation process now that their initial study has been completed. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation's earlier studies examined problems associated with such use as excess nutrients and surface water, sedimentation, high water temperatures, degraded fish habitat, low stream flows, and lack of adequate stream-side vegetation. The feasibility studies that S. 238 authorizes would help find the most logical approaches to address these issues. Mr. Speaker, the farmers and ranchers are the driving force behind this legislation and its companion that I sponsored here in the House, as they have proven over and over again that it is the farmers and ranchers who are some of our strongest conservationists. They care deeply about the land and water that they will use to grow the crops and raise the livestock that feed us all. This bill will set a process in motion that will allow the farmers to leave more water in-stream while maintaining their current yields. The bill is supported by the Burnt River Irrigation District, the Powder Valley Water Control District, the Baker Valley Irrigation District, the Owyhee Irrigation District, the Owyhee Ditch Company, the Vale Oregon Irrigation District, and the Warm Springs Irrigation District. It is a simple, straightforward bill that deserves the support of my colleagues, and I ask for that.

Mr. WALDEN of Oregon

Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, today we gather together as one people united in observance of the greatest tragedy in American history. We do so mournful of the staggering loss of life we suffered that terrible day one year ago and humbled by the heroes whose courage lifted the spirit of a grieving nation. The attacks of September 11 offered us a grim view of the evil capacity of mankind, just as it showed us the triumph of the human spirit and the resilience of the American people. In the heroism of the firemen and policemen of New York, who rushed into burning buildings without regard to their own lives, we saw barbarism met with humanity. In the bravery of Pentagon personnel, who pulled their wounded comrades from the fiery ruins, we saw wickedness met with honor. And in the defiance of the passengers of Flight 93, who sacrificed their lives to deny victory to murderers, we saw cowardice met with valor. While a year has passed since the Twin Towers fell and the symbol of America's military strength was breached, we remain numb to the magnitude of the suffering wrought by evil men. And while our grief subsides with time, it never leaves us completely. The emotions that swept over us that awful day--horror, sadness, fear, and anger--still come creeping back to remind us that the scars of September 11 will never fully heal. But just as the terrorists dealt us a grievous wound, they also succeeded in uniting the American people like never before. We have renewed our faith in our system of government and reaffirmed our commitment to the spread of freedom and justice around the globe. And we have been reminded that whatever differences separate us, we remain a profoundly unified people. Mr. Speaker, in the years ahead, the attacks of September 11 will be remembered not merely as an unspeakable tragedy, but as a date that triggered a renewal of the American spirit. As we move forward in our battle against the perpetrators of evil, we will proceed with the unshakable certainty that America's brightest days lie ahead. God bless you, and God bless America.

Mr. WALDEN of Oregon

Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to convey my deepest appreciation to a member of my Washington, D.C. staff for her tireless efforts on behalf of the good people of Oregon's 2nd Congressional District. Jill Hazelbaker will soon conclude her internship and return to the University of Oregon to finish her dual degree in Political Science and History. Jill came to my office fresh from a semester abroad in London. She had only a few days to relax at home in Salem, Oregon, before picking up and moving to Washington, D.C. for her summer internship. Many students would balk at such a quick turnaround, but not Jill. Her travels have taken her from Africa to Europe, and she has participated not only in a semester abroad in London, but a summer studying in Beijing, China. She has no qualms about traveling to distant lands and learning about other people and cultures, an attribute that has served her well in the unique political environment of Capitol Hill and helped ease her transition into this international city. Though Jill has made a habit of traveling the globe, she is an Oregonian through and through. She cares deeply about the people of Oregon and the issues that matter to them, and plans on making her home there. She is committed to her community and volunteers her time reading to elementary school children and registering voters at her university. Jill takes pride in her work and is one of only eight student advertising executives at the Oregon Daily Emerald, a paper serving the UO campus community. Mr. Speaker, Jill has been a terrific addition to my office. She tackles every project she is given with enthusiasm and dedication. Her background in history has made her a natural at giving tours of the Capitol, and she greets constituents with a warm smile and makes them feel at home. Jill has also attended committee mark-up meetings and made a considerable effort to learn as much as she can about the legislative process. Mr. Speaker, my office has been lucky to have an intern like Jill. Her strong work ethic and upbeat attitude will truly be missed around the office, but will no doubt serve her well in any field of work that she chooses to pursue. Best of luck in the future Jill, and keep up the good work. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. WALDEN of Oregon

Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a member of my Washington, DC staff for his tireless efforts on behalf of the good people of Oregon's 2nd Congressional District. Anthony Azadeh will conclude his internship this week to pursue a law degree at the Northwestern School of Law at Lewis and Clark College. Anthony has done a great job and will be missed. Following his graduation from Aloha High School, Anthony chose to further his education by attending Lewis & Clark College, where he stood out both academically and athletically. He achieved Dean's List honors and a Phi Beta Kappa key while pursuing his bachelor's degree in Political Science, and was still able to play four years of football for the Pioneers as a running back. Anthony led the team in rushing yards for the 2000 season. Not many students are able to balance their studies with outside activities, but Anthony was able to excel at both. While still in school, Anthony made a run for Oregon State Representative in the 38th District, an attempt that was surely difficult during his last semester in college. Facing a tough primary, Anthony worked hard soliciting votes by going door-to-door and convincing students on campus to switch their party affiliations to vote for him. Although he was defeated in the primary, Anthony showed great promise as a future candidate. Anthony has been an asset to my office during his tenure. He brought with him a strong interest in politics and a true desire to serve the people of Oregon. He worked tirelessly at any task he was given, from simple data entry to drafting letters. Anthony also used his time in Washington to learn about many different aspects of government, taking time to attend committee hearings and lectures. Mr. Speaker, Anthony has the right combination of talent, determination, and idealism to make it far in this world, and I have every confidence that he will continue to do well in law school and in whatever else he decides to pursue. Oregon is lucky to have such an outstanding citizen, and I wish Anthony the best of luck in his future endeavors.

Mr. WALDEN of Oregon

Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Mr. Chairman, let us get to the facts here; and the facts are these, and let me read this. I will turn to pesticides. Although current studies and modern activities have failed to detect an acute problem with pesticides on the refuge, they go into this. That is why they did, the IPM, the integrated pest management plan. I can give my colleague study after study right here of great researchers in the State of Oregon that have looked at pesticide use and have found no significant impact. Beyond that, let me just say this. I have supported, as have the gentleman, legislation to study the water quality and quantity in this basin. It has passed this Congress, probably unanimously, and the agencies are working on that. I have supported and the gentleman has supported legislation to improve fish passage at Chilicottan dam. I have supported conservation efforts to improve water quality and quantity in this basin and habitat. My feet are not stuck in concrete, but I want to do it in a way that works in the basin for the farmers and the fish and the fowl with science-based decisions. The rest is the rhetoric.

Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Mr. Chairman, I am dismayed that my colleague from Portland has chosen to attack farming the Klamath Basin with this reckless and harmful amendment. By doing so, we are kicking the very farmers in the stomach just when they have been begun to recover from the last attack that this government hit them with. You remember, these are the men and women of the Klamath Basin who had their irrigation water cut off to them last year. They could not raise their crops and then the National Academy of Science has found the government's decision to cut off their water could not be backed up by science. In short, the Federal Government got it wrong, terribly wrong. What makes this amendment especially troubling is that it flies in the face of science and could hurt the farmers, the economy, the community and the very species that it is supposed to be introduced to protect. Mr. Chairman, it is our responsibility to see that this Congress does not get it wrong again and do even more damage in the Klamath Basin, damage not only to the farmers who lease the lands on the refuges but also damage the wildlife, the waterfowl and refuges. The proponents make two arguments: That growing row crops and alfalfa are incompatible with the refuges and the pesticides are adversely affecting the environment of the refuges. First, growing row crops is not only compatible with the refuges, but is also a practice that benefits the soil by improving its fertility as crops are rotated. This practice is as old as farming in America. The increased fertility of the soil in turn benefits the cereal grains that represent more than 75 percent of the acreage in the refuges which are then eaten by various species. Mr. Chairman, activities on the Klamath and Tule Lake Refuges are governed by several Federal laws, including the 1964 Kuchel Act, which restricts row crops on the refuges to no more than 25 percent. It is worth noting that current planning of row crops represents less than that figure. Periodically the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service conducts a compatibility determination, a formal and involved public process to make sure that agricultural processes are consistent with operating the refuges for the benefit of wildlife and waterfowl. The latest compatibility determination was issued on June 4 of this year. It selected a no-action alternative which means that the farming activities are indeed compatible with the goals of the refuge. Further, Fish and Wildlife determined that even if these leased lands are reduced, the increased returned flows of water generated from reduced lease land farming would not be available to refuge wetlands. They are the lowest on the priority list to water rights in the basin. This is because the Endangered Species Acts, tribal trust assets, and agricultural contracts take precedent. In short, cutting back on leasing the lease lands will not result in more water to the refuge wetlands. Now let us talk about alfalfa. We are talking about onions and potatoes. Growing onions requires hand-weeding which helps keep down the noxious weeds. What better way to control noxious weed infestations than by hand-weeding. Growing potatoes benefits waterfowl. According to the California Waterfowl Association, potatoes specifically benefit two types of geese, the lesser snow and the white-fronted geese, because after the first frost the potatoes left in the field provide food for these geese. The pronghorned antelope on the refuge eat the alfalfa sprouts. Mr. Chairman, the Blumenauer-Thompson amendment would deny leases that allow farmers to raise these row crops that have indeed been found compatible with the purposes of the refuge. Now let us move on to pesticides. It is ironic that my friend from California would be on this amendment about pesticides when all the scientific studies, and I have a list of them here, found no adverse effect from these pesticides. And, in fact, I want to go to a statement by the manager of the Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuge. ``We have never found that the pesticides have had an adverse effect on the environment.'' The Littlejohn report from 1993, the Boyer and Grew reports from 1994, the Moore report in 1993, on and on. These farmers used integrated pest management programs to minimize the use of pesticides in this basin. Each year they go through a pesticide use proposal process. I have the minutes of the April meeting here where they go through and look at how they can minimize the use. California, and you all from California know this, probably has the most restricted use of pesticides in the United States of America. On this refuge, 97.8 percent of those pesticides allowed everywhere else in California are denied in this refuge already. They only use 2.2 percent of the available pesticides. For nearly a decade scientist after scientist has studied the use of the pesticides and found no problems. Where they have thought there might be some concerns, they have moved back how they applied the pesticides so it does not get in the water, does not get in the canals, and does not adversely affect the species in the Klamath Refuge. It is important to note, because I know my friend and colleague from Portland originally wanted to ban funding for any renewal of leases but then compromised and just wants to do away about the row crops. Let me point out what Phil Norton, the manager of the Klamath Basin Refuge said. His greatest nightmare would be to have a whole bunch of lands that we were not set up to handle. That is what will happen if we start cutting off these leases. Again, I want to make the point, if the lease lands are not used, the water does not go to the refuge but to other higher-use priorities. Finally, let me close by saying this. Those of us who represent rural areas have a concern when those in the urban areas have situations far worse than polluting rivers. In the city of Portland, 3.4 billion gallons of stormwater and sewage flow in in 55 locations into the Columbia and the Willamette River; 3.4 billion gallons of raw sewage. They flush it and it flows right into where the endangered salmon are. Right over where there are toxic dumps, Superfund sites in the Willamette River. Yet the American Rivers Council does not say that one is polluted. They just say that Klamath is. Mr. Chairman, this is a bad amendment for agriculture. It does not work for the wildlife. What they have done on that refuge is compatible, and I urge opposition to this amendment.

Mr. WALDEN of Oregon

Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to share with my colleagues the pride I feel as an American and as a native of The Dalles, Oregon in the establishment of the Mid-Columbia Veterans Memorial, which I will join the community leaders of The Dalles in dedicating on the 4th of July. On this hallowed day, as we observe the founding of the greatest nation in the history of mankind, it is fitting that we honor the patriots who have fought and died to keep it so. This memorial was conceived by the citizens of The Dalles to pay tribute to the sons and daughters of Oregon's Mid-Columbia region who served our nation in times of war. Building on an existing memorial to local veterans of the Vietnam War, leaders of this community launched an effort to create a lasting monument to every veteran of the Mid- Columbia who has served the United States in uniform. Built from funds gathered from the State of Oregon, the federal government, local businesses and private citizens, the memorial we will unveil arose from the hearts of the men and women of the Mid-Columbia who remain forever grateful for the sacrifices that purchased the freedom they so deeply cherish. I am proud to have assisted in securing federal funds for this worthy project, just as I am proud to have hailed from a community whose ground has been so fertile in producing patriotic citizens. Mr. Speaker, no memorial to our nation's veterans seeks to glorify armed conflict or celebrate the tragedy that war represents. Rather, they are erected to pay homage to the virtue that is found among men and women for whom the triumph of despotism and tyranny is more terrifying even than their own deaths. Mr. Speaker, the philosopher John Stuart Mill once wrote, ``War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. The decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks that nothing is worth war is much worse. A man who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing he cares about more than his personal safety, is a miserable creature who has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself.'' It is only by God's grace that our nation has been blessed with such men and women, whose exertions have safeguarded the freedom not only of this nation, but of much of the rest of the free world. Men like Charles R. Rubart of The Dalles, who was killed in action in 1899 while serving in the Philippines, far from the beauty of his native land. Men like Loren Kaufman, a son of The Dalles who received the Congressional Medal of Honor for gallantry in action during the Korean War. Men like Stan Adams, another Korean War veteran who also received our nation's highest award for leading the men under his command on a bayonet charge against an enemy force 10 times the size of his own unit. These are Oregonians whose exertions have earned them an eternal place in the pantheon of America's greatest heroes. Mr. Speaker, in the years ahead, as generations not yet born pass by this site, they will see a memorial as sturdy and as enduring as the valor of the heroes it was erected to honor. And as they do so, they will be reminded of the sacrifices of the men and women whose glory is enshrined in this elegant and powerful memorial. To the community of The Dalles, Oregon, I offer my most sincere gratitude for the contribution they have made in recognizing the service of the veterans of the Mid-Columbia.

Mr. WALDEN of Oregon

Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an outstanding Oregonian and authentic American hero, Carroll ``Bud'' Fairclo. A native of Dairy, Oregon in the 2nd Congressional District, Bud was a devoted family man, a well-loved member of his community, a fierce warrior, and most of all, an unwavering patriot. Mr. Speaker, Bud Fairclo served during World War II as a member of Company L of the 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division of the Fifth and Seventh Armies. As an infantryman with the 3rd Division, which fought in campaigns across North Africa, Sicily, and Italy under Generals George S. Patton and Mark W. Clark, Bud saw some of the heaviest fighting of the war during a period when Germany's defeat was by no means certain. Bud participated in countless engagements, and though he performed with distinction in combat many times, his heroism on one occasion was particularly conspicuous. On November 9th, 1943, near Mignano, Italy, Bud silenced three German pillboxes with a volley of grenades and rifle fire, saving many of his countrymen from the murderous fire of the enemy. He then single- handedly halted a German counterattack and was under constant enemy fire for nearly 18 hours until relief arrived. While he was severely wounded during this action, Bud refused evacuation to treat his injuries. Later he volunteered for observation post duty to direct mortar fire that silenced two remaining pillboxes that had fired on his unit throughout the night. On April 11th, 1944 General Mark W. Clark presented Bud Fairclo with the Distinguished Service Cross for his extraordinary heroism in action, a decoration second only to the Medal of Honor. Bud's uncommon valor earned him not only the distinction of being one of Oregon's most highly decorated veterans, but the enduring gratitude of the nation he fought so heroically to defend. Like so many unassuming heroes of his generation, Bud Fairclo loved his country deeply, served it courageously in our Nation's darkest hour, and then quietly returned to civilian life, expecting neither recognition nor reward for his valiant service. Bud went on to father five children and run a horse-ranch in the Klamath Basin for more than half a century. While I never had the opportunity to meet Bud before his passing in 1997, like every child of the post-war world I have lived and breathed the freedom that he and his comrades bequeathed to us. Mr. Speaker, on July 4th, I will have the distinct honor of presenting a framed set of Bud's military decorations to the Fairclo family as part of a ceremony dedicating the Mid-Columbia Veterans Memorial in The Dalles, Oregon. I will make this presentation with a profound and lasting reverence for the sacrifices he and his fellow veterans made on behalf of the generations that would follow them. Today as our Nation faces a new war and young men and women across this great land answer their country's call to service, it is the heroism and selflessness of men like Bud Fairclo that will inspire them to great and noble feats. As we observe the birth of our Nation and commemorate the contributions Bud and others have made in defending it, we do so in humble recognition of the debt we owe to them--a debt that no riches or tributes could ever hope to repay.

Mr. WALDEN of Oregon

Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to clause 1, rule I, I demand a vote on agreeing to the Speaker's approval of the Journal.

Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. WALDEN of Oregon

Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, the House is not in order. The gentleman deserves to be heard as was the minority leader.

Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, if we think about this, nobody has fought harder for Patients' Bill of Rights in this country than the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Norwood), the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Ganske), and the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Fletcher). They are unanimously in support of this bill. These are careful legislators who have evaluated this bill carefully. They unanimously support it because they know it is within the budget. It will give care to those who need it the most. From the people that I represent, that is what is most important, that we put together a plan that will fit within the budget framework we have been given to operate under that will get them care, because they need help now. They need help now. They do not want partisan rhetoric. We are sick and tired of that in America. This winter and spring, I went around and met with hospitals, doctors, patients, and seniors all across my district. The clear message was: get us help now; do what you can for us now. This bill does that. That is why organizations representing these doctors and hospitals and seniors and others support it. It will help home health care; it will help Medicare patients. This is a good plan that will make a real difference for patients. It provides prescription drugs at no cost to those who make $15,000 or less a year in our senior community.

Mr. WALDEN of Oregon

Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. WALDEN of Oregon

Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer my congratulations to the men and women of Valley Bronze and Stewart Springs, Ltd. for their success in receiving the contract to adorn the World War II monument on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Valley Bronze is a foundry located in Joseph, Oregon in Wallowa County in my congressional district, a pristine sliver of the United States whose citizens live and breathe the heritage of the American West. The successful bid award to participate in the construction of the World War II memorial was the product of a creative collaboration between David and Christine Jackman, the owners of Valley Bronze, and Janelle Stewart, the owner of Stewart Springs, Ltd., a drafting company also located in Joseph. When it is complete, the ``Freedom Wall'' of the World War II memorial will feature 4,123 gold-plated stars cast by Valley Bronze, each of which will represent 100 American lives lost in the service of our nation during that terrible conflict. Fifty-six pillars will surround the memorial to represent every American state and territory, each of which will be decorated with bronze wreaths made in Joseph. Anchoring the flagpoles at the ceremonial entrance to the monument will be pedestals made by Valley Bronze, and monumental bas relief medallions representing the ``victory medallions'' given to World War II veterans will be embedded in the floor of the archways at each end of the memorial. Finally, four water fountains and 900 feet of decorative drainage grate will encircle the monument. I have no doubt, Mr. Speaker, that each of the decorations that will adorn the memorial will be cast with the care and precision to befit a monument in honor of America's patriot dead. Mr. Speaker, awarding this bid to Valley Bronze is a reflection of the beauty of their work and the quality of their craftsmanship. It is fitting that the materials to build this monument to our nation's heroes will be brought together from across the American continent, just as America's sons and daughters came from cities and towns across this great land to answer their nation's call. The national monument to the veterans of World War II will stand for generations as an enduring testament to the heroism and sacrifice of the men and women who have rightly been called the Greatest Generation. Visitors from across the United States and indeed the rest of the world will journey to our nation's capital to see this monument and pay their own private tribute to the legions of American soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines who fought and died to prevent the spread of tyranny. They will do so enjoying the freedom won in part by the exertions of Oregonians, just as the beauty they admire was crafted by Oregonians' hands. Mr. Speaker, I commend Valley Bronze and Stewart Springs, Ltd. for their outstanding success. The first-rate quality of their work was chosen as the finest in the land, and I am proud to represent them and their patriotic community in the House of Representatives.

Mr. WALDEN of Oregon

Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the citizen soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry of the Oregon National Guard as they prepare to embark on an overseas deployment as part of Operation Noble Eagle. Last month the men and women of the 1-186th conducted Soldier Readiness Processing as part of their home-station mobilization, and soon they will leave their homes in southern Oregon to receive theater- specific training at Fort Carson, Colorado before continuing on to the Sinai region of Egypt. There they will take part in the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) peacekeeping mission in that troubled region of the world before returning to their families and loved ones in early 2003. Mr. Speaker, this mission represents the largest deployment of the Oregon National Guard since World War II, when the ``Fighting Jungeleers'' of the famed 4lst Infantry Division patrolled the jungle trails of New Guinea. While this time Oregon's citizen soldiers have been called to keep peace rather than make war, I have every confidence that the dedication they will bring to this mission will be no less than that of their predecessors more than a half century ago. Mr. Speaker, the deployment of the 1-186th is significant for a number of reasons, not the least of which is that this is only the second time a reserve-component unit has been called upon to perform the Sinai mission. During their deployment, Oregon's guardsmen and women will ensure the freedom of navigation through the Strait of Tiran at the southern entrance to the Gulf of Agaba. The task force will be responsible for the operation of checkpoints, reconnaissance patrols and observation points along the international border separating Israel and Egypt Mr. Speaker, as these brave Americans travel to the Holy Land to serve as peacekeepers, it is fitting that we recall the book of Isaiah, which reads, ``I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, `Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?' Then said I, `Here am I; send me.' '' Like Isaiah of old, citizens of this great nation have always stepped forth to answer the call of their leaders, and this tradition continues today. Mr. Speaker, volunteering for the National Guard takes a special kind of sacrifice. It means working 40 or 50 hours a week in a civilian job and then spending the weekend training, drilling, cleaning equipment, going to the field, and preparing for the day when you are called upon to play a vital role in our nation's defense. As this deployment demonstrates, it means putting your life on hold for months or years at a time--saying goodbye to your spouse and your children and the comforts of civilian life to serve the United States under conditions that are often less than ideal. This is a duty that the men and women of the Oregon Guard under-take without complaint and without question, never shirking from the responsibility they have accepted. Patriots all, the citizens soldiers of the 1-186th is a unit as professional and as dedicated as any that has ever worn the uniform of the United States. Mr. Speaker, as an Oregonian and as an American, I am proud to call them my countrymen. I know my colleagues in the House of Representatives join me in extending their gratitude to the men and women of the 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry--the Guardians of the Western Gate. May God bless them, and may God bless America.

Mr. WALDEN of Oregon

Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I want to first thank the chairman of this committee for his extraordinary efforts on behalf of the farmers and ranchers in Klamath Basin. I intend to actively support this bill today because of what it is doing to solve the water problems we face not only in the Klamath Basin, but across the West. The increase of 80 percent in funding of conservation programs are what is going to make the difference so that our farmers get water this year. It was little over a year ago that the Federal Government cut off the water to the 1,400 farm families in the basin. Many of them have gone bankrupt. Most of them had no income. It is an incredible tragedy that has been allowed to occur. The chairman was successful in the conference in getting $50 million earmarked specifically for an environmental quality investment incentive program that will help solve some of the problems and has been very supportive of our efforts to resolve the long-term water needs and problems in this basin to improve water quality and quantity. This is an extraordinary step forward that will bring real long-term solutions to the Klamath Basin. I thank the Chairman for his diligence, his tireless efforts on behalf of those farmers and ranchers and for the other work in this farm bill that is going to make an extraordinary difference for the men and women who make their living off the land in Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for the time. As I have repeatedly informed my colleagues since last April, the past year has seen a terrible crisis in the Klamath Basin of southern Oregon and northern California. On April 6 of last year, nearly 1,400 farmers and ranchers were denied water during the 2001 growing season in large part due to Endangered Species Act issues. Yet, earlier this year the highly regarded National Academy of Sciences, NAS, which reviewed the Government's actions, found that there was ``no substantial scientific foundation at this time for changing the operation of the Klamath Project to maintain higher water levels in Upper Klamath Lake, or higher minimum flows in the Klamath River.'' In other words, the Government's decisions that crippled the livelihood of farming and ranching families were not backed up by the science. The Government's actions were devastating in many ways, causing economic damage between $135 million and $200 million, depriving wildlife refuges of water and feed, and dumping lethally hot water into the Klamath River, thereby threatening the endangered coho salmon the Government was entrusted to help. However, just because the Government made poor decisions doesn't mean there are not significant water quality and quantity problems that must be dealt with in this basin. That's why I support this farm bill and the $50 million in funding for the Klamath Basin that is included in the Environmental Quality Incentive Program section of the bill. It is a wonderful way to make sure that those funds are spent where they will do the most good for fish, farmers, and waterfowl. Since December of last year, the National Academy of Sciences issued its report criticizing the decisions made by the Government. That critique has now been included in the new biological assessment, BA, issued by the Bureau of Reclamation. In addition, the President has created a cabinet-level task force to address the unique and complicated issues in the Klamath Basin. The farm bill provides an 80 percent increase in conservation funds to pay for the very types of projects that must be done if we are ever to solve the water quality and quantity issues in the basin. I have refused to forget that this is the farm bill, and the purpose of what we do in the farm bill is to make sure that we have a vibrant agricultural economy in the Klamath Basin and throughout this country. The steps taken in the bill will improve fish habitat, will improve water quality and quantity, and will improve the health of the national wildlife refuges. By doing all of these things we will improve significantly the chances that farmers and ranchers in the Klamath Basin will get the water they need and everyone comes out a winner. Additionally, the conference committee was kind enough to include a feasibility study I crafted that was passed unanimously by this House last October, only to languish in the other body. This feasibility study is needed to address an imminent endangered species habitat claim against the Chiloquin Dam is southern Oregon, which is the Modoc Point Irrigation District's current gravity flow diversion source. This dam blocks endangered suckers from reaching 95 percent of their former spawning and juvenile rearing habitat in the warm water reaches of the Sprague River. Several parties have identified the Chiloquin Dam as constituting a significant habitat problem for endangered suckers. They include: The Klamath Tribes, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, Bureau of Reclamation, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the Klamath Water Users Association. This feasibility study was constructed in consultation with both the Modoc Point Irrigation District and the Klamath Tribes. The study will include: Review of all alternatives for providing passage, including the removal of the dam; determination of the most appropriate alternative; development of recommendations for implementing the alternative; and examination of mitigation needed for upstream and downstream water users as a result of such implementation. Mr. Speaker, as you can see we have been working on this issue diligently for some time and I would be remiss if I did not thank a few Members and staff for their support during this process. I would like to especially thank Chairman Combest for putting these provisions in the farm bill. Congressman Pombo also gave me great counsel throughout the process. Chairman Hansen and Chairman Young, the conferees from the House Resources Committee, were invaluable. And finally, Doug Yoder and Steve Petersen from the Resources Committee and Lance Kotschwar and Bill O'Conner from the Agriculture Committee went to great lengths to secure this needed help for the Klamath Basin. I'm indebted to all of them.

Mr. WALDEN of Oregon

Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I rise this evening to pay tribute to a young Oregonian serving our country abroad as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. Lieutenant Junior Grade Rafe Wysham, a native of Madras, Oregon, is currently assigned as an F-14 Radar Intercept Officer aboard the U.S.S. John F. Kennedy in the Arabian sea. Mr. Speaker, Lt. Wysham is a third-generation naval officer. His grandfather, a veteran of the Second World War, served on a destroyer and received the Purple Heart. Rafe's father, Bill, served as a tactical coordinator on a P-3 naval aircraft in Vietnam. In short, Mr. Speaker, the Wysham family is not unfamiliar with the sacrifices that attend service in the United States Armed Forces. After his graduation from Madras High School in 1994, Rafe entered the United States Naval Academy, where he graduated in 1998 in the top 10 percent of his class. Following his graduation from the academy, Rafe was sent to flight school in Pensacola, Florida, followed by advanced training in Norfolk, Virginia. His assignment to the U.S.S. Kennedy marks his first overseas deployment. Mr. Speaker, on March 3 of this year, Lieutenant Wysham was confronted with a sobering reminder of the danger he faces every time he straps himself into his Tomcat and is catapulted into the sky. That day during takeoff on a routine training mission in the Mediterranean Sea, Rafe's aircraft developed a problem that prevented it from gaining enough airspeed to take flight. Nevertheless, the carrier's catapult system launched the plane forward too fast to abort the takeoff, but too slow to make it into the air. The aircraft's pilot, Lieutenant Commander Christopher M. Blaschum of Virginia Beach, immediately called for both to eject. Rafe complied, but blacked out from the force of that ejection. Tragically, while Rafe's parachute opened and delivered him safely to the water below, Commander Blaschum's chute failed and his life was lost. Lieutenant Wysham woke to find himself floating in the water in full gear, directly in the path of one of the world's most lethal warships. Cutting away his seat pan, he swam desperately to escape the oncoming carrier, which passed within 20 feet of him. Fortunately, Rafe survived. Mr. Speaker, the loss of his pilot was a devastating blow to Lieutenant Wysham, his shipmates aboard the U.S.S. Kennedy, and the entire naval family. Commander Blaschum leaves behind a wife and two sons, Jack and Max, who will carry the memory of their father's service and his ultimate sacrifice as long as they live. Mr. Speaker, Lieutenant Wysham would probably be mortified to know that he is being honored on the floor of the United States House of Representatives today. He is not the sort who seeks public recognition for his service to our country. Neither is he the sort to dwell on his own mortality, or let the fear of the unexpected keep him from completing his vital mission. Indeed, Rafe was back up in the air less than a week after the accident, and in an e-mail to his mother shortly after the incident, Rafe wrote, ``I entered this business knowing something like this could happen.'' Like the thousands of men and women in uniform fighting the war on terrorism, Lieutenant Wysham simply accepts his reality, and he marches on. Mr. Speaker, the author, James Michener, wrote a famous story of another group of naval aviators whose service in the Korean War bears close resemblance to that of the men and women serving in harm's way today. In his novel, the Bridges at Toko-Ri, Michener tells of an officer named Harry Brubaker, a lawyer who had fought as a carrier pilot in World War II, and then was recalled to fight again in the skies over Korea. Brubaker is not at all pleased with the turn of events, but tucks in his chin and accepts his duty, nonetheless. Brubaker's task force commander is a salty old admiral named Tarrant, who develops a deep but well-concealed affection for the young pilot. Tarrant describes him as one of the men who ``hammer on in, even though the weight of the war has fallen unfairly on them. I always think of them as the voluntary men. The world is always dependent on the voluntary men. In the end, Brubaker is lost pressing the attack on the bridges, leaving the old admiral reeling in the loss of one of his boys. On the final page of the book, he asks himself the question that haunts us all when we learn of the heroism of our men and women in uniform: ``Why is America lucky enough to have such men,'' he asks. ``Where did we get such men?'' Mr. Speaker, in this case, we got them from the small town of Madras, Oregon, and the bigger city of Virginia Beach, Virginia. Thank God we have them, voluntary men, like Rafe Wysham and Chris Blaschum. We should be forever grateful on that account.

Mr. WALDEN of Oregon

Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to convey my deepest appreciation to a member of my Washington, D.C. staff for his tireless efforts on behalf of the good people of Oregon's 2nd Congressional District. Casey Roats will conclude his internship in my office this week to continue his studies at Oregon State University and assist in the operations of his family's business, Roats Water System, Inc. in Bend, Oregon. As he leaves our nation's capital, I wish Casey well in his future endeavors, and I know that his intelligence and discipline will bring him success in whatever calling he answers. Casey was raised in Bend, Oregon, growing up in a family with indelible ties to central Oregon. He is, in short, a son of the American west. As a youngster he developed an interest in horsemanship, where he excelled as he does in every pursuit that I have witnessed him attempt. Casey's success in rodeo competitions provided him with the resources to attend his first year of college at Oregon State University. The travel required by these competitions allowed Casey to become familiar with much of eastern Oregon, which strengthened both his ties to the land and his appreciation for the western way of life. Moreover, his intimate knowledge of the issues that are so important to the people of Oregon has made him an invaluable asset during his tenure in my office. Mr. Speaker, Casey's early involvement with the Oregon chapter of Future Farmers of America provided a foundation of civic participation that he continues to build upon. His contributions to the Mountain View Chapter and the Central Oregon District soon earned statewide attention, and Casey was elected Vice-President of the Oregon Future Farmers of America for the 1999-2000 term. Throughout his internship, Casey has endeavored to learn more about his native state, as well as the workings of the federal government. His interest in the latter has been insatiable, leading him to pepper my staff with thoughtful questions about how things work in Washington, D.C. and why. His fascination with the legislative process, coupled with a firm ideological underpinning, promises to carry him far in the arena of public service if he chooses to embark on such a career. Mr. Speaker, Casey exudes competence, and he welcomed visitors to my office with the same friendly and forthright manner that is so common of Oregonians. My trust in him to complete tasks flawlessly and without supervision was vindicated time and time again. My staff reports that Casey ranks among the finest items ever to serve in my congressional office. Simply put, Casey was a delight to work with and always demonstrated a high level of professionalism and attention to detail during his service on Capitol Hill. It goes without saying that Casey will be difficult to replace. While I am deeply sorry to see him leave, I am confident that he will continue to make central Oregon proud in whatever career he chooses in the future. Thank you, Casey, for a job well done.

Mr. WALDEN of Oregon

Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity to speak in favor of H.R. 1883. This legislation would authorize the Secretary of the Interior to engage in a feasibility investigation for the Burnt, Malheur, Owyhee River basins in eastern Oregon. It is the next step in the United States Bureau of Reclamation process now that their initial study has been completed. The United States Bureau of Reclamation's earlier studies examined problems associated with such issues as excess nutrients in surface water, sedimentation, high-water temperatures, degraded fish habitat, low-stream flows and lack of adequate stream- side vegetation. The feasibility study that H.R. 1883 authorizes would help find the most logical approaches to address these issues. Mr. Speaker, the farmers and ranchers are the driving force behind this legislation. As they have proven over and over again, it is the farmers and ranchers who are some of our strongest environmentalists. They care deeply about the land and water that they use to grow the crops that feed us all. This bill will set a process in motion that will allow the farmers to leave more water in stream while maintaining their current yields. The bill is supported by the Burnt River Irrigation District, the Power Valley Water Control District, the Baker Valley Irrigation District, the Owyhee Irrigation District, the Owyhee Ditch Company, the Vale Oregon Irrigation District, and the Warm Springs Irrigation District. It is a simple, straightforward bill that deserves our support. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his support of the legislation. I appreciate the assistance of the minority in helping us move this bill forward. It will be good for fish. It will be good for farmers. I urge passage of the bill. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1883) to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a feasibility study on water optimization in the Burnt River basin, Malheur River basin, Owyhee River basin, and Powder River basin, Oregon.