[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 118 (Friday, August 19, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: August 19, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
            ADMINISTRATION EFFORTS IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST

  Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, it is easy to blame the current 
administration for timber problems in the Pacific Northwest--the White 
House has taken a bold initiative where another administration turned 
its back. My colleagues forget that the timber problems in the Pacific 
Northwest began during the Reagan years and culminated during the Bush 
administration when sales stopped in 1991. Timber sales resumed within 
a year of the Clinton administration.
  Under the Republican watch, the Forest Service led the communities of 
the Pacific Northwest off a cliff. It was a shame. It was even more 
unfortunate that President Bush refused to do anything when the cut on 
public lands dropped to almost nothing. I share people's frustration, 
but ask them to blame the perpetrators if they are still looking for 
someone to blame. Do not blame the good people working hard to fix the 
problem.
  Tom Tuchmann, White House Director for Forest and Economic 
Development, is one of the hard working people who has dedicated 
himself to finding a solution. He has compassion for the rural 
lifestyles of forest dependent communities, skill at bringing diverse 
perspectives to the table, and a commitment to making forest economics 
work. He successfully strengthened Vermont's forest economy when he 
worked on my Agricultural Committee staff, and he has devoted over 4 
years to resolving the problems of the Northwest.
  It is unfortunate that one Senator chooses to characterize this 
champion of sustainable forest as one who demonizes timber workers and 
advocates no logging. I regret that my colleague continues to polarize 
the debate with extreme and untruthful invectives.
  The administration, including Mr. Tuchmann, was dealt a bad hand in 
the Pacific Northwest. I believe they are doing an excellent job under 
dismal circumstances. The region should not expect a royal flush when 
President Bush left only half a hand.

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