[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 114 (Wednesday, September 3, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H6722]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




URGING CORRECTION OF FEDERAL JUDGE'S DECISION REGARDING FORESTS IN EAST 
                                 TEXAS

  (Mr. BRADY asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. BRADY. Mr. Speaker, during the district work period this August, 
my wife and I spent a few days among the beautiful forests in our 
national parks, but I am deeply disturbed by a decision, another out 
test decision by a Federal judge in Beaumont, who decreed because he 
disagreed with how our Forest Service is managing parts of the lands in 
Texas, he called and ordered an injunction, halted all logging among 
our east Texas forests.
  This action, irresponsible and damaging, not only causes the Federal 
Government to fault on our contracts to small businesses, it has 
stopped our small businesses in Texas affiliated with lumber and 
timber. It is hurting the counties, 12 east Texas counties. They rely 
upon that $4 million to help balance their budget every year. And, in 
fact, it is an impediment to those of us who seek a balance among our 
environmental assets, who seek to have a forest and parks and lands in 
our country that is properly managed. It is a disturbing action by a 
Federal judge and one we ought to take action to correct.

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