[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 161 (Monday, December 15, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S12718-S12719]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      RECOGNITION OF WILFRED WOODS

 Mr. GORTON. I would like to call attention to Wilfred Woods, 
who has recently announced he will step down as the publisher of the 
Wenatchee World newspaper after 47 years. Wilfred is the son of Rufus 
Woods, who purchased the Wenatchee Daily World in 1907, and was one of 
the earliest promoters of the Grand Coulee Dam project. Beginning in 
1918, Rufus used the pages of the newspaper to promote the concept of 
using the Columbia River for hydroelectric power as well as for 
irrigation of the fertile but arid Columbia Basin. Half a million acres 
are irrigated by the Columbia Basin project. This valuable irrigation 
project allowed the central Washington desert to bloom and is 
responsible for producing the valley known as the Apple Capital of the 
World.
  Wilfred Woods and his late father, Rufus, have played significant 
roles in the development of central Washington during their 90 years of 
service. Wilfred succeeded his father as editor and publisher in 1950 
and has been an active advocate for resource and economic development 
in central Washington. He served as a State parks commissioner, a 
trustee for Central Washington University, and in various capacities in 
countless civic organizations.
  Wilfred's son, Rufus, will now become the editor and publisher of the 
Wenatchee World and carry on the great traditions of his father and 
grandfather.
  Wilfred has been a great personal friend of mine for more than 30 
years, dating back to the time I first ran for Washington State 
attorney general. I have always valued his wisdom, foresight, and the 
manner in which he and

[[Page S12719]]

his father guided the Wenatchee World to become one of the State's 
finest daily newspapers. Wilfred and his father were truly part of a 
legendary experience that has forever changed the political and 
economic landscape of north-central Washington. While the Woods family 
will be remembered most for their influence over the management of the 
Columbia River system, I will remember Wilfred as a true friend. During 
my years of touring Washington State for various political engagements 
and meetings, I always looked forward to my stop in Wilfred's newsroom 
and valued our countless conversations, whether we were in agreement or 
not. I will miss our exchange of ideas and his insights into the 
central Washington community. I wish him continued success in future 
endeavors.

                          ____________________