[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 23 (Wednesday, March 6, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E277]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  CLUB 20 STARTING SECOND HALF-CENTURY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MARK UDALL

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 5, 2002

  Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Club 20 
as it starts its second half-century as a forum and advocate for 
Colorado's majestic western slope region.
  Founded in 1953 by the publisher of the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel 
and a number of business leaders, Club 20 took its name from the 20 
counties from which its original membership came. Now it includes 22 
counties, 75 incorporated cities and towns, the Southern Ute and Ute 
Mountain Ute Indian Tribes, 40 chambers of commerce, a number of 
special districts, and hundreds of businesses and individuals.
  In its 50 years of service, Club 20 has been an active participant in 
lively debates about issues important to the economic vitality and 
quality of life in the communities of the western slope. From 
transportation, health care and other social services to the whole 
range of issues related to federal lands--which make up a large share 
of this region--Club 20 has been an effective advocate for its members. 
It has worked to identify issues of concern, inform its members about 
them, develop as great a degree of consensus as possible regarding ways 
to address those issues, and, most importantly, communicate to elected 
officials and others to make sure the voice of its members are heard on 
important policy matters.
  As part of its work, Club 20 members make an annual visit to the 
nation's capital to meet with Members of Congress and their staffs and 
officials of the Executive Branch. These trips help inform people in 
Washington about the issues affecting western Colorado and the views of 
its citizens. They help us better understand how issues are affecting 
western Coloradans--people who are directly affected by federal 
decisions on public lands, agriculture, transportation, rural social 
services, and water as well as other issues. These direct contacts put 
a human face on the issues and are very valuable for all of us who work 
on these matters.
  I ask all our colleagues to join me in congratulating Club 20 for its 
successful 50 years and in wishing them continued success for the next 
50 years and beyond.

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