[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 18 (Tuesday, January 30, 2007)]
[House]
[Page H991]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        FEDERAL TIMBER POLICY SHATTERED HARNEY COUNTY'S ECONOMY

  (Mr. WALDEN of Oregon asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Madam Speaker, the failure of Congress to 
reauthorize the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination 
Act is another day with another broken promise.
  When the Federal Government abruptly slashed timber harvest, the 
economy in Harney County, Oregon, population about 7,000, nearly 
collapsed. Hundreds of family-wage jobs were lost; 78 percent of the 
land mass in Harney County is controlled by the Federal Government so 
the government's decision had a dramatic effect on the people who live 
there.
  In 2000, Congress did the right thing by approving the county 
payments program which in Harney County supports roads, community 
services, and Burns High School where 60 percent of the student body 
takes vocational classes.
  Take Jim Gibbon, a Burns High graduate and 4-year vocational classes 
participant. Through that learning, he is now co-owner of Burns Ford 
and they employ 20 people.
  County Judge Steve Grasty says, ``Loss of this program means losing 
future opportunities for young people here and in rural counties across 
America.''
  This Congress must keep the Federal Government's word to timber 
communities and pass H.R. 17. Time is running out.

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