[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 21 (Monday, February 5, 2007)]
[House]
[Page H1170]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  CONGRESSIONAL INACTION JEOPARDIZES WASCO COUNTY ROADS, SCHOOLS, AND 
                           POLICE PROTECTION

  (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 amounts to a breach of faith to more than 600 forested counties and 
4,400 school districts across our country. For Wasco County, Oregon, 
this means cutting core school programs, removing the one detective 
from the drug enforcement task force, and losing 40 percent of the road 
department employees.
  In their own words, Sheriff Rick Eisland says, ``Losing these funds 
will leave a huge void in our fight against illegal drug activity and 
we would also be forced to cut our contract with the Forest Service to 
patrol in the Federal lands.''
  School Superintendent Candy Armstrong says, ``Rural schools have 
nowhere else to cut except core services. Lost funding represents the 
entire high school math program.''
  And Judge Dan Ericksen says, ``Roads are the lifeblood of rural 
America, and losing this funding is the equivalent of applying 
tourniquets to our arms and legs. We will no longer be able to 
function.''
  My colleagues, Congress must keep the Federal Government's word to 
timber communities and pass H.R. 17. Time is running out.

                          ____________________