[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 51 (Wednesday, March 25, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E764]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           OWYHEE INITIATIVE

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                        HON. MICHAEL K. SIMPSON

                                of idaho

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 25, 2009

  Mr. SIMPSON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Senator 
Crapo for his efforts in creating Idaho's newest wilderness areas in 
the Owyhee region of Southwestern Idaho. The designation of wilderness 
in Idaho is long overdue, as it has been nearly thirty years since the 
late Senator Frank Church created the River of No Return Wilderness.
  I applaud the Senator for having the patience and perseverance to 
develop the compromises he has made with numerous ranchers, county 
officials, sportsman groups and conservation groups. The years of 
effort he put into creating this legislation are a testament to just 
how special these lands are. It is assured that Idahoans will be 
enjoying these unspoiled vistas and areas for generations to come.
  There are numerous individuals in Idaho to congratulate for their 
hard work. I won't name them all, but Fred Grant, Chad Gibson, Brenda 
Richards and Craig Gherke put a lot of effort into this process. In 
addition, John Hoehne and Layne Bangerter of Senator Crapo's staff did 
tremendous staff work on the ground in Idaho. If they and so many 
others didn't commit themselves to the Owyhee initiative, there would 
have been nothing to work with here in D.C.
  Finally, I saw first hand here in Washington how this legislation 
could not have been completed without the efforts of Peter Fischer on 
Senator Crapo's staff, David Brooks on Senator Bingaman's staff, and 
Marcia Argust with the Campaign for America's Wilderness. Their 
commitment and belief in the product developed in Idaho made it 
possible for this legislation to move forward.
  Idaho can be proud of the work that Senator Crapo, his staff and its 
stakeholders have done in creating the Owyhee legislation.

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