[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 17972-17973]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



          HONORING THE STAFF OF THE OREGON FARM SERVICE AGENCY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. GREG WALDEN

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 25, 2001

  Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
extraordinary efforts of the Oregon Farm Service Agency staff as they 
assist the farmers of the Klamath Basin in dealing with the crisis that 
arose earlier this year from the denial of irrigation water by the 
federal government.
  In April of this year the Bureau of Reclamation announced that, based 
on biological opinions rendered by the National Marine Fisheries 
Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the farmers of the Klamath 
Basin would be denied irrigation water for agriculture from Upper 
Klamath Lake. This decision, coupled with a severe drought in the 
region, has subjected local farmers to extreme financial hardship. The 
devastating combination of drought and poor management decisions by the 
federal government has literally put the future of their way of life in 
doubt, as farming as it has existed in the Basin for over 100 years has 
virtually ceased.
  Long before the full impact of this decision upon Klamath Basin 
farmers was understood, the Oregon Farm Service Agency was hard at work 
in delivering relief, guidance, and information to those affected. 
State Executive Director Larry Frey was in touch with my office almost 
immediately. He and his exceptionally competent staff made themselves 
available at any time, day or night, to keep me informed. They worked 
tirelessly to identify federal programs to help the farmers survive 
this season.
  Mr. Speaker, on July 20, 2001, the Congress passed a partial relief 
measure of $20 million to be disbursed to the devastated Klamath Basin 
farmers. The Klamath County office of the Oregon Farm Service Agency is 
now in the process of signing up farmers for that relief. Manning their 
offices in Klamath Falls from before dawn until late into the evening, 
they are dispatching the requests for relief quickly and efficiently. 
This is just the latest effort in a long-standing record of outstanding 
service to farmers by the Klamath Falls office, which is headed by 
County Executive Director Denise Martin. Denise's unflagging efforts 
serve as an inspiring example of a federal employee going the extra 
mile to meet the needs of her clients with compassion and 
professionalism.
  Denise Martin would be the first to tell you that she has not 
delivered this tremendous service alone. Indeed, she has been assisted 
by a staff whose effectiveness is matched only by its dedication to the 
farmers of the Basin. Throughout this crisis she has relied heavily on 
fellow professionals Harvey Bush, Josh Hanning, and Kristen Bingaman. 
Additionally, the efforts of Anna Flemming, Linda Watson, Lindsay 
Miles, Dorothy Scull, and Rowena Chase have been invaluable to the 
operations of the Klamath Falls Office.
  An effort of this magnitude, which has entailed many weeks of 13-hour 
days, could not

[[Page 17973]]

proceed as smoothly as it has without the help of Farm Service Agency 
staff members brought in from all over the State of Oregon. These 
talented and committed individuals assisting the Klamath Falls office 
are: Lois Loop, Janice Knutz, Linda Miller, Kelsey Hanning, Toni 
Williams, Ilene Berry, Patti Anderson, Charley Newhouse, Alycia McCord, 
Marty Hamilton, Bret Harris, and Lee Go.
  Delivering these urgently needed funds to Klamath Basin farmers in a 
fair, accurate, and efficient manner is a monumental task. What makes 
this effort even more remarkable is the fact that the program for 
disbursing the funds, designed by State Office Specialist Fred Ringer, 
does not require one dime in administrative fees for the Farm Service 
Agency.
  Mr. Speaker, we should all take pride in this selfless group of 
federal workers whose tireless efforts have made the difference between 
despair and hope for so many of the farmers in the Klamath Basin. They 
truly represent the best of what our government stands for. Their 
hearts are guided by compassion and they have the personal commitment 
to do their job to the fullest, regardless of the extreme effort 
required. I offer them both my praise and my most sincere gratitude for 
caring for the farmers in the Klamath Basin who have faced such 
significant trials.
  Many hurdles remain in the path of Klamath farmers, and I am 
delighted that the Oregon Farm Service Agency will be working with us 
throughout the challenges that lie ahead.

                          ____________________