Wednesday,
February 7, 2007
Rep. Don Young's
Statement At Today's Natural Resources Committee Meeting
Source: US Congressman Don Young
"I want to welcome all of our Members here today, but most of all, I want to congratulate you (Chairman Nick Rahall) on being elected by the Members of your party to be the Chairman of the newly-named Natural Resources Committee.
"We are beginning our 31st year of service together on this Committee, and we've rode down a lot of trails here and on the Transportation Committee where we have always worked collaboratively. I'm happy my good friend has risen to the Chairmanship - it's a testament to your hard and steady work and your willingness to listen and to try to understand the diverse points of view and areas of the country represented by our Members.
"I hope we can find some common ground on which to work in this Congress. I know I intend to try. I also know that the Chairman enjoyed a good working relationship with former Chairman Pombo, and many times either found common ground on important issues or worked hard together to find that common ground. I pledge to work with you the way you worked with your predecessor.
"Some of our Members represent huge Districts with large amounts of federal land and very few people. Others represent small Districts with little or no federal land but lots of people living close together.
"Some of us represent Districts where everyone works in an office; others represent Districts where most people work outdoors and make a living with their hands. All of us have some of each. I hope all of us strive to work to better understand what makes each others' Districts so important to the Member who is elected by voters to represent them.
"I know the Chairman is a fierce defender of the good people of his District in West Virginia, and will do whatever it takes to defend their jobs, their culture and their way of life against those who think West Virginians should live their lives differently or make their livings differently.
"I feel the same way about Alaskans, and know each and every one of us thinks the same about our Districts and the people who live there. I know my friend cares about what those local people think and is more liable to listen to them and their representatives than he is those claiming to speak for them.
"That's part of why we get along, and I promise to make sure that we strive to get along by respecting one another's Districts.
"The responsibilities of this Committee are huge, and the ground we cover immense. From managing huge amounts of public lands and waters . . . to our insular areas and their relationships with their government . . . to our Indian and Alaska Native people . . . to much of our future energy resources . . . to our federal fish and wildlife programs . . . to our federal water projects . . . this Committee is in the thick of it.
"As a former Chairman of this Committee, I can tell you it is hard work to make good things happen. I know you know that, and look forward to working with my friend to see where we can find common ground."
For more information, access the Committee on Natural Resources' Minority website at:
http://republicans.resourcescommittee.house.gov/index.shtml
Contact:
Steve Hansen (Communications Director) (202) 225-7749
Meredith Kenny (Press Secretary/Rep. Don Young) (202) 225-5765