Walden Reappointed to Chairmanship of Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health

NEWS RELEASE: Congressman Walden's Office 1/26/05

Resources Subcommittee responsible for shaping nation’s forestry policies; continued leadership beneficial to Oregon, Northwest

WASHINGTON, DC – The Chairman of the House Committee on Resources, Representative Richard Pombo (R-CA), today announced that U.S. Congressman Greg Walden (R-OR) will retain his chairmanship of the Resources Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health, which is responsible for shaping the nation’s forest policy.  Walden became subcommittee chair in March 2004 after former Representative Scott McInnis (R-CO) stepped down.  His appointment to the chairmanship of the panel is effective immediately.

“It’s hard to overstate how important forestry policy is to the people of Oregon and the Pacific Northwest,” said Walden.  “As the representative of a district that includes 11 national forests, few issues are as important to me as ensuring the sound management of America’s forestlands.  I was proud to have helped lead the effort to pass the Healthy Forests Restoration Act in 2003, but much work remains to reduce the threats of catastrophic wildfire, insect infestation and disease in our forests.  This position will allow me to influence a number of issues of importance to the Second District, such as reauthorizing the County School and Roads bill, providing federal land managers the tools needed to effectively and efficiently restore forestlands after a catastrophic event, and many other issues within the subcommittee’s jurisdiction.”

Walden continued, “I’m grateful to Chairman Pombo for this continued opportunity.  I look forward to building on the Subcommittee’s successes, and working with my colleagues, as well as Chairman Pombo, as we continue to advance smart public policy beneficial to our nation’s forests.”

Walden has been widely recognized as a leader in Congress on forestry issues.  In 2003 he co-authored the bipartisan Healthy Forests Restoration Act (HR 1904) with McInnis.  The Healthy Forests legislation, which authorizes expedited treatment of 20 million acres of forestland, is considered the most significant reform to forest management policy in a generation. 

Chairman Pombo thanked Walden for his strong leadership on forestry issues and congratulated him on his renewed chairmanship.

"No member of the House or Senate holds a candle to Greg Walden when it comes to national forest management policy," he said.  "As the author of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act, this subcommittee gavel is definitely in the best hands possible.  Greg is an incredibly dedicated and accomplished lawmaker.  The American people can continue to expect great things from him."

Additionally, Walden serves on the Energy and Commerce Subcommittees on Energy and Air Quality, Telecommunications and the Internet, and Oversight and Investigations, of which he is vice chair.

Congressman Walden represents the Second Congressional District of Oregon, which includes 20 counties in southern, central and eastern Oregon.  He is a Deputy Whip in the House leadership structure and a member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce as well as the Committee on Resources.