WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Congressman Greg Walden (R-OR) will visit Medford and Grants Pass from Thursday, February 19 through Saturday, February 21. His schedule for the three days follows.

10:30 AM to 10: 45 AM – Congressman Walden will meet with local high school student Josh Press, who has received an appointment to attend the U.S. Naval Academy. Press, a senior at St. Mary’s High School in Medford, was Walden’s primary nominee to the Naval Academy. Location: Congressman Walden’s Medford District Office, 843 East Main Street, Suite 400, Medford.

11:00 AM to 12:00 PM – Congressman Walden will serve as the keynote speaker at the Southern Oregon Agronomy Forum. The theme of the event is "Preserving Agriculture in America." More than 200 orchardists, farmers, wine grape growers, ranchers, and agriculture suppliers will be present at the event. Walden will discuss a number of issues before Congress relating to the future of agriculture in Oregon and across the nation. Location: Skyline Plaza, Rogue River Room 1 Skyline Drive, Medford.

12:00 PM to 1:30 PM – Congressman Walden will serve as the keynote speaker at a lunch meeting of the Quail Point Rotary Club. Walden will provide an update on recent developments in Congress, as well as brief club members on his October 2003 trip to Iraq. Following Walden’s remarks, a question and answer period will allow attendees to asks specific questions about issues of concern to them. Location: Skyline Plaza, Deschutes Room, 1 Skyline Plaza Drive, Medford.

1:45 PM to 2:45 PM – Congressman Walden will meet with Habitat for Humanity officials and tour the new Habitat for Humanity warehouse store, which opened in October 2003. Habitat for Humanity is an organization that provides affordable homeownership to low-income people living in substandard housing. The store sells used building materials for 30% to 50% below-market value. The new outlet provides a significant source of income to support organization's daily operations. Walden has long supported the mission of Habitat for Humanity and has taken part in Habitat building projects in the Columbia Gorge. Joining Walden will be store managers, members of the Habitat Board, and representatives of the Medford Housing Commission, Bank of America, the Medford City Council, and Rogue Valley Oregon Action. Location: 160 North Fir Street, Medford.

3:00 PM to 4:00 PM – Congressman Walden will meet with Bern Case, the Director of the Rogue Valley-Medford Airport, and the commissioners of Jackson County to receive an update on the expansion of airport facilities under the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airport Improvement Program (AIP). Planning is underway to replace the 50-year-old Medford airport terminal with a facility that will meet all city, county, Federal Aviation Administration, and Transportation Security Administration requirements. The Medford terminal is the oldest unimproved terminal in the state and is long overdue to be replaced. Improvements to parking, ticketing, baggage claim, and administrative spaces are planned. Location: Rogue Valley-Medford Airport, 6650 Biddle Road, Medford.

8:00 AM to 9:15 AM – Congressman Walden will attend a breakfast meeting with the Board of Directors of ACCESS, Inc., followed by a tour of the organization’s facilities.

ACCESS offers a variety of programs and community services that benefit low-income families, senior citizens and other local residents in need. These include a medical equipment loan program, nutrition programs, Junior Achievement, housing programs, energy and weatherization assistance, events and catering, and information referral services. Walden is an honorary board member of ACCESS. Location: Olsrud Family Nutrition Center, 3630 Aviation Way, Medford.

9:30 AM to 11:00 AM – Congressman Walden will take part in a tour of the Providence Health System’s Children's Health Clinic program and meet with administrators and health care providers associated with the program. Also sponsoring the tour will be the Healthcare Leadership Council. Walden was recently elected Co-Chairman of the bipartisan House Rural Health Care Coalition, a coalition of approximately 180 Members of Congress that is committed to advancing rural priorities in the shaping of health care policy. Location: 1111 Crater Lake Avenue, Medford.

11:45 AM to 1:30 PM – Congressman Walden will serve as the keynote speaker at a lunch meeting of the Medford Rogue Rotary Club. Walden will provide an update on recent developments in Congress, as well as brief club members on his October 2003 trip to Iraq. Following Walden’s remarks, a question and answer period will allow attendees to asks specific questions about issues of concern to them. Location: Red Lion, 200 North Riverside, Medford.

2:15 PM to 3:00 PM – Congressman Walden will participate in a meeting with members of the Association of Oregon and California Counties, as well as representatives of the counties that participated in the original Wildland Fire Resource and Inventory Study. Commissioners representing Douglas, Columbia, Jackson, Josephine, Klamath, Coos, Curry, Lane, Linn, and Tillamook counties have been invited to attend. Walden will deliver an update on the implementation of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act, including efforts to establish Community Fire Plans to allow local leaders to take advantage of new Healthy Forests provisions to protect communities from wildfire. Location: Ann Basker Auditorium, 604 NW 6^th Street, Grants Pass.

4:15 PM to 5:00 PM – Congressman Walden will present a check for $100,000 to the Boys and Girls Club from the Office of Juvenile Justice & Delinquency Prevention. After the check presentation, Walden will take a tour of the 31,000 square foot Boys and Girls Club facility, which is named in honor of the project’s most significant benefactors, Edward and Bernice Cleveland. Nearly 400 young people visit the club every day. Contributors to the club include the Grants Pass Fleet Reserve Association, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Meyer Memorial Trust. Location: 203 SE 9^th Street, Grants Pass.

TIME TO BE DETERMINED – Congressman Walden will likely take part in a public event at the White City Domiciliary, also known as the Southern Oregon Rehabilitation Center and Clinics (SORCC). Location: White City Dom.

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

###