PRESS RELEASE:

Congressman Walden to Visit Jackson, Klamath Counties on April 20 & 21

Events and meetings to cover county payments reauthorization, economic development, renewable land management and other key issues

April 13, 2006

WASHINGTON, DC - During the final two days of a two-week, 13-county and 55-event swing throughout central, eastern and southern Oregon, U.S. Congressman Greg Walden (R-OR) will be traveling to Jackson and Klamath Counties to meet with local community leaders, county commissioners, and area residents.  During his meetings in southern Oregon, Walden will discuss reauthorization of the critical county payments law, renewable energy, economic development, land management and water resource issues. 

These visits are part of Walden's 269^th round trip between Oregon and Washington, D.C. since taking office in 1999.  His schedule is as follows:

THURSDAY, APRIL 20

JACKSON COUNTY

WHITE CITY - 9:15-10:15 AM: Congressman Walden will visit the Southern Oregon Rehabilitation Center and Clinics (SORCCC), formerly known as the White City Domiciliary, for a tour of the facilities and to receive an update on SORCC programs and successes from Director Max McIntosh, Associate Director Carol Bogedain, Chief of Staff Dr. Andrew Mebane and Director of Nursing Karen Allen.  Congressman Walden was an ardent supporter of successful efforts to keep the facility open during the Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services (CARES) process in 2004 and has been an active supporter of VA health care issues during his time in the Congress.  Walden will also use this opportunity to commend the SORCC staff in person for their dedication to patient care, which recently earned the facility extremely high marks on a survey of patient experiences.  Location: SORCC, 8495 Crater Lake Highway.   

KLAMATH COUNTY

KLAMATH FALLS - Noon-1:30 PM: Congressman Walden, vice chair of the bipartisan House Renewable Energy Caucus, will join members of the Klamath County Economic Development Association (KCEDA), including Executive Director Trey Senn, for a lunch meeting to discuss renewable energy options throughout Klamath County and their role in economic development.  Potential renewable energy development options in the County include wind, solar, geothermal, biomass and others.  Walden has been a strong advocate for enhanced development of alternative fuel and energy sources to help reduce our nation's dependence on foreign oil while benefiting the environment.  Also joining Walden at the lunch will be State Senator Doug Whitsett, State Representatives Bill Garrard and George Gilman, Commissioners Brad Winters and Al Switzer, City Councilor Bud Hart, various business leaders already engaged in renewable energy efforts, and Larry Holzgang of the Oregon Economic Community Development Department.  Location: Klamath County Courthouse, 316 Main Street, Room 20.

3:00-4:15 PM: Congressman Walden will meet with the Klamath County Board of Commissioners and mayors from cities throughout the County to discuss current issues before the Congress impacting the region and to get an update on local efforts county leaders are engaged in.  Topics of conversation will range from reauthorization of the critical county payments law, possible expansion of the Air National Guard at Kingsley Field, transportation projects, salmon and water issues, and public lands management.  Location: Klamath County Government Center, 305 Main Street, Room214.

Congressman Walden's previous events and meetings during the House of Representatives' April District Work Period took him to Morrow, Umatilla, Union, Wallowa, Baker, Malheur, Grant, Harney, Deschutes, Jefferson and Wasco Counties

Congressman Walden is in his fourth term representing the people of Oregon's Second Congressional District, which includes 20 counties in southern, central and eastern Oregon.  He is a member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce as well as the Committee on Resources.