Before the full House of Representatives, Congressman Walden delivers speech outlining what is at stake for Wasco County

February 5, 2007 - WASHINGTON, D.C. -
Congressman Greg Walden (R-Ore.) today addressed the House of Representatives to explain the dire consequences facing Wasco County should funding for the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act be discontinued. Walden and Congressman Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.) introduced H.R. 17 on January 4, the first day of the 110th Congress, a bill which would reauthorize the Act for seven years. The Act expired in September 2006, and without prompt reauthorization and funding, approximately 4,400 school districts in 615 counties in 39 states will have essential federal funding severed.
 
The speech before the House, the ninth in a series of 18 that will each day focus on a specific county in Oregon’s Second Congressional District that receives funds from the essential program, follows:
 
“Madam Speaker. The failure of Congress to reauthorize the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act amounts to a breach of faith to more than 600 forested counties and 4,400 school districts across America.
 
“For Wasco County, Oregon, this means cutting core school programs, removing the one detective from the drug enforcement taskforce, and losing 40% of the road department employees.
 
“In his own words, Sheriff Rick Eiesland said: ‘Losing these funds will leave a huge void in our fight against illegal drug activity and we would also be forced to cut our contract with the Forrest Service for patrol in the federal lands.’
 
“School Superintendent Candy Armstrong says: ‘Rural schools have nowhere else to cut except core services. Lost funding represents the entire high school math program.’
 
“Judge Dan Ericksen says: ‘Roads are the life blood of rural America and losing this funding is the equivalent of applying tourniquets to our arms and legs. We will no longer be able to function.’
 
“My colleagues, Congress must keep the Federal Government's word to timbered communities and pass HR 17. Time is running out for them.”

For more information on the county payments effort and for video of the speeches, please click here.
 
Congressman Walden represents 20 counties in central, southern and eastern Oregon.