March 17, 2008 - HOOD RIVER, Ore. -
Congressman Walden is in the midst of a 1,600-mile swing through eastern, central and southern Oregon as part of his regular visits to the 20 counties of the Second District. Just four weeks ago he completed another extensive, 1,100-mile, nine-county swing across the Second District.
 
Monday, March 17
 
UMATILLA COUNTY
 
Hermiston – 9:45 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.
Location: 950 SE Columbia Drive, Hermiston
Congressman Walden will hear about local economic development efforts when he visited the Hermiston One-Stop Center. On February 26, he met with Oregon Consortium and Oregon Workforce Alliance representatives, and expressed an interest in visiting the center in Hermiston. He recently visited Blue Mountain Community College to tour the Diesel Technologies Program, which is training tomorrow’s workforce with the skills needed to attain good-paying jobs.
 
Pendleton – Noon – 1 p.m.
Location: Pendleton Elk’s Lodge, 14 SE 3rd Street
Congressman Walden was invited to deliver a congressional update to the Pendleton Rotary, and touch on issues such as local job and economic development, renewable energy development, forest health, the farm bill, and fighting meth before taking questions.
 
MORROW COUNTY
 
Boardman – 2 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Location: Collins Companies Boardman Mill Site – Pacific Albus Farm
Congressman Walden will visit the Collins Mill in Boardman to discuss their pro-green approach to farming high-yield and fast-growing Pacific Albus under the management of GreenWood Resources. The facility is certified as sustainable by the Forest Stewardship Council. The new plant, which is scheduled to be completed in April 2008, is a $175 million project that will create 80 new jobs.
 
Tuesday, March 18
 
CROOK COUNTY
 
Prineville – Noon – 1:30 p.m.
Location: Barney Prine's Steakhouse and Saloon, 380 N Main St, Prineville
Congressman Walden was invited to deliver a congressional update to the Crook County Rotary. Along with making an announcement about a new veterans policy initiative he’s getting set to lead, Congressman Walden will touch on issues such as local job and economic development, rural health care, renewable energy development, and forest health before taking questions from the audience.
 
DESCHUTES COUNTY
 
Bend – 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Location: Microsemi Power Products, 405 SW Columbia St., Bend
The Power Products Group (PPG) of Microsemi Corporation, headquartered in Bend, was awarded a $1.6 million contract in October 2007 by the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory to develop components for lighter, more efficient avionics, radar, and communication systems. Congressman Walden will take a first-hand look at what the federal investment is producing and how it’s helping develop the local economy. The project’s results will be used on planes such as the F-15E, F/A-18, F-22, and F-35. Microsemi invited Congressman Walden to tour the facility and discuss the project’s local economic impact. The facility currently employs about 160 people.
 
Thursday, March 20
 
JACKSON COUNTY
 
Medford – 9 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
315 Boardman Street, Medford
Congressman Walden, co-chair of the House Northwest Energy Caucus and vice-chair of the House Renewable Energy Caucus, will meet with RHT Energy Solutions, a company which advises businesses on how to cut energy costs. RHT Solutions will show Congressman Walden their new solar installation, where the meter is running backward and selling power to the grid. The overall concept is that smart energy efficiency and conservation can boost production. RHT employs six highly-trained and experienced engineers and technicians.
 
As a member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce and Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming, Congressman Walden is actively highlighting efforts in Oregon that curb energy use and promote sustainable energy products.
 
JOSEPHINE COUNTY
 
Grants Pass – Noon – 1:20 p.m.
JJ North's Grand Buffet, 1150 NE E St., Grants Pass
Congressman Walden has been invited to give a congressional update to the Grants Pass Zonta Club. Among other topics, he’ll discuss forest health, local economic development, and renewable energy development before taking questions from the audience.
 
Grants Pass – 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
1462 NE Elizabeth Place, Grants Pass
Congressman Walden will meet with Evergreen Federal Bank President/CEO Brady Adams and others to visit the site of a home that was built and sold through Homeward Dreams, a workforce housing program. During the visit, Congressman Walden will be introduced to a selection of Evergreen’s key program partners, be provided an overview of Homeward Dreams mechanics, go on a tour of the home with its owners, and see how he can further help those efforts. Last year, Congressman Walden voted for the National Affordable Housing Trust Fund Act (H.R. 2895), which would improve or help build 1.5 million affordable housing units.