Bob Beauprez: “I appreciate the chairman. I will be brief. I respect and appreciate the effort put forth by both the minority as well…”

“I appreciate the chairman. I will be brief. I respect and appreciate the effort put forth by both the minority as well as the majority side of the committee on this issue. But with all due respect, I would point out again that the private sector, and a very large private sector, supports our arts industry. The public sector, we in government, have an obligation to look after the government's assets and people's lives, and that is what is at stake with this amendment. With all due respect to the comments that have already been made, no one looks after our national forests other than we in government, and I would encourage both the chairman and the ranking member at the next opportunity to come out to the West and visit and see the devastation the pine beetle damage has created in our forests. We are sitting literally on a matchbox awaiting someone to light the first match. I urge the adoption of this amendment. I think it is common sense. I think it is about us in government establishing priorities to protect and defend our Nation's assets and our citizens' lives. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time. The Acting CHAIRMAN (Mr. Bishop of Utah). The gentleman from North Carolina has 1\1/2\ minutes remaining.”