Political Quotes

“I rise in defense of the people of the 2nd District of Maine, and especially the loggers, the farmers, and the fishermen of Washington County. Unemployment there recently nudged above 10 percent. The traditional uses of land, the jobs they depend upon, and the families that need those paychecks are under fire. I have to take a stand on their behalf. This amendment gets at the issue at heart, to be able to have a response to Federal action that is being taken in terms of listing. It gives the people of Washington County and the people of eastern Maine an opportunity for their day in court. They cannot afford to have expensive attorneys on retainers for long periods of time. This amendment allows them to have that process, to be expedited, to be able to be heard. It gets at exactly the issue before us: Federal action, Federal Court, expedited review. Mr. Chairman, my constituents feel besieged by a Federal proposal to list as endangered Atlantic salmon in the rivers of the region. A listing would strain the economy which is based on natural resources. Moreover, the listing threat is unwarranted on the merits. It lacks sound science, and it fails to recognize strong state and local conservation efforts.”