Congratulations on assuming this. You are the right person for this job, and I am grateful.

I am optimistic, as I said. Again, this is a legacy that is the envy of the world.

The thing I find most interesting is that the forest and timber industry provides about $9 billion in economic impact to the state.

I look forward to a productive discussion on how we can be certain the Forest Service is doing everything within reason to produce a stronger rural America.

My focus is to ensure that Federal funding for state and private forestry is well-spent.

You can have your cake and eat it too if we do it right in terms of managing these resources.

It has been obvious since you came to Congress, you have been a champion of rural issues, rural America, and done it in a positive, visionary way.

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We can look to the future on biomass and value-added products, at the same time keeping that legacy of outdoor usage.

I can tell you from being around here, that is an unusual and a very appreciated gesture and it shows his concern.

Well, I am grateful for that, and our public land legacy is the envy of the world, so I appreciate the work you are doing, and I yield back.