Tom Udall: “let me first applaud the gentleman from California (Mr. Thompson), the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Inslee), and the…”

“let me first applaud the gentleman from California (Mr. Thompson), the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Inslee), and the gentleman from Maryland (Chairman Gilchrest) for their efforts on this important bill and for protecting this valuable resource. I am a strong supporter of H.R. 1157, the Pacific Salmon Recovery Act. This measure would provide significant assistance to the Northwestern States and tribal and local governments involved in salmon management recovery and conservation activities. The salmon populations are economic and wildlife resources whose preservation is our national responsibility. As such, the recovery of salmon populations in the Pacific Northwest is of great importance to the ecological, recreational, and economic future of the region. The recovery of our salmon populations are important to the once- thriving commercial salmon fishery business, which is dwindling as a result of a decline in salmon population. This has left the industry crippled. Thus, by protecting healthy salmon runs and those of other species, we can possibly revive what was once a sustainable fishing industry in the region.”