Robert Smith: “I am pleased to speak to the Senate today in strong support of S. 1608, the Secure Rural Schools and Community…”

“I am pleased to speak to the Senate today in strong support of S. 1608, the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-determination Act of 2000. As an original co-sponsor of this legislation, I commend Senator Craig and Senator Wyden for their leadership in crafting a bill which brings all sides of the issue together. I want to take a minute to salute Oregon's county commissioners, who kept this issue on top of their priority list, and who made frequent trips to meetings in Oregon and here in Washington, D.C. to make sure this legislation moved forward. Oregon is a remarkably diverse state, but as I have traveled throughout Oregon, I hear the same thing in each of our 36 counties--and that's the fact that passage of S. 1608 is their number one priority. I also want to thank President Clinton for his statement that he will sign this legislation when it reaches his desk. S. 1608 re-establishes the federal government's compact with rural communities--one that dates back to the early days of settlement in the West--while providing much needed funding for environmentally sound, locally developed projects to restore the health of federal watersheds and forests. Perhaps more importantly, this bill will ensure that the federal government provides fair compensation to local governments so that they in turn will be able to meet their communities' needs for schools and roads.”