PRESS RELEASE
Smith Urges Swift Senate Action
on Healthy Forests Restoration Act

 
           July 24, 2003 WASHINGTON, DC- Today, the Senate Agriculture Committee
passed by voice vote the Healthy Forests Restoration Act (H.R. 1904),
legislation designed to address the extreme danger posed by catastrophic
wildfire in the West.  The bill passed the House of Representatives on
May 20th.  Senator Gordon Smith (R-OR) issued the following statement
urging swift action on the bill:  
 
            "The Healthy Forests Restoration Act effectively addresses
imminent forest health issues nationwide, and provides critical help to
the forests, communities and economy of Oregon.  The Act already passed
the House by a wide margin and it is supported by the president.  Now
the Senate must do its part and pass this bipartisan bill before we lose
any more of our forests to wildfire."