Tongass, including timber company representatives, environmen- 

 talists, mill workers, and many, many others. 



While these individuals might propose dramatically different so- 

 lutions to the Tongass issue, they almost all agree that what is 

 needed most in Southeast Alaska is certainty. 



With that in mind, I am committed to a speedy markup and floor 

 action for Tongass legislation, in hopes of getting to conference 

 with the House and resolving these issues once and for all. 



I would like to welcome all of the witnesses who will appear 

 before us today, particularly those who have made the long trip 

 from Alaska. I look forward to your testimony and, as staff I am 

 sure has asked each of you, we would like to hold the testimony to 

 five minutes, summarizing your written statement. Your written 

 statement will of course be put in the record. And with that, we 

 should have time for questions. I want to urge you all to respect 

 the 5-minute limit. 



At this time I will place a copy of H.R. 987 in the hearing record. 



[The text of H.R. 987 follows:] 



