72 



Senator Bumpers. Senator Murkowski, let me say at this point, 

 we have a very tight schedule. We have been here for an hour and 

 twenty minutes. I think you will agree that I have been extremely 

 patient and courteous and leaned over backwards to be fair on this 

 Tongass legislation both last year and as I intend to be this year. 



I know how strongly you and Senator Stevens both feel about 

 this, and Congressman Young has now joined us and we welcome 

 you, Congressman Young, but we are going to have to now move 

 this hearing along, and I am going to have to make some decisions 

 I would rather not make about questioning and so on, and I am 

 going to even ask Senator Wirth, who feels just as strongly on the 

 other side, if he will cut his opening statement, and Senator Burns 

 to cut his opening statement, and make them as short as possible. 



We have people who have come down here from Alaska who may 

 not be able to be heard today, and while I am chairman of this sub- 

 committee, time constraints are tough around here. There are 

 three other subcommittees I am supposed to be in right now, plus 

 the full Appropriations Committee at 11:00 a.m., so without be- 

 laboring it further I am going to say, we are going to have to move 

 this hearing along. 



I am going to do my very best to get these hearings held. I have 

 tried to accommodate you, Senator Murkowski by either going to 

 Alaska or letting Senator Wirth go to Alaska and making sure 

 those people are heard, but I am going to insist that we move this 

 legislation either for or against, or some form of a compromise this 

 year. I am quite frankly saying, we have had this legislation 

 around a long time now, and it is time we get these hearings held 

 and get the mark up and find out where the votes are. 



Senator Murkowski. I would be happy to help you chair if there 

 is any question about your time commitments. 



Senator Bumpers. I appreciate that. Senator Wirth? 



Senator Wirth. I appreciate your holding this hearing and want- 

 ing to move it along, and would ask unanimous consent that my 

 opening statement and the statement that I made in the introduc- 

 tion of the legislation be included. 



Senator Bumpers. Let me do something before I forget it. Sena- 

 tor Johnston gave me a statement, and without objection I am 

 going to enter that statement in the record, along with a statement 

 from Senator Wallop and Congressman Mrazek. 



[The statements follow:] 



