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state. I guess I figure that's what the people elect 

 Senators and Representatives for, and I'm just not 

 confident enough about my knowledge of another state to 

 get involved in their affairs - hell, my people have 

 problems that need solving that take all of my time, 

 without me going around looking to solve other folk's 

 problems. That's why I'm glad this panel is listening to 

 me today. 



I support the bill introduced by Senators Frank 

 Murkowski and Ted Stevens to treat the Tongass National 

 Forest like all other national forests in the annual 

 appropriations process. Since December 2, 1980, when 

 President Carter signed the Alaska Lands Act into law, I 

 have been told by supporters of change on the Tongass 

 that this was the major objection with management there. 

 By placing the Tongass in the annual appropriations 

 process. Congress can increase oversight, exercise funding 

 discretion, and ensure that monies are being spent 

 consistent with Congressional intent. There is a reason 

 for the automatic funding, as Senator Stevens will tell you, 

 but the constant harping on this point combined with 

 deliberate misinformation spread by wilderness advocacy 

 groups has made the defense of this provision 

 burdensome and has by design, distracted many from the 



