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I am here speaking to you today as an Alaskan and as a typical 

 Alaska Women in Timber member who is very concerned about the 

 future of my family and my friends who are employed, either di- 

 rectly or indirectly, in the timber industry. 



Alaska Women in Timber works for more public understanding 

 of the industry and the issues surrounding the forest harvest and 

 provides a supportive network for the people who work in the in- 

 dustry and live in the forest. 



We know that the forest land provides economic, environmental 

 and recreational benefits to every American. The forest gives us a 

 continuous supply of a renewable resources and the industry is a 

 highly responsible group whose very survival depends on its wise 

 use of our public land. We know that we practice good forest man- 

 agement and that the industry operates in harmony both with the 

 environment and with other industries. 



Logging is not new to us. Both my husband's family and mine 

 are long-time loggers. Our grandfathers and our fathers worked in 

 the industry. My husband started working in the woods when he 

 was sixteen. We were raised knowing we could make a good living 

 in the woods and that because trees are a renewable resource and 

 our forests are well-managed we will have trees for generations to 

 come. 



We had always wanted to come to Alaska, to the land of opportu- 

 nity. We knew that our lifestyle would change and we were willing 

 to make that change. 



My husband, who worked for a large timber company in Wash- 

 ington State, quit his job after 18 years. We sold our farm. Our 

 three children left the life they were accustomed to; they moved to 

 Alaska to our future. 



We now hunt and fish and camp and we do more activities with 

 our children. We have a closeness within our family that we did 

 not have before. We have seen whales, eagles, grizzly bear, black 

 bear and sea lions. We have enjoyed the beautiful sunrises and 

 sunsets. We thrive in the great outdoors and all that Alaska has to 

 offer, but now because of pending legislation our livelihood is being 

 threatened. What are we to do? Should we wait and see what will 

 happen and possibly be thrust into the unemployment lines or 

 should we and our friends move back to the lower 48? Are there 

 jobs for us in the timber industry? Timber is all we know. 



It was a big step to move to Alaska and we thought it was for the 

 betterment of our lives and family but the constant threat of losing 

 our jobs is not easy to live with. This is where we want to be and 

 where we want to stay. We need to know we will always have jobs 

 available for us in the timber industry. 



We all believe in multiple use of the forest and sound timber 

 management. We are not about to destroy what we love so dearly. 

 We are managing our forests for the future and we are proud of 

 the job we are doing. 



We hope you will consider us, the people who work and live in 

 the Tongass National Forest. We need the timber industry to sur- 

 vive. Please do not make us — the people — the endangered species. 



Senator Wirth. Thank you very much, Ms. Coady. 



Mr. Bukoskey. 



