317 



Before roads were built my husband became critically ill, there 

 was no 911 number to call from the bush. Air Rescue came as soon 

 as the weather permitted, however too much time had lapsed. 

 Shortly after his death a road opened and access was possible to 

 several hundred people. Medical help became available as a direct 

 result of the logging industry. 



I love the state and the lifestyle I chose but I request the same 

 rights to necessities other states often take for granted. 



Please visit the camps, review the total dollar and environmental 

 impact on families before you decide on how our lifestyle should be. 



Senator Wirth and Senator Burns, I thank you, and Senator 

 Murkowski, I am very proud to have you as my Senator. 



Senator Wirth. Thank you very much. 



Now, Mr. Winter. 



STATEMENT OF TOM WINTER 



Mr. Winter. My name is Tom Winter and I am an employee of 

 Six Robbies, Seattle. My company is a warehouse distributor of 

 truck fleet parts and equipment. Our headquarters are in Seattle 

 and we have two regional stores in Anchorage and Fairbanks. 



My sales territory includes southeast Alaska and my customers 

 are the logging industry, as well as the cities, towns and the State 

 of Alaska Highway Maintenance facilities. I have been servicing 

 this territory for eleven years and I have experienced every one of 

 the upswings and downturns in the state's economy. 



Better than 50 percent of my personal income is dependent on 

 southeast Alaska sales. In addition our stores in Anchorage and 

 Fairbanks sell to and support logging in the interior and near 

 Kodiak. I am here today to explain to you that my company and I 

 are very dependent on a healthy logging industry in Alaska and a 

 healthy southeast Alaska economy. 



As an associate member of the Alaska Loggers Association I have 

 spoken to many of the over 200 suppliers' representatives who, like 

 myself, have expressed serious concerns about the future of their 

 livelihood. Our friends and customers in this industry depend on us 

 to get products and services to them in order for them to operate 

 their trucks and logging equipment and we depend on them to be 

 able to sell their services. 



The proposed legislation in Congress today places the livelihood 

 of all of us and the people of the Tongass and the many tiers of 

 suppliers both in Alaska and from the lower 49 States in jeopardy. 



I urge you to retain a land and timber base to provide a supply 

 which ensures employment opportunities associated with the forest 

 products industry supply for dependent industry. Any changes in 

 the long term contracts would have a far-reaching effect on the 

 people and the communities of Southeast Alaska. 



A healthy logging industry with year-round employment oppor- 

 tunities does strengthen the economy of southeast Alaska. 



Senate Bill 346 would be devastating to the established timber 

 industry in the Tongass. Therefore I support Senate Bill 237 as the 

 legislation that will most equitably resolve the pending issues of 

 the Tongass. 



Thank you. 



