E-News

Welcome to the March edition of E-News. March 20 is the first day of spring and a time for rebirth and change. Anne Bradstreet, the first woman poet in America to have her works published, wrote: "If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant: if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome."

In E-News, I will continue to keep you updated on legislation important to Idaho and our country. Please use the "Tell a Friend" form on the lower left to pass along this E-Newsletter to friends, co-workers and family members. As we move forward this year, I hope you will benefit from being aware of changes in legislation of concern to you. As always, it is extremely important to me to stay informed on matters of interest to you.

Senator Crapo and Challenger the Eagle introduce the Endangered Species Recovery Act of 2007

On February 28, I was honored to join several of my colleagues, including the Chairman and the Senior Republican on the Senate Finance Committee, at a news conference to introduce the Endangered Species Recovery Act of 2007(ESRA) (S. 700). Challenger the Eagle also made a brief appearance at the news conference. This bipartisan legislation provides financial incentives for conservation efforts and is strongly supported by the National Endangered Species Reform Act Coalition (NESARC), the American Farm Bureau, the National Wildlife Federation, the Environmental Defense Fund the Defenders of Wildlife, the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus and other groups. This legislation will be considered by the Senate Finance Committee. As a member of the Committee, I will be in a strong position to support it, and will work hard to get it passed by the Senate and enacted into law.

Most of the work in Congress is done in the various Committees, and I am very pleased to have been appointed to serve on several Committees that will deal with issues of everyday concern to Idahoans such as farm spending, health care, transportation and taxes. My Committee assignments for the 110th Congress include: the Agriculture Committee, which will write the new farm bill; the Finance Committee which will deal with critical issues such as health care, Medicare and Medicaid, tax reform, Social Security and international trade negotiations; the Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee, which oversees our nation's financial services industry, as well as housing and mass transit programs; and the Budget Committee. I will also take leadership roles as the Senior Republican on two Subcommittees: the Rural Revitalization, Conservation, Forestry and Credit Subcommittee of the Agriculture Committee, and the Housing, Transportation and Community Development Subcommittee of the Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee. These Committee assignments will enable me to work on legislation that directly impacts my constituents and the state and how America and Idaho compete in the global economy.

Jennie Eva Hughes, first African American to graduate from the University of Idaho. (1899)

Idaho women have a remarkable legacy. Those who don't make the history books are no less noteworthy than those who do. If you could ask any of these women, "famous" or not, about their life experiences, the words of Space Shuttle Discovery Commander Eileen Collins, who has piloted the craft to a smooth landing more than once, might echo clearly: "It's just been a wild ride." March is Women's History Month and a great time to appreciate our tremendous legacy.

Spring is a great time to visit our nation's capitol. If you are planning a visit to Washington, D.C., please visit my website for tour information.

http://crapo.enews.senate.gov/common/mailings/?id=10