Public Land Communities Transition Act of 2008

PUBLIC LAND COMMUNITIES TRANSITION ACT OF 2008 -- (House of Representatives - June 04, 2008)

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Mr. BAIRD. I rise in strong support of H.R. 3058, the Public Land Communities Transition Act, and I commend my dear friend, Peter DeFazio. I have rarely seen a Member of Congress work so diligently on behalf of his constituents. He also works on behalf of my constituents because in southwest Washington, we are one of the 10 most forested districts in the entire country. So much of the land in my district is under control of the Forest Service. Counties like Lewis, Skamania, and Cowlitz rely on Secure Rural Schools money to keep public safety working.

My friends, we have to work to pass this bill. It is urgent, as many speakers have said. It is a bit ironic, however, to criticize the bill and say the criticism is because this bill will not become law, and then vote against it. Things don't become law around here when people vote against them. Things become law when people vote for them.

Because of that, I would encourage my colleagues to vote for this bill. Without this bill, 600 counties across the country that are home to millions of Americans would be left behind. Without this program, millions of rural communities would face steep job losses, breakdowns in services and infrastructure, and deep cuts to school budgets. Without this funding, almost 7,000 teachers and other educational staff will be laid off across the country. They are facing termination as we speak.

Delay should not be an option. Passage should be our remedy. I urge passage of this fine bill.

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