Gail Phillips Jeff
Groscost Michael
Simpson John
Mercer Walter
Bradley Lynn
Lundquist Mel
Brown Clyde
Ballard Bruce
Hinchey |
House Speaker Newt Gingrich Visits Alaska For Immediate Release: August 20, 1998 Contact: Wendy Lindskoog at (907) 258-8184 or Jerry Ritter at (907) 258-8164. Anchorage – To develop a better understanding about western public land issues facing the United States Congress, U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich and a congressional delegation will visit Alaska August 28-29. "This tour provides a significant opportunity for Speaker Gingrich and members of congress to get a first hand look at life in Alaska and other western states," said House Speaker Gail Phillips. "By seeing the West up close and talking to the people who call the West home, congressional leaders in D.C. will be better prepared to make informed decisions on the issues that greatly affect our way of life." Speaker Gingrich is visiting Alaska as part of an educational tour sponsored by the Western States Coalition. Speaker Phillips worked closely with Congressman Don Young to secure Gingrich’s participation in the tour. Last year, Speaker Gingrich, accompanied by Majority Leader Dick Armey and Majority Whip Tom Delay, visited the states of Utah, Idaho, Wyoming and Montana. This year, Gingrich and the congressional delegation will visit Washington, Oregon and Alaska August 25-29. The educational trip will cover hydroelectric power and energy issues, the Clean Air and Water Acts, the Endangered Species Act, and private and federal forest management practices in Washington and Oregon. In Alaska, the tour will focus on forest health issues including the Chugach National Forest Spruce Bark Beetle Infestation, Kenai River habitat protection and river bank restoration, responsible oil exploration, development and technology in the National Petroleum Reserve, Alaska (NPRA) and the Arctic National Wildlife Reserve (ANWR). The continuing goal of the Western States Coalition is to provide a first hand public lands experience to members of Congress who are charged with making public policy decisions affecting western United States. "We’re eager to show Speaker Gingrich our home," said Phillips. "Our hope is that as the East personally meets the West, more informed public land solutions will be created." # # # Media Note: Attached please find information regarding press availabilities and a brief itinerary for the Alaska portion of the tour. There will be one press availability planned each day with Speaker Newt Gingrich. Northern Passage Educational Tour Press Availabilties: Soldotna: Friday, August 28 from 2:45-3:15 p.m.
North Slope: Saturday, August 29 from 2:15-2:45 p.m.
|