Alaska State Legislature
News from the Office of House Speaker, Representative Gail Phillips

Jerry Ritter, House Majority Press Secretary
716 West 4th Avenue, Suite 630
Anchorage, AK 99501
Phone: (907) 258-8164
http://www.akrepublicans.org
Actuality Line: 1-800-478-6540

Gingrich Views Peninsula Devastation

Speaker Briefed on Beetles and Kenai River Fisheries

For Immediate Release: August 28, 1998 Contact: Jerry Ritter at (907) 258-8164.

Soldotna -- Against a backdrop of pristine beauty, Speaker of the U.S. House Newt Gingrich (R-Georgia) and the Congressional Delegation learned about both the wonders and the harshness of nature in Alaska.

Gingrich viewed the ecologic devastation caused by Alaska's Spruce Bark Beetle infestation, which has destroyed millions of trees and left Southcentral Alaska prone to violent fire danger as much of the once-verdant area evolves into an environmental hazard for animals and humans alike.

"If nothing else, people at the highest levels of government now have seen for themselves what Alaskans have been fighting for years - that all these once-beautiful trees are being wasted because we cannot harvest them," said Speaker of the Alaska House Gail Phillips (R-Homer). Phillips is hosting Gingrich under the auspices of the Western States Coalition, as part of the "Northwest Passage" Tour. "Perhaps now, when someone in faraway Washington talks about locking-up Alaska, Speaker Gingrich and the others on this tour will be able to point out the real truth of this economic and natural devastation," Phillips said.

The Gingrich party also saw for themselves what has happened to the Kenai River fishery and learned about habitat protection and riverbank restoration efforts in the area.

A non-profit business league, WSC membership is made up of elected and appointed local and state government officials. State House of Representatives Speakers from nine western states serve on an advisory board. WSC works to heighten awareness of the impact of public policy on the western United States and to advocate decision making at the level of government closest to the people affected.

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Broadcasters note: Comments are available on the House Majority Line at (800) 478-6540.
= U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich, 142 K = U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich, 82 K = U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich, 47 K

Session: State Capitol, Juneau, Alaska 99801-1182 · Phone: (907) 465-2689 · Fax: (907) 465-3472
Interim: P.O. Box 3304, Homer, Alaska 99603 · Phone: (907) 235-2921 · Fax: (907) 235-4008