Press Releases
Congressman Young Receives House Resources Committee Ranking Member Nod for the 110th Congress
Washington, D.C.,
December 6, 2006
Alaska Congressman Don Young was selected today to serve as the Ranking Member of the House Resources Committee for the 110th Congress. Young, who served as Chairman of the Resources Committee from 1995-2001, was elected to serve as the Ranking Member by the House Republican Conference. Young is currently Chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. "As Alaska’s only Congressman, I have been blessed over the past 17 terms to represent a state that is as rich and diverse in natural resources as anywhere in the world," said Congressman Young after the Republican Conference vote. "From our Alaska Natives to our vast natural resources, Alaska is affected by the actions of the Resources Committee more than any other state in the nation. "It is good for Alaska, and an honor for me to be selected to serve as the Ranking Member on the Resources Committee. I strongly believe that my 34 years of experience in working on this Committee, including service as both the Chairman and the Ranking Member, will help us in our challenge of striking the proper balance in the stewardship of our nation’s lands and waters. "Whether I was leading the Committee or serving as its Ranking Member, I have always been a team player able to develop and pass bipartisan legislation when called upon. I have also developed a reputation for fighting for what is needed by our country, and protecting what Members tell me is important in their districts. While resource issues have evolved over the years, they remain the same fundamental issues. "The investment and progress that we’ve made over the past 12 years of Republican leadership is a testimony to responsibly balancing the management of our nation’s energy, minerals, forest, parks, and ocean resources. I believe all of our hard work may be severely threatened in the 110th Congress with a shift back to the extremist positions of anti-development organizations. "It will take a bi-partisan effort to resolve these resource management differences. Over the past six years, under my Chairmanship and with the cooperative effort of Ranking Member James Oberstar (D-MN), the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee was the most bipartisan committee on Capitol Hill. Similarly, I look forward to working with Chairman-select Rahall (D-WV) and the House Democrats whenever possible to do what is right for our nation. Congressman Young’s Previous Accomplishments on the House Resources Committee These are the major bills authored by Young or passed by the Resources Committee under Young’s Chairmanship: Land & Energy Issues Allowing oil exploration in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). Young authored a provision in the 1995 budget act that would allow for the exploration of oil and natural gas in a small portion of the Coastal Plain of the 19 million acre refuge. While only 2,000 acres would have been impacted, the legislation was vetoed by then-President Clinton. National Drought Policy Act of 1997 (H.R. 3035), which created a national program designed to help prepare for serious drought emergencies. American Land Sovereignty Protection Act (H.R. 901), which would require public input and Congressional approval of all United Nation’s land designations within the United States. The legislation mandates the approval of Congress before land in the United States may be designated for inclusion in a United Nations land preservation program. Protecting Wildlife & Habit National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act (H.R. 1420), which dramatically improved the management and conservation of America’s national wildlife refuges. Sikes Act (in H.R. 1119), improves fish and wildlife management of nearly 25 million acres of federal land under the jurisdiction of the Department of Defense on over 900 U.S. military installations. More than 100 threatened and endangered species, along with other wildlife, benefit from these improvements. Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Act (H.R. 3113), which increases U.S. involvement in the international protections of endangered rhinos and tigers. African Elephant Conservation Act (H.R. 39), which assists in the conservation of African elephants - a species which has suffered an extreme population decrease during the 1970s and 1980s. Asian Elephant Conservation Act (H.R. 1787), which increases international protections for the endangered Asian Elephant by providing conservation assistance to those countries most responsible for protecting Asian elephants. International Dolphin Conservation Program Act (H.R. 408), which implements an international treaty to protect dolphins and eco-system protections for other marine life in the yellowfin tuna fishery. Migratory Bird Treaty Reform Act (H.R. 2863), which continues federal protections for migratory birds by prohibiting baited fields, but insures that the sports community is treated fairly. Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act, which allows the federal government to fund conservation grants to assist neotropical migratory birds throughout the United States.
Fishery & Water Issues Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, which provides the mostcomprehensive conservation and habitat protections for America’s fishery resources ever approved by Congress. International Driftnet Moratorium, which strengthens U.S. efforts to assist the United Nations in stopping the use of large-scale driftnets that have killed hundreds of thousands of marine mammals, sea turtles, birds and fish. Coastal Zone Management Act, which extends federal funding for the creation and implementation of coastal management programs. Antarctic Environmental Protection Act, which provides for the implementation of an environmental protocol to establish important protections in the Antarctic for flora and fauna and imposes strict limits on activities in the region. Oceans Act, which establishes and Ocean Commission to examine our existing ocean programs and make recommendations on how they can be improved to ensure the health and vitality of our ocean ecosystem. |