Congressman Denny Rehberg

WASHINGTON, DC - Highlighted by catastrophic wildfires that have destroyed millions of acres of pristine forest in recent years, the need for a comprehensive, balanced conservation policy in America’s forests could not be clearer. Accordingly, Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, and the Resources Committee today began work on the Healthy Forests Restoration Act (HFRA) of 2003.

“Part of the effort to suppress wildfires involves suppressing judicial activism. The secret to healthy forests, is more local management and less litigious ambition, which is why I am in full support of this legislation.

“Until we fully address this crisis, 190 million acres of forest land will continue to be unnaturally susceptible to disease, insect infestation, and catastrophic wildfires that destroy everything in their paths. With sound science and 21st Century technologies, however, experts can limit the occurrence of these fires, stem the environmental devastation they cause, and spare communities from tragic loss of homes and human life. The Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 will provide ecologists and federal land managers this much-need, balanced approach to preserving America’s forests for generations to come.

“Inaction on this issue will result in the deterioration of the health of our forests, intensifying the wildfire threat faced by Montana’s communities. Today, with the next fire season just around the corner, we’re working to solve this problem by applying common sense to the effort, giving local land managers – the experts – the tools they need to do their jobs.”

BIGFORK, MT - Montana’s Congressman, U.S. Rep. Denny Rehberg (R), honored Bigfork High School senior Maureen Sullivan as the 16th recipient of the Congressman’s “Spirit of Discovery” award, during a morning presentation attended by Sullivan’s parents, relatives, classmates, and school administrators.

Sullivan overcame a serious eating disorder, anorexia nervosa, and now uses her experience to educate students and administrators on the dangers of the disease, and the difficulties in overcoming it. Her recovery and present healthy lifestyle enabled her to take advantage of a recent opportunity to live and study in Chengdu, China, the capital of Sichuan Province in southwest China, the most populated province in the country. Sullivan is the daughter of Paul and Mary Sullivan of Bigfork.

“This young woman’s life and death struggle with anorexia and her desire to share what she has learned from it are the essence of the Spirit of Discovery,” said Rehberg. “Her difficult journey of internal discovery evolved into a commitment to use her experiences to help others, and it’s this unconquerable spirit of perseverance that is the greatness of Montana and the heart and soul of America,” Rehberg stated.

Rehberg created the “Spirit of Discovery” award to recognize and encourage out-of-the-ordinary Montana high school students who display courage and commitment, together with a spirit of discovery in service, surmounting obstacles, or developing skills. The award is named in honor of the commitment to courage and discovery found in Lewis and Clark’s “Corps of Discovery.”

Rehberg sent letters to high school principals across the state asking for nominations of students who demonstrate this spirit of discovery. Students are unaware they’re receiving the award until the ceremony takes place.

HELENA, MT - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg (R), will be accepting the U.S. Chamber of Commerce “Spirit of Enterprise” award for his pro-economic growth congressional voting record during a reception at 5:00 pm, Tuesday April 22, at the Colonial Inn in Helena.

“As a small business owner in Montana, I understand the importance of the federal government working to eliminate barriers to growth and providing economic opportunity for Montana’s many small businesses,” said Rehberg, who owns and operates a goat ranch near Billings. “I am honored to receive this recognition from the U.S. Chamber and look forward to continue fighting for Montana’s small business men and women,” concluded Rehberg.

This marks the second time Rehberg has been recognized for the award by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which is the world’s largest business federation, representing more than three million businesses and organizations.

“There is a strong pro-business voting bloc in the House and Senate. Lawmakers know their votes on legislation can create jobs, improve domestic security, and promote economic growth,” said U.S. Chamber President and CEO Thomas Donohue in a recent press release.

A record 287 lawmakers received the award for the second session of the 107th Congress, which recognizes members of Congress who support the Chamber’s position on at least 70 percent of key votes. The 2002 award was based on 20 key votes, such as providing permanent tax relief, reducing paperwork for small businesses, approving Trade Promotion Authority, and approving economic stimulus legislation.

For a complete list of key votes and ratings for individual members of Congress, visit the U.S. Chamber web site at www.uschamber.com.

The event is open to the public and media.

Who: Representative Denny Rehberg (R-MT)
Meg Jacobsen, Executive Director
Pacific Northwest Office of Regional Affairs, U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Webb Brown, President/CEO, Montana Chamber of Commerce
What: Spirit of Enterprise Award Presentation
Where: Colonial Inn, 2301 Colonial Drive, Helena, Montana
When: 5:00 pm, Tuesday, April 22, 2003

WASHINGTON, DC - With an overwhelming display of patriotism and support for Operation Iraqi Freedom overloading the Pentagon’s mail system with letters and care packages, Montana’s Congressman Denny Rehberg today joined with the Department of Defense in announcing new opportunities for Montanans to support our troops overseas.

“There is so much patriotism in Montana that many of our citizens have asked me ways they can show our brave soldiers how grateful they are for their service to our nation,” Rehberg said. “Military officials tell me mass mailings and care packages put an incredible strain on the Pentagon’s mail system, but that there are even better ways for Montanans to display their appreciation to our young men and women in uniform, thanks to the ‘On the Home Front’ resource.”

Rehberg’s official website, www.house.gov/rehberg now includes a “Support Our Troops” icon linking Montanans to a special page describing project “On the Home Front,” announced by President Bush last month, offering constructive ways for citizens to express their gratitude to troops, including:

Donating to Operation USO Care Package at www.usocares.org/home.htm
Donating long-distance calling cards so service members can telephone their families via Operation Uplink at www.operationuplink.org
Sending an online greeting at www.anyservicemember.navy.mil
Sending gift certificates to military dependants at www.commissaries.com

Congratulates incoming 20th Air Force Commander; Calls for pay increases

GREAT FALLS, MT - Montana’s Congressman, U.S. Representative Denny Rehberg (R) today congratulated the incoming Commander of the 20th Air Force, Major General-select Frank Klotz. Selected to replace retiring Maj. Gen. Tim McMahon, Klotz will oversee the nation’s three land-based ICBM (Intercontinental Ballistic Missile) wings, including the 341st Space Wing located at Malmstrom Air Force Base in Great Falls.

“With the decommissioning of the Peacekeeper II missile underway this year, the 341st Space Wing at Malmstrom now has the largest number [200] of land-based ICBMs in the country,” Rehberg said. “This places Malmstrom at the forefront of our nation’s land-based nuclear deterrent.”

Rehberg this week sent a staff member to meet with McMahon, as part of the Congressman’s ongoing efforts to preserve Malmstrom’s future. Last month, Rehberg launched an advisory panel to oversee the effort to protect Malmstrom from closure, downsizing, or realignment. Rehberg said Malmstrom will greatly miss McMahon, but that he’s looking forward to meeting with Klotz.

“We have a lot to discuss, including next year’s pivotal Nuclear Posture Review, as well BRAC (Base Realignment and Closure),” Rehberg said. “Beyond protecting Malmstrom, we need to improve the pay of its working servicemen and women.”

“The officers I’ve spoken with inform me that their missile crewmembers perform very long shifts at these remote missile sites without any kind of per diem or reimbursements for meals and lost time,” Rehberg said. “We simply must make improvements in these areas in order to continue to attract the kind of talent for which Malmstrom is renowned.”

Montana’s Congressman to Visit All Seven Montana Indian Reservations

BILLINGS, MT - Montana’s Congressman, U.S. Representative Denny Rehberg (R), is meeting with tribal officials and members of all seven Montana Indian reservations to discuss Native American issues in a listening tour that stretches across the state over a period of six days.
“Our state is blessed with a rich and diverse Native American population who provide valuable historical and cultural experiences that benefit all of Montana,” said Rehberg. “As their voice in the House of Representatives, this listening tour will assist me in staying in touch with the issues and concerns of Montana’s Native American population. I’m excited and proud to be working with the tribes to the benefit of all of Montana,” Rehberg stated.

The visits are a part of two weeks of scheduled events during the House of Representative’s annual Spring District Work Period, during which Rehberg is hosting several town hall and county commissioner meetings, high school and service award presentations, and speaking engagements. (Media – see separate advisories)

The events are open to the public and media.

Monday, April 21

Crow Tribal Council and Members Meeting, Crow Agency, 10:00 am

Head Start Tour, 11:00 am

Northern Cheyenne Tribal Council and Members Meeting, Lame Deer, 2:00 pm

Boys and Girls Club Tour, 3:00 pm

Wednesday, April 23
Fort Peck Tribal Council and Members Meeting, Poplar, 11:00 am

Fort Belknap Tribal Council and Members Meeting, Harlem, 3:30 pm

Thursday, April 24
Rocky Boy’s Tribal Council and Members Meeting, Box Elder, 8:30 am

Blackfeet Tribal Council and Members Meeting, Browning, 3:00 pm

Saturday, April 26
Flathead Tribal Council and Members Meeting, Pablo, 11:00 am

WASHINGTON, DC - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg (R-Montana) today praised Montana’s educators after President Bush today gave the go ahead to Montana’s No Child Left Behind accountability act.

“This is great news for students, parents, and teachers in our state,” Rehberg said. “It is proof our state is a national leader in education reform, and proof of our shared commitment to ensuring that every child has the chance to learn.”

Montana’s accountability plan outlined specific steps for ensuring yearly progress in reading and math achievement for public school students – the cornerstone of the No Child Left Behind Act.

“As a result of the No Child Left Behind Act, federal education funding in Montana has increased more than $49.8 million over the last two years,” Rehberg said. “With their plan now approved, Montana’s education leaders will use those resources to close the achievement gap between disadvantaged students and their more fortunate peers.”

All 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico were required to submit accountability plans. At a White House ceremony today, President Bush announced each has now been approved by the U.S. Department of Education.

BILLINGS, MT - Responding to the pleas of over 3,000 Montanans, Montana’s Congressman Denny Rehberg has introduced legislation (H.R. 1629) to free thousands of acres of privately-owned land gobbled up in the creation of the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument in 2001. Boundaries for the National Monument were set in an executive order signed by former President Bill Clinton in the final hours of his presidency.

“Unfortunately, the only remedy left for these private property owners is the bill I’ve introduced to remove all privately owned property from the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument,” Rehberg said. “H.R. 1629 was carefully crafted to help our landowners while at the same time preserve federal management of the rest of the land.”

Rehberg met with a delegation of local citizens from the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument region at his Billings office on March 24th. The citizen delegation delivered a petition signed by more than 3,300 Montanans in support of Rep. Rehberg’s legislative effort to withdraw about 81,000 acres of private land swallowed up by the National Monument boundary. H.R.1629 instructs the U.S. Department of the Interior to remove the private property from the monument boundaries.

“The petition will demonstrate to my colleagues that these landowners are serious about their private property rights,” Rehberg said. “I am determined to right this wrong against these private property owners.”

Education Secretary Paige Accepts Rehberg Invitation To Tour Montana Schools

WASHINGTON, DC - Montana’s Congressman U.S. Representative Denny Rehberg today announced the creation of an official U.S. House of Representatives caucus to find solutions to the unique educational problems of rural areas. Joined by U.S. Education Secretary Rod Paige, Sen. Mike Enzi (R-WY), and Rep. Ron Kind (D-WI), at a news conference today, Rehberg unveiled the House Rural Education Caucus, an organization that will “advance the interests of rural education.”

“Over 70% of Montana’s students attend rural schools, which face a variety of obstacles that are unique to rural districts,” Rehberg said. “The goal of the Rural Education Caucus is to launch a bipartisan collaboration among Members and the Department of Education to confront the special problems that require special solutions to better serve the needs of students and teachers in rural schools.”

Along with Rehberg and Kind, more than two dozen other House Members have agreed to join the House Rural Education Caucus. The group will work closely with the newly-created Senate Rural Education Caucus, announced today by Sen. Mike Enzi (R-WY).

“Congressman Rehberg, you talked about the problems there in Montana. I hear that some of the schools have to house students during the winter because the weather precludes daily travel to and from their homes,” Secretary Paige said, accepting a Rehberg invitation to join him this year in touring Montana’s schools. He also praised Rehberg’s “leadership in forming the House Rural Education Caucus.”

Rehberg’s organization will work closely with both Enzi’s Senate Rural Education Caucus and Paige’s agency to advance a policy agenda that benefits rural communities, educators and students.

“My goal is to launch a bipartisan collaboration among Members and the Department of Education to confront the special problems that require special solutions to better serve the needs of students and teachers in rural schools,” Rehberg said. “Funding is particularly important as federal accountability and testing requirements will place additional burdens on rural school districts which will have to meet those costs by tapping their general funds.”