Congressman Denny Rehberg

MISSOULA, MT — Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg — visiting the Middle East this week — tonight issued the following statement on the capture of Saddam Hussein from an undisclosed location outside Iraq:

“This is great news, both for democracy in Iraq and for our rebuilding and stabilization efforts. Now the Iraqi people can move ahead without the fear of Hussein hiding in the shadows.

“The message to the remaining terrorists is clear: America is resolute and we intend to follow-through on our commitment to bring democracy and freedom to the people of Iraq.

“I’m proud of our troops. They’re operating under very difficult circumstances with the entire world watching their every move, and yet they continue every day to ensure that justice and freedom prevail in Iraq. And I’m looking forward to visiting, over the next few days, with our young men and women deployed from Montana, making sure they have every resource they need to do the job.”

WASHINGTON D.C. - The office of Montana Congressman Denny Rehberg has released the following statement in regard to the capture of former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein. Rehberg departed early yesterday to visit the U.S troops and meet with government officials in Iraq and Afghanistan and is still en route, and therefore unavailable for immediate comment. Erik Iverson, Rehberg’s Chief of Staff, released this statement:

“This is great news for the Iraqi people. Our men and women in uniform deserve to be very proud. The fact that Saddam Hussein has been captured alive and will stand trial for his crimes in a democratic Iraq, only months since the fall of his brutal regime, is nothing short of breathtaking,” said Iverson.

“To be sure, there is more work to be done. But the democratization and stabilization continues to progress and the capture of Saddam Hussein certainly underscores America’s commitment to the Iraqi people,” Iverson said.

WASHINGTON, DC - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, announced today he will soon travel with a bipartisan delegation of six U.S. House Members to the Middle East, at the direction of the Speaker of the House. The delegation will visit with American troops presently deployed overseas, and also meet with government leaders in both Iraq and Afghanistan. The Department of Defense has recommended that, due to security considerations, the delegation avoid disclosing specific details of the trip.

However, Rehberg was able to disclose that the delegation will assess the progress being made in the rebuilding and stabilization efforts, including agriculture operations, in both Iraq and Afghanistan.

“This trip will provide us with a good opportunity to see first-hand the great progress our troops are making toward protecting America from terrorism by stabilizing and rebuilding these countries, ” Rehberg said. “And I especially look forward to visiting with our own soldiers deployed from Montana,” Rehberg said.

Traveling with Rehberg will be House Agriculture Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA), as well as Representatives Leonard Boswell (D-IA), Doug Ose (R-CA), Tom Osborne (R-NE), and Randy Neugebauer (R-TX).

WASHINGTON, DC - As President Bush signed the Healthy Forests Restoration Act into law today, Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg (R), a co-sponsor supporter of the measure, called the landmark legislation a “literal breath of fresh air that puts common sense land management practices – not obstructionist courtroom wrangling — back on top of the agenda for the nation’s public forests.”

“America’s forests can breath a refreshing sigh of relief today, and I applaud all those who have diligently worked on behalf of the American public, and their public lands, in enacting a bill that will begin to restore the health of our nation’s forests,” said Rehberg, who conducted a House Resources Committee forest management congressional field hearing this past July in Seeley Lake.

The legislation passed the House and Senate with bi-partisan support, and will reduce the dense undergrowth that fuels catastrophic fires through thinning and prescribed burns. It also improves the environmental review process by providing opportunities for earlier public participation to accomplish projects in a more timely fashion.

Other key provisions encourage biomass energy production and accelerate programs aimed at combating insect infestations. The measure will also promote the recovery of endangered species by authorizing the Healthy Forests Reserve Program, to protect, restore and enhance degraded forest ecosystems on private lands.

“In Montana this past summer, over 700,000 acres of our forest lands were laid waste by catastrophic fire. Since 1997, 32 million acres have been decimated across the country — just think about all the wildlife habitat that was needlessly destroyed, not to mention the direct environmental damage to our air and watersheds,” Rehberg said. “This is a good bill that will improve forest health and provide a boost to Montana’s timber dependent communities. A healthy forest makes for a health community.”

WASHINGTON, DC - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg (R), has helped pave the way for federal disaster assistance for Montana families and communities who have experienced financial difficulties brought about by the affects of long-term drought conditions.

On Monday, Rehberg, a member of the U.S. House Committee on Agriculture Committee, requested the relief in a letter sent to United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Ann Veneman. Today, Secretary Veneman declared 35 Montana counties primary natural disasters areas, while the reaming counties are eligible for assistance as contiguous counties. The designation makes qualifying farm and ranch operations eligible for low-interest loans, capital gains relief, and other disaster assistance plans.

“This is good news for our producers. There was a bit of foot dragging by the USDA on this, but I’m glad we were able to help shake this assistance loose,” said Rehberg, who is also supporting legislation (H.R. 3157) to create a USDA disaster assistance liaison responsible for coordinating with state and local officials responding to a declared disaster.

Following a USDA damage assessment review, the agency determined the 35 Montana counties sustained a 30 % or greater production loss in a single enterprise due to the natural disaster, declaring those counties as primary natural disaster areas. Montana’s remaining 21 counties are eligible for assistance as contiguous counties. Similar declarations have been made for all or parts of Montana since 2000.

Letter:

December 1, 2003
Secretary Ann Veneman
United States Department of Agriculture
200 Administration Building
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250

Dear Secretary Veneman,

I would like to bring to your attention a situation that is very important to Montana agriculture producers.

This past year, many parts of the United States finally received much needed rainfall and saw the end to drought conditions. Unfortunately, portions of Montana did not and are still crippled by many years of continuous drought — creating prolonged hardship for our farmers and ranchers. Last year’s disaster program saved many family farms, but more assistance is needed.

With Montana’s producers in mind, I urge you to issue a disaster declaration for the state of Montana. With this declaration, our farmers and ranchers will be able to take advantage of programs such as low interest loans and capital gains tax extensions for those forced to liquidate due to the drought.

Thank you for your time and attention to this matter. If I can be of further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

Denny Rehberg
Montana’s Congressman