 Helen Chenoweth on Forests and Forest Health The most significant accomplishment of Chenoweth's tenure to date has been ascending to the chairmanship of a Resources subcommittee in January of 1997. This is the first time in recent memory that an Idahoan has occupied such a position in the House of Representatives; and Chenoweth did it after serving only one term. As chairman of the subcommittee, Chenoweth decides which topics and proposals will be heard. From this position of responsibility, Chenoweth has become a much more effective voice on natural resources-related issues in general and for Idaho in particular. Indeed, since Idaho is a state with more than 60 percent of its land owned or controlled by the federal government, federal policies have a significant impact on Idaho's economy and the lifestyles of Idahoans. In just the first six months of 1997, Chenoweth has played a pivotal role in advancing legislation which establishes the concept of local management of resources, in saving the Purchaser Road Credits program from assault by Eastern legislators (this program is very important for fire fighting and in making national forests accessible to the public), in defending the concept of recreational use of the Hells Canyon Recreational Area, and in fighting for the concept of State sovereignty over its water as Congress considers proposals to draw down reservoirs on the Snake and Columbia rivers. Effective Leadership of the Subcommittee Chenoweth's Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health is one of the most effective and productive subcommittees in the Congress. According to a committee progress report, after the first six months of the 105th Congress, Chenoweth's subcommittee has had more pieces of legislation pass the full House (eight bills) that any other subcommittee or committee, except the full Judiciary Committee, which also has had eight bills pass the house. Teaching and Leading Her Colleagues Chenoweth believes that one of the most important things she can accomplish as a member of Congress is to teach her colleagues from the other parts of the United States about the issues so important to Westerners and Idahoans. Since January of 1995, she has brought many other congressman to Idaho to hear directly from Idahoans about such matters as international trade, agricultural reform, public lands, forest management and state control over water. | Legislation | Profile | About Helen's List | Accomplishments | Awards 
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