NWMA Honors Distinguished Leaders for Years of Support to U.S. Mining
December 06, 2000

Spokane, Washington — The Northwest Mining Association (NWMA) has paid tribute at its 106^th Annual Meeting & Exposition to two individuals in recognition of their leadership in Congress and years of support for the U.S. Minerals Industry. This year, the Distinguished Service Award recognizes United States Senator Slade Gorton, (R-WA) and United States Congressman Helen Chenoweth-Hage, (R-ID).

Slade Gorton, Washington state’s senior senator, has diligently worked over his three terms in Congress to protect the rights of miners. When Solicitor John Leshy attempted to overhaul the Mining Law, Senator Gorton led the fight to prevent Leshy from overstepping his legal bounds and he publicly chastised the Solicitor for his actions.

Laura Skaer, Executive Director of NWMA, has great praise for Senator Gorton’s years of service and deeply regrets his departure from Congress. “The Senator stood up for the rule of law in America when he made it clear that unelected bureaucrats can’t change laws,” said Skaer. “He stood up for the constitutional rights of his constituency and didn’t run in the face of opposition.”

Over his years in the Congress, Senator Gorton has spearheaded legislation on behalf of the natural resources industry. Slade Gorton has served on the Committee on Appropriations’ Subcommittee on Energy and Water, Subcommittee on Interior (Chairman) and Subcommittee on Agriculture. The Northwest Mining Association made the decision to award the 2000 Distinguished Service Award to Slade Gorton before the election. His advocacy on behalf of the U.S. minerals industry will be sorely missed.

Helen Chenoweth-Hage has become one of the strongest advocates for the natural resources industries in Congress. During her six years on Capitol Hill, the Congressman has focused her efforts on protecting the people’s right to utilize public lands and safe-guarded private property rights.

“We honor Congressman Chenoweth-Hage with the Distinguished Service Award because she has tirelessly fought on behalf of the interests of men and women in the U.S. mining industry,” said Skaer. “She has been the watchdog over the administration’s forays into unconstitutional actions concerning natural resource and access to public lands. She has worked on the roadless initiative and taken the Environmental Protection Agency to task on its overzealous approach to Superfund expansion in North Idaho.”

Congressman Chenoweth-Hage will be leaving Congress in January 2001. She is Chairman of the House Resources Committee Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health. The Congressman also sits on Subcommittees for Agriculture, Veteran Affairs and Government Reform.