DeGette Appointed To Natural Resources Committee

WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO) today was selected bySpeaker Nancy Pelosi to the serve on the Natural Resources Committee.

"Being selected to serve on the Natural Resources Committee is a greathonor," said DeGette. "Important issues such as preserving wilderness,crafting a balanced energy policy, reversing many of the BushAdministration's misguided public lands policies, and protecting ourwild places will be at the top of the agenda of the 111th Congress. Asa Member from the Rocky Mountain West, I hope to bring a uniqueperspective to the Committee. I look forward to working with my fellowcommittee members to ensure that our water and land resources are usedresponsibly, while protecting our remaining special places."

Natural Resources Committee Chairman Nick J. Rahall (D-WV) said, "I ampleased to welcome my friend and colleague, Diana DeGette, to the HouseNatural Resources Committee for the 111th Congress.  As a lifelongColoradoan with strong Western values, I know that she will bring muchenthusiasm to the Committee as we work together to promote a positiveresource conservation agenda."

As today's U.S. Senate passage of a bill designating millions of acresof wilderness illustrates, public lands and wilderness issues are goingto be high on the agenda during this session of Congress. U.S. Rep.DeGette will also continue to serve as the Vice Chair of the Committeeon Energy and Commerce.