Merkley Pays Visit to La Grande

Merkley Pays Visit to La Grande
Eric Florip, The East Oregonian
11/12/08

During last week's election, Republican Sen. Gordon Smith of Pendleton carried Union County with a convincing 67 percent of the vote.

But the race's winner, Democratic Sen.-elect Jeff Merkley, received a warm and enthusiastic greeting Tuesday during a Veterans Day visit to the Union County Senior Center in La Grande.

Merkley addressed about 100 attendees - his largest crowd during his recent post-election events, he said - giving special emphasis to veterans' issues and health care. He pointed to his own past experience working in the Pentagon as one reason for his gratitude toward members of the armed forces.

"It gave me a lifelong appreciation of the men and women in uniform who protect our country," Merkley said.

He said veterans need more care for conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder, and he called for an end to the war in Iraq.

"We need to be slow to go to war and fast to take care of those who have served," Merkley said, adding the country hasn't excelled at either of those recently.

The event was one of Merkley's last before he heads to Washington, D.C., next week for an orientation for newly-elected senators. Following the trip he said he plans to spend some "long-deferred" time with his family before he immerses himself in the transition process in December. Inauguration comes Jan. 6, 2009.

Once there, Merkley said he hopes to add to Democrats' "working majority" among 56 others in the Senate. He also pledged to be an effective partner of Oregon's senior senator, fellow Democrat Ron Wyden, on several of Wyden's recent projects - among them helping the state's ailing timber industry and restoring an Amtrak train route through Oregon between Portland and Boise.

Though Merkley said he hasn't spoken directly with Wyden about the Amtrak proposal, he offered support to the idea.

"I think there is a growing recognition that rails are far more energy efficient than many alternatives," he said. "Maybe this is a window of opportunity."

La Grande resident and Army veteran Ray Addlaman said he was impressed with Merkley's visit, adding he hopes the newly-elected senator makes the nation's economic troubles his top priority. Addlaman added he appreciated the recognition as a veteran, and he looks forward to Merkley stepping into Smith's seat.

"I think he's the breath of fresh air that we needed. I really do," Addlaman said.

The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation also were represented at the gathering. CTUIR Board of Trustees Chairman Antone Minthorn noted the tribes' successful partnerships with other government jurisdictions. He invited Merkley to visit the Umatilla Indian Reservation to meet with leaders there. Merkley accepted.

Rick George, CTUIR's natural resources program manager, told Merkley how important he felt it is for an Oregon senator to gain a seat on the Senate's appropriations committee, largely responsible for allocating federal spending.

Merkley agreed and said Oregon needs a voice on the committee, though it's not likely for a freshman senator to land a seat on the committee. Merkley said having a say there could ensure Oregon gets its share of resources on both sides of the state.

Posted November 13, 2008
In the News