Document text
Smith helps Bush move in Ex-congressman will advise on ag, personnel issues By Dani Dodge Vice President-elect Dick Cheney picked former Congressman Bob Smith to serve on the Bush administration�s transition team. Smith, 69, of Medford � who now works as a government-relations consultant � said he is pleased to have the chance to make a difference in the new administration. Smith will consult on issues in the Department of Agriculture and Department of the Interior, including forestry, farm commodities, agricultural research and food. He also will advise on personnel matters. "We�ve long in the West felt we�ve been overlooked and underrepresented by the federal government," Smith said. "There�s a lot of unrest out here with all our mill closures and our forests going unmanaged, and it�s just a mess. "I am pleased to have a chance to discuss some of these issues with people who are going to make decisions in the future." Cheney, who is in charge of George W. Bush�s transition into the presidency, also was pleased Smith accepted the job. "Bob Smith will be a valuable source of information for our new leadership," Cheney said in a press release. Smith and Cheney served together in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1982 through 1988 and were members of the committees on Agriculture and Interior. But Smith�s political career began long before his work with Cheney. Smith served in the Oregon Legislature from 1960 to 1982, when he was elected to Congress for the 2nd District. He retired from Congress in 1994 but reluctantly ran for one last term in 1996 after Wes Cooley, his successor, was convicted of lying in the Voters� Pamphlet. When Smith returned to Congress for those last two years, he chaired the U.S. House Agriculture Committee, the first Oregonian to do so. While in Congress, Smith championed conservative causes such as revising the Endangered Species Act, reforming the welfare system and pushing a balanced budget amendment. Smith said Wednesday that Bush�s administration will be facing some huge issues, many of which will affect the West. He said he�s concerned about forest fire danger because of lack of management, and he�s concerned about brewing water-rights issues. "We need to change the direction and feeling about forestry � they are really caretakers," Smith said. "And we have a huge debate about water. Water is the future. "These are huge issues that we face." As a member of Bush�s transition team, he�ll have a chance to help select some of the people who will work under Agriculture Secretary-designate Ann Veneman. "We�ll talk about placement of people who will fit the Bush administration," Smith said. "Who will be the best people we can find for undersecretary, deputy secretary and assistant secretary and chief of the forest service." Smith said he expects he�ll have to go back to Washington for some transition team work, but he�s already getting calls from around the nation from people suggesting names. He expects his job will be done by Jan. 20, when Bush is sworn in as president. Smith said he won�t be putting his own name into the ring. "I said, �I�ll be happy to help you this way, but 1, I don�t want a job and 2, I don�t want to be anybody," Smith said. "I�m not seeking a position." Reach reporter Dani Dodge at 776-4471, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2000 Mail Tribune, Inc.