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Show A3 Wednesday, September 24, 2003 Vernal Express Senator Hatch praises Governor Leavitt before EPUlf Committee Senator Orrin G. Hatch appeared before the Senate Committee on the Environment and Public Works to introduce and praise Utah Governor Michael O. Leavitt, President Bush's nomination for Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. Let me state for the record that Michael Leavitt is one of our nations most able public figures, said Hatch. The Committee will hear many critics of the Presidents environmental policies who I hope will be fair and will not use the nomination of Gov. Leavitt as a soapbox to castigate our Chief Executive. I dont think Gov. Leavitts stellar legacy and his careful stewardship of Utahs ratural resources should be sacrificed on the altar of presidential politics. Utahns know that Gov. Leavitt took a clean, beautiful, and strong state and made it beautiful more and cleaner, stronger. What more could we ask for in a nominee to head the Environmental Protection Agency? Senator Hatchs full statement follows: Mr. Chairman and members of the committee, thank you for today's hearing on Governor Mike Leavitts nomination to head the Environmental Protection Agency. I can think of no better candidate for this important job. Let me tell you about the Mike Leav itt I have known for almost 30 years. He is bright, he is eminently capable, and nobody works harder. Mike Leav itt listens before he acts, he consults before he commits, and above all, he is fair and honest. In short, he is the perfect candidate for one of the toughest jobs in government. In his 10 years as governor, Michael Leavitt has brought about a 41 per cent increase in spending on environmental protection, and thats after adjusting' for inflation. According to the Environmental Council of States, the average per capita spending on the environment is $51.80. Under Michael Leavitt, however, Utah has surpassed that average, spending $62.31 per capita because our families are larger than average. When it comes to putting his money where his mouth is. Governor Leavitt also has shown his priorities on the total budget spent on the environment. Utah shines under Governor Leavitts leadership by spending two percent of its budget on the environment. Mr. Chairman, the greatest indicator of an administrations priorities is reflected in how money is spent. However the next question should be how effectively that money was spent. I recall that before Governor Leavitts first term of office, Utah routinely failed to meet national clean air standards. This was due in large part to the fact that the vast majority of Utahns live on a valley floor surrounded on all sides with mountains. These mountains are beautiful, but under certain weather conditions they can serve to trap emissions in the Salt Lake Valley. Governor Leavitt has helped our state overcome this obstacle to bring our state into consistent compliance with the EPAs air quality standards. He has also led initiatives in our state to preserve open space, improve our fisheries, and upgrade our municipal sewer systems. recognizes that a healthy environment is as important as a healthy economy. However else his detrac- Mr. Chairman, let me state for the record that Michael Leavitt is one of our nations most able public figures. Is it any wonder that . Governor Leavitt also has been a in Visibility Transport Commission and the Western Regional Air Partnership. When Leavitt Governor took office, about 60 per cent of Utahs streams met federal water quality standards, which is the current national average for states. Under his leadership, though, 73 percent of Utahs streams now meet the federal standards- -a very significant improvement and well above the national average. Chairman, I hope we can keep in mind that these were not the actions of a man who sought a Mr. Commissioners Jim Abegglen, Dave Haslem and the Uintah County Booth as Most Educational. Mike McKee accept the Utah State Fair recognition of nomination to head the EPA. These were the actions of a man who loves the environment County audit given clean bill of health at Commission and who loves his state. Governor Leavitt is a man who Good news all around was the fare for the day at Tuesdays Uintah County Commission meet- tors may try to spin it, the numbers prove this to be the case. ing. Uintah County Fair chairman, Runolfson, praised Uintah County booth chairman Wayne Ditmore for his committees booth that was shown at the local fair and then placed at the recent Utah State Fair. The Uintah booth was awarded $150, a plaque and rosette as the Lyn The numbers also show Governor well-plann- Leavitt is one heck of a manager. In five of his 10 yean as Utahs chief executive, Utah has been ranked the best managed state. USA Today recently concurred, calling Utah the best fiscally managed state in the country. Even . morning, and I look forward to friends to my welcoming Washington for their more permanent stay after the Senate confirms as the Leavitt Michael Administrator of the EPA. The Committee will hear many critics of the Presidents environmental policies who 1 hope will be fair and will not use the nomination of Governor Leavitt as a soapour Chief box to castigate Executive. I dont think Governor Leavitts stellar legacy and his careful stewardship of Utahs natural resources should be sacrificed on the altar of presidential politics. With confidence, I would hold up Utahs environmental record to that of any other state in the Union. leader , And so, Mr. Chairman, it is with particular pleasure that I introduce Mike and Jackie Leavitt to you this after serving longer than any other sitting governor, he has maintained one of the strongest approval ratings ever enjoyed by a public official at his level? The governor has worked tirelessly for the good of Utah. Yet, he has found the time to serve as the Chair of the Council of State Governors, the Republican the Governors Association, Western Governors Association, and the National Governors Association. finding solutions to air problems by helping to regional Grand the Canyon promote caution my colleagues to consider the environmental challenges faced by their own states before slinging mud at a state which under Governor Leavitt has become a model for beauty and for good management Mr. Chairman, I have already seen news articles and press releases highlighting some of the environmental challenges faced by Utahns. None of these challenges began during Governor Leavitts administration and a number of them have no relationship at all to the responsibilities of running the EPA. All states have environmental challenges, so rather than create a laundry list of Utahs problems, we should focus on how Governor Leavitt has responded to Utahs challenges. It is a simple matter for a policy maker to give lip service to environmental protection, and Governor Leavitt has been a consistent and public supporter for protecting Utahs environment But actions speak louder than words. And, no action speaks louder than a willingness to allocate resources to an area of concern. Mr. Chairman, President Bush has 1 I service , with look forward " impact that positive Governor Leavitt will have on this to the important agency. Utahns know that As a result of the investigation information was tiled in 8th District Count that alleges that the suspect struck the child with a fist in the head with enough force to fracture the child's skull. Upon discovering the, injury,, the, child's rhother tdbk him to Ashley Valley Medical Center for medical attention and the child was later taken by helicopter to Primary Children's Hospital in Salt Lake Uintah County Sheriffs Department concluded an investigation earlier this month which has resulted in the arrest of a Vernal man. On Sept. 8, Vernal City Police and Uintah County Sheriff deputies were dispatched to Ashley Valley Medical Center on a head injury to child which was a suspected to be the victim of child abuse. The years, under Governor Leavitt, Utah has maintained its Triple A bond rating. done the .pfion a this nomination, and ' 1 ld Governor the The net worth of Uintah County was determined to be approximately $28 1 ,000,0(X) with audit. approximately 26,000 people living in the county. City where he was treated for the skull fracture. The child is expected to recover from the injuiies sustained the incident. Kale John The suspect, surren-dered Vernal of Christiansen, 28, d to authorities and was .in the Uintah County Jail for second degree felony child abuse and another outstanding warrant. Bail was set at $10,520. mcar-cerate- 270 E. MAIN ST. VERNAL, UT 84078 more beautiful and stronger. What more could we ask for in a nominee head Greg Marsing of the Price company of Smuin, Rich and Marsing, submitted the completed audit to the Commissioners, and observed that the county had a good. clean UTAH MOTOR CO. Leavitt took a clean, beautiful and strong state and made it cleaner, to In other business, outside auditor Vernal man arrested on child abuse after the extremely tough financial times faced by our states in recent . Most Educational Booth at the Utah State Fair. Anita Nokes presented the web site design package of local business Walston Net Design, and recthe ommended it for site layout and menu system for the Uintah County website. Monica Walston will construct a front page, create blank templates for additional pages, and create a site engine. Walston Designs proposal was approved. (435)789-045- 4 Environmental CHRYSLER Protection Agency? Mr. I thank you, Again, Chairman, for holding this hearing. I know that you and the rest of my HAVE A LOOK AT THESE GREAT SAVINGS ON OUR NEW VEHICLES! colleagues will be impressed with Michael Leavitt as a person and as a proven administrator. "331 DR. 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