As representatives of our second-largest industry, each of you has a tremendous interest in seeing that mining survives in Nevada - and that you and your families jobs are protected.

As your representative in Congress, I work diligently to educate my colleagues on the importance of the mining industry.  Sometimes, I admit, I receive a lot of blank stares from those who have no clue about the impact and importance mining.   Co-Chairing the Congressional Mining Caucus and serving on the House Resources Committee in Washington are perhaps my greatest challenges.   

You see, people can figure out how a tax cut benefits economic growth.  People can figure out how locking away Social Security funds will preserve and protect them.  People can figure out that local control of our schools benefits our children.

....But for some reason, people have a tough time figuring out the importance of, and the necessity of mining.  I explain to them that the product of mining is all around us.  I recite our championed motto, “if it can’t be grown, it must be mined.”

Still, I get the blank stare.  Perhaps they are mind numbed from all of the political influence of extreme environmental groups and the anti-mining quotes they have been spoon-fed by people much more powerful than me.  

Take for instance Vice President Al Gore.  Recently the Gore campaign sent a “statement of priorities” to the Friends of the Earth which included a priority to “build on the Land and Water Conservation Fund by raising federal royalties for hard rock mining on federal public lands.”

We have finally found a subject that Gore gives us specifics on and they include how to kill the mining industry and put you out of a job.  

Gore has pledged to increase the royalties on hard rock mining by $200 MILLION per year, over the next ten years.  Realize this totals two billion dollars in new taxes raised on the backs this industry.  I guess he should have added, “$2 billion or however long it takes to wipe out the mining industry!”

And do you know what he plans on doing with this money?  He plans on committing it to the continuation of this Administration’s Lands Legacy initiative which will buy the remaining 10-13% private property in the state of Nevada and turn it over to the federal government.

Friends of the Earth was told that this is how Gore plans on “Reforming the 1872 Mining Law.”  Folks, Gore isn’t interested in mining reform.  And if he is, I would like to know what his definition of “reform” “is” “is”.

Therefore, we must be very careful on the decisions we make this election year.  We need to take the time to study every candidate who seeks public office and the right to represent our jobs, our industries and our families.

As you know, the next President of the United States will select a new Secretary of the Interior.  He will decide who runs our EPA.  He will determine what is good legislation and what is bad legislation.    

It is my hope that our next President understands the mining industry without bias, and without the Sierra Club and Friends of the Earth determining or even mandating environmental lands-use policy.  

Our next President must understand that mining has made great strides in becoming responsible stewards of the land.  Our next President must understand that designating new National Monuments against the will of local leaders is bad policy.

We need an Administration that will invite all interested parties to the table when it comes to establishing public policy, not just succumb to the dictation of one group.

Now, it is not my nature to be so “political” at such an event, but I believe that this particular election will prove pivotal - as it is likely to determine mining’s future in Nevada.

You have my commitment to continue fighting for you, your families and your jobs in Congress.  It is my hope that through the Mining Caucus, my pro-mining colleagues and I can continue to eliminate some of those blank stares.  

Further, know that the door to my office will remain open to you.  In my two terms in Congress, we have established what I believe to be a very strong and trusting relationship.  Trust that this relationship will continue.

Oh yeah, one last thing.  Earlier I mentioned that Al Gore had submitted a “statement of priorities” to Friends of the Earth.  If you have received Gore’s “statement of priorities” for the Nevada Mining Association — you know how he will support mining and our futures — could you please give me a copy before I leave tonight?

Somehow I believe these “statements of priorities” will read the same.

Thank you all for inviting me here this evening and for allowing me to share a few words with you.  Mining works for Nevada, but it works for the rest of the nation, as well.  I look forward to seeing you all again in the near future and working with you in the 107th Congress.