Tim Ream Declares Victory, Ends Fast

Tim achieved his goal with the introduction of the Furse bill to repeal the salvage rider	When Tim Ream began his hunger strike two and a half months ago, his immediate goal was to bring the salvage logging rider before Congress to undergo the scrutiny it should have received when it was passed as a rider to a recissions bill last June. Tim achieved this goal with the introduction of the Furse bill to repeal the salvage rider and the successful completion of his trip to Washington D.C. to lobby Congress and the Clinton administration to support the Furse bill. With this goal accompished, and his health declining dangerously, Tim ended his heroic hunger strike on Saturday, December 16, 1995 -- the 75th day of his fast. The night before the the end of his fast, Tim was joined at the federal courthouse by a large crowd of supporters and citizens opposed to the salvage rider. Tim's supporters held a candlelight vigil to honor his protest and to express their outrage and sorrow at the loss of America's ancient forests under this most undemocratic of laws. As the evening progressed, Tim's supporters set up tents to show their solidarity by spending the night with him at the courthouse. By Saturday morning, the courthouse plaza had been transformed into a nylon village by the tents of more than 100 supporters who spent the night camped out with Tim at the federal building. The day's events began with energizing performances by the strong contingent of musicians and drummers who gathered at the courthouse to support Tim's protest. Tim began the afternoon rally by reading from Dr. Suess's "The Lorax" a children's parable about the environmental consequences of greed. Following Tim's reading, environmental leaders supporting Tim's protest then gave a series of speeches. Tim capped off the rally by thanking his supporters and delivering an impassioned call to action that brought roars of approval from the crowd. After these events, Tim ended his fast by breaking bread and sharing it with his many followers.
"I think I've learned more genuinely that people do have a voice in their government if they are willing to exercise it"	The deeply moving end to Tim's remarkable 75 day protest was captured by television crews, and all three local television stations broadcast the story on both early and late news editions. In a newspaper article published the next day, Tim recounted his recent trip to Washington D.C., "We were in over 50 (congressional offices) over there, as well as the White House. Our presence really pumped up our allies, and it was evident our enemies didn't have much fight left in them." In a radio interview with Oregon Public Broadcasting given the same day, Tim summed up his trip to D.C., saying "I think I've learned more genuinely that people do have a voice in their government if they are willing to exercise it. If people will contact their elected officials they can make a difference." When asked by newspaper reporters about his plans for the near future, Tim said he plans to stay involved in the fight to stop logging at Warner Creek after "I get my body back in shape." Tim's fast is over, but the fight to repeal the salvage logging rider is just heating up. Tim and the ancient ones in the forest need your help more than ever. Please write, telephone, fax and email your elected officials and urge them to support Elizabeth Furse's bill to repeal the rider (the "Restoration of Natural Resources Laws on the Public Lands Act of 1995," H.R. 2745). Or, better yet, visit your representatives and senators at their local offices or in Washington D.C. Remember, time is of the essence. Following this message is information to help you keep up the fight.
	The Furse bill has approximately 50 co-sponsors, but needs many more to be assured of success, the following is a list of additional potential sponsors you should contact: Reps. DeFazio (D-OR), Wyden (D-OR), Woolsey (D-CA), Dellums (D-CA), Lantos (D-CA), Eshoo (D-CA), Lofgren (D-CA), Harman (D-CA), Filner (D-CA), Becerra (D-CA), Farr (D-CA), Richardson (D-NM), Abercrombie (D-HI), Doggett (D-TX), Hall (D-OH), Jacobs (D-IN), Markey (D-MA), Owens (D-NY), Rahall (D-WV), Ward (D-KY) and Payne (D-VA). Possible Republican co-sponsors to contact who voted for the Yates amendment to strike the rider include, Reps. Boehlert (R-NY), Torkildsen (R-MA), Lazio (R-NY), Greenwood (R-PA), Baker (R-LA), Fox (R-PA), Blute (R-MA), Ehlers (R-MI), Gilman (R-NY), Weldon (R-PA), Roukema (R-NJ) and Sanford (R-SC). To contact the above represenatives by mail, use this address: Your Representative's Name U.S. House of Representatives Washington, D.C. 20515 or call the Capitol Switchboard at 202/225-3121. Also, Senator Leahy has expressed his willingness to co-sponsor a Senate companion bill, but he would like to work with a Western Senator in a joint effort. Therefore, activists are encouraged to contact these key Senators to urge them to champion a companion rider repeal bill in the Senate with Sen. Leahy: Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) 202/224-3553 and Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) 224-2621.

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