Press Releases
Wyden, Castillo Unveil Proposals to Improve "No Child Left Behind" Law
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Oregon Superintendent of Public Instruction Susan Castillo today unveiled a five-point proposal for improving the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) law. The proposal is synthesized from the concerns and suggestions of parents, teachers, school and community leaders; Wyden has held numerous "listening sessions" on NCLB across Oregon in recent months and during her first year in office, Castillo visited 35 school districts in the state and gathered … Continue Reading
February 26, 2004
Senators Seek to Protect Computer Users from "Spyware," Hidden Downloads
Washington, DC - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Conrad Burns (R-Mont.) and Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) today introduced legislation to prohibit spyware, adware, and other invasive software from being secretly installed on Americans' computers. For the first time, the SPYBLOCK (Software Principles Yielding Better Levels of Consumer Knowledge) Act would prohibit installing software on somebody else's computer without notice and consent, and requires reasonable "uninstall" procedures … Continue Reading
February 25, 2004
Wyden Questions Ridge in Data-Mining by Department of Homeland Security
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) today called on Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Tom Ridge to provide information on all data-mining activities currently being undertaken by the Department. Wyden, who questioned Ridge during the morning's Budget Committee hearing on homeland security funding, has long worked to ensure that the Federal government's data-mining efforts respect Americans' privacy and civil liberties. "A whole host of information is being … Continue Reading
February 24, 2004
Oregon Dunes, Winchester Bay Land Conveyance to Become Law
Washington, DC - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Gordon Smith (R-Ore.) today announced final congressional approval of their Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area land transfer legislation, aimed at improving access to the site and boosting the tourism economy of the South Coast. The Wyden-Smith bill (S. 714) directs the Secretary of the Interior to convey approximately 68.5 acres from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to Douglas County to be managed for open space and for recreational … Continue Reading
February 23, 2004
Allen and Wyden Respond to Attacks onInternet Access Tax Ban
WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senators George Allen (R-VA) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) issued the following response to attacks today on S. 150 the Internet Tax Non-Discrimination Act.Our bill focuses on protecting the American consumers from the overbearing arms of state and local tax commissars. Do we want to continue to grow and expand our economy, our small businesses and educational resources or do we want to impose a stifling tax on consumers? I believe the Internet should remain as accessible as … Continue Reading
February 18, 2004
Federal economic development agency threatensto leave distressed rural areas behind
Portland, OR U.S. Senator Ron Wyden today questioned a new Economic Development Administration (EDA) policy that threatens to change the focus of federal funding designed to help distressed rural areas, and instead use it to benefit areas with significant private-sector resources.David Sampson, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development, discussed the fact that EDA has adopted new internal performance standards at a February 11 conference in Medford, Oregon. One of the new … Continue Reading
February 18, 2004
Wyden, Smith Announce more than $2.2 Million for Head Start Projects
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Gordon Smith (R-Ore.) today announced that Mid-Columbia Children's Council, Inc. in Hood River will be awarded $2,267,792 for Head Start projects. Head Start programs serve children from birth to age five and prepare them for successful educational careers. Head Start offers assistance with early childhood development, medical and dental care, and parental involvement. "Head Start programs help put Oregon kids on the right track for … Continue Reading
February 17, 2004
Wyden, Smith Announce Employment Aid for Klamath First Bank Workers
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Gordon Smith (R-Ore.) today announced a federal grant for as much as $668,790 to assist workers affected by the closure of the Klamath First Bank in Klamath Falls, Oregon. The Oregon State Board of Education, which will administer the grant, will receive $248,796 initially in Workforce Investment Act emergency grant funds from the U.S. Department of Labor. Funds will help to provide employment-related assistance such as individual … Continue Reading
February 17, 2004
Wyden, Smith Announce Employment Aid for Viking Industries Workers
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Gordon Smith (R-Ore.) today announced a federal grant for as much as $245,345 to assist workers affected by the closure of Viking Industries in Gresham, Oregon. The grant of Workforce Investment Act emergency funds is being awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor to the Oregon State Board of Education, which will administer the project. The funds will help to provide employment-related assistance such as individual counseling, career … Continue Reading
February 13, 2004
Yamhill County to Receive More Than $900,000 for Head Start
WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senators Gordon Smith (R-OR) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) announced today that Head Start of Yamhill County will receive $925,067 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to continue providing Head Start services to children aged 3 to 5 years.Head Start helps kids get past some difficult obstacles and find a valuable foothold to begin their lives. said Smith. Its a program that translates into tremendous benefit for Oregon communities.For more than 15 years, … Continue Reading
February 12, 2004
Talent, Wyden Secure $15 Billion Transportation Infrastructure Bonding Package in Highway Bill
(WASHINGTON, D.C.) U.S. Senators Jim Talent (R-Mo.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) tonight secured an additional $15 billion for America's transportation infrastructure needs, with the inclusion of a Federal bonding packing in the Safe, Accountable, Flexible and Efficient Transportation Equity Act (SAFE-TEA) of 2004, passed by the Senate tonight. The Senators also won passage of an amendment creating the Build America Corporation, laying the foundation for their larger Build America Bonds program to … Continue Reading
February 12, 2004
Wydens bill to create Prineville forest health research center garners Administration, local support in U.S. Senate hearing
Washington, D.C. U.S. Senator Ron Wydens bill (S. 1910) to create a forest health research center at the headquarters of the Ochoco National Forest in Prineville had its first U.S. Senate hearing today. The Prineville facility would be charged with carrying out a major requirement of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act: to inventory and assess forest stands on federal forest land and, with the consent of owners, private forest land.The objectives of the inventory and assessment are to … Continue Reading
February 11, 2004
Wyden Calls on President to Reject Report PraisingOutsourcing of U.S. Jobs
Washington, DC At a time when thousands of Oregonians need work, U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) today called on the President to reject the position of his Administrations Council of Economic Advisors that the outsourcing of U.S. jobs to workers overseas is good for our nation's economy. Wyden joined a number of Senators in writing to the President to express their concern about the Councils position, and encourage instead an examination of ways to protect American jobs from outsourcing.Each … Continue Reading
February 10, 2004
Senate Support Growing For Wyden's "Build America Bonds" as Highway Legislation Moves Forward
Washington, DC - As the U.S. Senate considers major highway funding legislation this week, U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) today said there is growing support for his bipartisan Build America Bonds proposal - a major transportation infrastructure initiative with U.S. Senator Jim Talent (R-Mo.) that has the potential to create 2.5 million new jobs, generate $319 billion in economic activity and save thousands of lives by improving transportation safety. Joining Wyden and Talent in a press … Continue Reading
February 03, 2004
Statement of U.S. Senator Ron Wyden on Senate Ricin Incident and Closure of Senate Office Buildings
"Today the U.S. Capitol Police closed all of the Senate office buildings due to the ricin that was discovered in Senator Frist's office. While this has closed my Washington, D.C. offices, my D.C. staff and I are at still at work, some working in my small office within the Capitol building, and some are working from home. In addition, my offices in Oregon are all open and are assisting constituents. Every member of my staff - and all members of Congress and their staffs -- go to work each day … Continue Reading
January 26, 2004
Wyden Redoubles Efforts to Extend Unemployment Benefits for Oregonians
Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) today threw his support behind the Emergency Unemployment Compensation Extension Act (S. 2006), legislation to extend unemployment benefits by 13 weeks or more for out-of-work Oregonians whose benefits have expired. Oregon has one of highest unemployment rates in the nation, and more Oregonians lose their benefits each week as their state unemployment insurance runs out. In addition to making 13 weeks of Federal funds available to those whose … Continue Reading
January 23, 2004
Hood River Head Start to receive more than $700,000 for Operations
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Gordon Smith (R-OR) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) announced today that the Mid-Columbia Children's Council in Hood River will receive $704,701 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to continue providing Head Start services to children aged 3 to 5 years. "Head Start is a terrific program that provides lasting benefit in Oregon communities," said Smith. "Children in Hood River have a great opportunity to learn the skills and lessons that will take … Continue Reading
January 22, 2004
Wyden, Smith Win Millions for Oregon Infrastructure Projects, Estuary Protection
Washington, DC - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Gordon Smith (R-Ore.) today announced that Oregon will receive more than $6.5 million in economic development and infrastructure funds, including $1.2 million for redevelopment of the South Waterfront area in Portland, and also will share in a $24.5 million multi-state appropriation for estuary protection. These funds are included in the Fiscal Year 2004 omnibus funding measure that will now be signed into law by the president. "These … Continue Reading
January 22, 2004
Wyden, Smith Secure Millions for Oregon, OSU Agriculture Research
Washington, DC - Today U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Gordon Smith (R-Ore.) announced that agricultural projects in Oregon and the entire Northwest will receive nearly $11 million in federal funds. Oregon State University, a regional agriculture research leader, will directly receive more than $2.2 million in new funding and increases over Fiscal Year 2003 amounts, and will share in more than $7.1 million in new funding and increases. These funds were included in omnibus funding measure … Continue Reading
January 22, 2004
Wyden, Smith Secure $250,000 to Protect Victims of Child Abuse
Washington, DC - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Gordon Smith (R-Ore.) today announced $250,000 for the Multnomah County Children's Receiving Center, a facility providing professional care and support to children up to 18 years of age who have been removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect. These children are cared for in a home-like setting until they can transition to foster or alternate family placement. These funds are included in the omnibus funding measure that will now be … Continue Reading
