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"There's a ranchette housing
development down in Texas
that has something
extra for buyers. That something
extra is much more than
granite countertops,stainless steel
appliances, or an outdoor spa.
These houses come with a check
—a subsidy from the
U.S. Department of Agriculture.

But you don't have to be a farmer
to qualify for the subsidy.
You don't even have to know
the first thing about farming.
You just have to be lucky enough
to have bought a ranchette on land
that once was used to grow rice.
If you don't feel right about
accepting the rice subsidy,
it won't do much good
to give it back. The money
will be redirected to other
landowners who are not nearly
as conscientious as you.

Hello, Alice. Welcome to the Wonderland of American
farm policy. It's a world
unto itself, a veritable thicket of
sometimes bewildering policies
that comes with a full package
of jargon and acronyms
that are opaque to almost
everyone except specialists."

—from a speech that REP Policy Director
and Washington REP member Jim DiPeso
gave at the chapter's annual meeting
Click here to read the entire speech.

 

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2009

Washington Public Legislation Enacted into Law with REP Support!

An omnibus public lands bill strongly supported by REP passed Congress with strong bipartisan majorities and was signed into law in 2009. The legislation includes a significant conservation measure for Washington:

  • Statutory permanence for the National Landscape Conservation System. The NLCS includes 26 million acres of BLM lands with special scenic, ecological, and cultural value. NLCS units in Washington include the Juniper Dunes Wilderness Area northeast of the Tri Cities, and segments of the Pacific Crest, Lewis and Clark, and Oregon national trails. The Chopaka Mountain wilderness study area, in Okanogan County, also is included.
  • Designation of the Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail, extending from Olympic National Park's coastal unit east tothe Continental Divide in Glacier National Park.
  • Designation of the Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail, creating opportunities for the public to see and learn about the geologic impacts of cataclysmic floods that swept through the Northwest 12,000 to 17,000 years ago.
Kudos to Congressman Dave Reichert for voting for this very important legislation.

Chapter Takes Part in Environmental Lobby Day

The Washington Chapter's Lloyd Flem visited Republican legislators in Olympia on February 19, 2009, Environmental Lobby Day. Lloyd talked to state representatives and senators about holding the U.S. Department of Energy to its Hanford cleanup obligations that are spelled out in the Tri-Party Agreement with the Washington Department of Ecology and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

2008


Congressman Dave Reichert, left, receives Greenest Republican in
Congress award from REP Policy Director Jim DiPeso, right, at the
Washington REP Chapter's annual meeting in Bellevue on October 4, 2008.


Congressman Dave Reichert speaks to
Washington Chapter on October 4, 2008.

Reichert Speaks at Chapter Annual Meeting

Congressman Dave Reichert was guest speaker at the Washington Chapter's annual meeting on Saturday, October 4, 2008, at Maggiano's Restaurant in Bellevue. REP Policy Director Jim DiPeso gave Reichert the "Greenest Republican in Congress" award and announced REP's endorsement of Reichert's candidacy for re-election in Washington's 8th District.

Chapter Endorses Toby Nixon

The Washington chapter has endorsed Toby Nixon for State Representative in the 45th District. Nixon is seeking to return to the state House, where he served between 2002 and 2007. Washington's 2008 primary will be held August 19 and the general election is set for November 4

State Convention Booth a Success!

Bob Batty, Harvey Brown, Lloyd and Darleen Flem, Lunell Haught and Mark Pinch, joined periocdically by Toby Nixon and Jim DiPeso, were an ongoing presence for REP's booth at the State Republican Convention in Spokane May 30-31. Hundreds of people were exposed to REP ideas, particularly focusing on our Hanford cleanup proposal. While our resolution was not adopted because of the convention's focus on McCain/Paul politics, a lot more people know about REP, thanks to our presence at the convention. Our volunteers heard a great deal of appreciation for what REP is doing.

2007

Chapter Annual Meeting Held on September 15

The Washington Chapter's annual meeting was held at the Spokane Museum of Arts and Culture. REP Policy Director Jim DiPeso spoke on The Farm Bill: When Water, Energy, Trade, and Budget Issues Collide.

At the dinner meeting, former State Representative Toby Nixon, a chapter executive committee member, spoke on the history of the Hanford Nuclear Reservation and how it became what Nixon said is the "most polluted place on the planet."

Theodore Roosevelt Dinner Held April 27

The Washington Chapter held its second annual Theodore Roosevelt Dinner on Friday, April 27, in Seattle at the Rock Salt on Lake Union Restaurant. Attorney General Rob McKenna reported on his activities on environmental matters. His report included a summary of the state's participation in litigation that resulted in a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that affirmed EPA's authority to regulate motor vehicle greenhouse gas emissions. He also reported on the state's appeal of a court ruling rejecting Initiative 297, the Hanford cleanup measure. Former State Representative Toby Nixon reported on his activities to ensure open government and citizen access to public information.

Chapter Leaders Attend Luncheon with McCain

Chapter President Jim Nobles and Policy Director Jim DiPeso attended a Seattle World Affairs Council luncheon on February 23 at which Senator John McCain (R-AZ and a member of REP's Honorary Board) was the guest speaker. Nobles attended a private reception with Senator McCain before the luncheon.

REP Member Elected State Party Chairman

REP member and former state Senator Luke Esser was elected state Republican Party chairman at a party convention on February 27, 2007.

REP Policy Director Jim DiPeso published an op-ed, GOP could boost its prospects by joining climate-change fight, in The Seattle Times.

Jim also published a letter to the editor, Leave Forests to Evolve, in The Columbian.

2006

Chapter held annual meeting

The chapter held its annual meeting on December 9, 2006 in Seattle. Members discussed legislative issues, including amending the State Environmental Policy Act, auditing the performance of buildings that must meet the state green building standard, and biofuels for school buses.

Policy Director spoke at energy, climate and wilderness events

REP Policy Director Jim DiPeso gave three speeches in the state this year:

Jim also published a letter to the editor, Criticism more credible with facts, not false charges, in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer.

Toby Nixon spoke to Kirkland Chamber

State Representtative Toby Nixon, a member of the Washington Chapter Executive Committee, gave a "Green Living" speech about ensuring a strong economy and healthy environment September 19 to the Kirkland Chamber of Commerce.

Chapter President met U.S. House Speaker

Chapter President Jim Nobles met U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert at an August 21, 2006 campaign event for Congressman Dave Reichert.

Theodore Roosevelt Celebration Dinner

The Washington State Chapter held an Earth Day dinner on April 22, 2006, to honor the achievements of President Theodore Roosevelt.

Congressman Dave Reichert (R-WA) was the keynote speaker. Reichert spoke about his opposition to oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, and his support for the proposed Wild Sky wilderness.

Chapter President Jim Nobles presented Reichert with a Certificate of Appreciation for his support of protecting the Arctic Refuge, national parks, Puget Sound, and Wild Sky.

Other speakers included state Representatives Toby Nixon and Glenn Anderson, who also serve on the chapter executive committee, and University of Washington historian Alfred Runte, who talked about TR's conservation achievements.

About 30 Republican citizens, party activists, and officeholders attended the Seattle dinner. Other Republican luminaries at the event included former five-term Secretary of State Ralph Munro (a REP member) and King County GOP Chairman Michael Young.


Above left: State Representative Glenn Anderson speaks at TR Celebration Dinner.
Above right: State Representative Toby Nixon kids with TR Dinner audience
about a ribbon-cutting he attended earlier in the day.

Environmental Lobby Day

Chapter President Jim Nobles took part in the annual Environmental Lobby Day in Olympia on January 26, 2006.

REP President Martha Marks published an op-ed, Roadless forests: The best deal a governor could make, in the Spokane Spokesman-Review

2005

Cummerbunds a Hit in Olympia!

The Washington chapter gave commemorative cummerbunds to the state's three statewide Republican elected officials during the hubbub of January 12, 2005 inauguration ceremonies at the state Capitol in Olympia.

Receiving the cummerbunds were Commissioner of Public Lands Doug Sutherland, Secretary of State Sam Reed, and Attorney General Rob McKenna. Making the presentations were chapter President Dr. Lunell Haught, REP Policy Director Jim DiPeso, and Bruce Fischer Jr., the chapter's liaison in Olympia. The cummerbunds, produced by REP member Jan Brucker, are a friendly reminder to give conservation a high priority.


From left: Commissioner of Public Lands Doug Sutherland,
chapter President Dr. Lunell Haught, Secretary of State Sam Reed,
Attorney General Rob McKenna, and REP Policy Director Jim DiPeso
Photo by Bruce Fischer Jr.

Following is the chapter's press statement:

January 10, 2005 marks the 100th anniversary of the U.S. Forest Service, created by President Theodore Roosevelt. Roosevelt's foresight and legacy are important for all Americans, but especially for the State of Washington.

In the spirit of this historic event, and just in time for the Inaugural Ball, which marks the inauguration of all newly elected state officials, the Washington Chapter of REP America presents specially commissioned cummerbunds and ties to the three Republicans elected to state office, Rob McKenna, Doug Sutherland, and Sam Reed.

Theodore Roosevelt was president at the beginning of the Edwardian Era, and embodied the spirit of the age: grace and elegance, coupled with intellect, vigor, and curiosity about the world. America was coming into the forefront as a true world power. Roosevelt knew the West would be especially important to the nation's future.

These gifts are made from fabrics which evoke water and the beauty of the Northwest, the gift of these accent pieces have double significance. We hope that as our elected officials enter their formal service to the state, that they will remember Washington's natural beauty and the environmental values so many of our citizens hold dear.

The cummerbunds and ties have been produced by Seattle attorney Jan Brucker, who will be launching a new business venture, Edwardian Exchange, later this spring to. A neighborhood and environmental activist, Ms. Brucker has long been interested in elegant fabric designs for home and personal furnishings.

Chapter Co-Sponsored Arctic Refuge photo exhibit at Burke Museum

The Washington chapter co-sponsored an exhibition of Subankar Banerjee's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge photographs at the Burke Museum in Seattle.

REP Leaders published major op-eds in state

Chapter President Dr. Lunell Haught published an op-ed, Modify Environmental Law? Not so Fast, in the Spokane Spokesman-Review.

Lunell also published a letter to the editor, Bush sneaks up on national heritage, in the Spokane Spokesman-Review.

REP Policy Director Jim DiPeso published an op-ed, From Stanwood to D.C., making energy sense, in the Seattle Times.

2004

REP Policy Director Jim DiPeso published a letter to the editor, What makes America great: Our wild lands, in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer.

2003

Chapter President Dr. Lunell Haught published an op-ed, Bush needs to start promoting real conservation, in the Spokane Spokesman-Review.

REP Policy Director Jim DiPeso published an op-ed, Roadless forest protection enjoys strong public support, in the Tacome News Tribune.

Jim also published a letter to the editor, Taxpayers will foot cost of timber industry boondoggle, in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer.

2002

REP President spoke to Washington Conservation Voters

REP President Martha Marks gave the keynote speech at the annual breakfast of Washington Conservation Voters on October 16, 2002 in Seattle.

REP Policy Director Jim DiPeso published a letter to the editor, Don't wait till we face an irreversible situation, in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer.

2001

REP member Jim Scarantino published an op-ed, End America's energy insecurity, in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer.

REP Policy Director Jim DiPeso published a letter to the editor, Protecting the environment is more than a photo op, in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer.

Washington REP members tabled for the first time to tell others about our organization.


Tabling for REP are Dr. Thomas MacLean,
Jim DiPeso, and Bruce Fischer Jr.

2000

REP President Martha Marks published an op-ed, A golden opportunity for the GOP: Protect America's estuaries and build environmental credibility, in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer.

1996

Jim DiPeso published a letter to the editor, GOP leaders should protect the environment, in the Valley Daily News. This was Jim's very first publication on REP's behalf. He went on to serve as a founding director of Republicans for Environmental Protection and since 2001 has been REP's Policy Director.

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