Slade Gorton, Washington state's senior senator, took office again in 1994 with a renewed promise to listen to Washingtonians. He works hard to keep that promise. From our jobs and families to our security and way of life, Slade is a leader who fights for the people of Washington state.

Recognizing that a balanced budget will make a better future for our children and grandchildren, Slade worked hard for a budget plan that would bring stability and prosperity to our economy.

When Medicaid funding for Washington state was in danger of being drastically and disproportionately cut, Slade demanded that the state get a fair shake. He fought for, and won, more funding for health care for the poor.

With thousands of people in our timber communities struggling to survive after massive job losses, Slade pushed legislation to give them relief by allowing a modest amount of timber to be harvested. This legislation offered them hope, and much-needed jobs.

Slade is a national leader in the fight to reform the Endangered Species Act (ESA). He wants the people who are affected by ESA to be a part of the decision-making process. He believes people should have a seat at the table when decisions are made about their communities.

Fighting crime with tough and effective laws is a top priority for Slade. He supports legislation in the Senate that:

• Increases prison and law enforcement grants to the states, and makes sure that violent criminals are caught, put in jail, and made to serve terms that match their crimes.
• Gives funds directly to local communities for law enforcement and prison construction. Crime in Walla Walla, Aberdeen and Ellensburg can't be fought by Washington, DC bureaucrats.
• Stiffens criminal penalties for terrorism and other crimes that can be prosecuted by the federal government.
• Reforms legal procedures to bring fairness and balance back to the criminal justice system.

Slade also secured funding for the Edward Byrne Memorial Grants, which fund drug enforcement and crime prevention efforts.

Responding to parents, students, and teachers who are concerned about school safety, Slade is fighting to change federal laws so violent students can be removed from the classroom. He believes schools ought to be able to set their own discipline policy to address the growing problem of school violence.

For years, Congress has tried to pass product liability reform to rein in out-of-control lawsuits. In 1995 Slade introduced, and the Senate passed, the Product Liability Reform Act. This reform will put the brakes on frivolous litigation, while still protecting true victims of faulty products.

Slade works hard on behalf of Hanford. When its nuclear cleanup funds were in danger, he took action to restore much of its funding. Slade also secured money for important research and development projects at Hanford.

Agriculture is a vibrant and vital part of Washington state's economy. Slade continues to support research programs that help our farmers stay competitive. He fought to defend the Market Promotion Program, which does an excellent job of promoting our agricultural projects overseas.

Slade Gorton works for Washington state because it's a place he has proudly called home for 43 years. Slade moved to Seattle from Chicago in 1953 and married Sally Clark of Selah in 1958. Slade and Sally have three children and seven grandchildren.

Slade served in the United States Army from 1946 to 1947. He was in the U.S. Air Force Reserve, where he reached the rank of Colonel, form 1956 to 1981.

In 1958, Slade began his political career as a Washington state representative; he went on to serve as State House Majority Leader. In 1968, Slade was elected Attorney General of Washington state where he argued 14 cases before the Supreme Court. Chief Justice Warren Burger said that Slade "makes the best arguments before the Supreme Court of any Attorney General in America." In June 1980, Slade received the Wyman Award as "outstanding Attorney General in the United States."

Slade is currently in his third term in the Senate where, as the Vancouver Columbian noted, "his bills and views get respect."

Senator Gorton's Committee Assignments for the 105^th Congress:

Committee on Appropriations

Subcommittee on Interior - Chairman

Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education

Subcommittee on Agriculture

Subcommittee on Energy and Water

Subcommittee on Transportation

Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation

Subcommittee on Aviation - Chairman

Subcommittee on Consumer Affairs

Subcommittee on Communications

Subcommittee on National Ocean Policy Study

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources

Subcommittee on Energy Production and Regulation

Subcommittee on Energy Research and Development

Committee on the Budget

Select Committee on Indian Affairs

ADDRESS:

730 Hart Senate Office Building

Washington, DC 20510

PHONE:

(202)224-3441

FAX:

(202)224-9393

Internet Home Page:

http://www.senate.gov/~gorton/