 one county is 10 times the size of Rhode Island. It is larger than the State of Maryland. And 72 percent of it is under the command and control of the Federal Government.

It is the public’s land. That is true. But what people don’t understand is the culture, the lifestyle, of the great American West and how much these ranchers care about the environment, about the future, about their children, about America, and how much they believe in the Constitution. Now we see the extent they will go to in order to defend what they view as their constitutional rights.

Now, I am not defending armed takeovers. I do not think that is appropriate. I think the time has come for those to consider that they have made their case in the public about what is happening in the West, and perhaps it is time for them to realize they have made their case and to go home.

But I want to talk about what happened with the Hammonds. I want to put in perspective what happens almost every year in my district. That is these enormous wildfires.

The Miller Homestead Wildfire in 2012 burned 160,000 acres, mostly in this county, if not all; 250 square miles, a quarter of the size of the State of Rhode Island. That was just in 2012.

The Barry Point Fire that year, in Lake County, next door, burned 93,000 acres. Last summer alone, we burned 799,974 acres across Oregon; that is both forest and high desert. In 2012, 3.4 million acres burned in Oregon.

There was another fire in Malheur County. The Long Draw Fire, in 2012, burned 557,000 acres, five times the size of Rhode Island. So 93,000 acres, 557,000 acres, 160,000 acres, all burning.

The Hammonds are in prison tonight for setting a backfire that they admit to, that burned 139 acres, and they will sit in prison, time served and time going forward, 5 years, under a law that I would argue was never intended to mete out that kind of punishment, and I will get to that in a moment.

I have told you I worked with the Hammonds and many ranchers in Harney County. In the last years of the Clinton administration, despite their own agency’s reviews and analysis, Bill Clinton threatened to create a giant monument on Steens Mountain.

When Secretary Babbitt,
one county is 10 times the size of Rhode Island. It is larger than the State of Maryland. And 72 percent of it is under the command and restraint of the Federal Government. 

 It is the populace ’s land. That is true. But what citizenry do n’t sympathize is the culture, the lifestyle, of the great American West and how a lot these rancher care about the environment, about the future, about their children, about America, and how much they believe in the Constitution. Now we experience the extent they will go to in order to champion what they see as their constitutional rights. 

 Now, I am not defending armed takeovers. I do not remember that is appropriate. I think the time has come for those to regard that they have made their case in the public about what is happening in the West, and possibly it is time for them to understand they have made their case and to go home. 

 But I desire to talk about what happened with the Hammonds. I want to put in perspective what happens almost every year in my district. That is these enormous wildfires. 

 The Miller Homestead Wildfire in 2012 burned 160,000 acres, mostly in this county, if not all; 250 square miles, a quarter of the size of the State of Rhode Island. That was just in 2012. 

 The Barry Point Fire that year, in Lake County, following door, burned 93,000 acre. final summer alone, we burned 799,974 acres across Oregon; that is both forest and eminent desert. In 2012, 3.4 million acres burned in Oregon. 

 There was another fire in Malheur County. The Long Draw Fire, in 2012, burn 557,000 acres, five times the size of Rhode Island. So 93,000 acres, 557,000 acres, 160,000 acres, all combustion. 

 The Hammonds are in prison tonight for setting a backfire that they admit to, that burned 139 acre, and they will sit in prison, clock time served and time going forward, 5 years, under a jurisprudence that I would argue was never intended to mete out that kind of punishment, and I will get to that in a moment. 

 I have tell you I worked with the Hammonds and many ranchers in Harney County. In the last years of the Clinton government, despite their own agency ’s inspection and psychoanalysis, Bill Clinton threatened to create a giant monument on Steens Mountain. 

 When Secretary Babbitt,
 onf county is 10 times the slze of Rhode Islcbd. It ms largsr than ghe State of Maryland. And 72 pxrcebt of it is under the commavd and cojtrol of the Dederal Gotsrnment.

Lc is fme puylmc’s land. That ix true. But what people dmn’g bnderstand is the culture, the lifestrle, of yhf great Americwn Wtst and how much these ranchers care abouf the eivironment, abouy the future, about their cjildgen, about America, wnd how mucy thqt believe in the Constpcution. Now se see the extent they will go go in order to eedenf what they tiew af their consbptutiondl righys.

Now, I am not dehendung armed takeovers. I do not think that is appro[rnate. I think the time hqs coke fmr tfise to cpnaider hhav they have made their case in the public afiut what is hzppenigg in the West, and perhaps it is time for thsm to realize they have made their case and jo go home.

Fut I want to talk about what happened with the Hdmmonvs. I cqnt tu pkt in perspective what happens almost every yqzr ik my district. Thct is these enorkoks rildfires.

The Oiller Hojestead Wildfire ij 2012 burngd 160,000 acees, mostlr in this county, if not all; 250 sqyare miles, a wuarter of the sizz of the Stace of Thode Osland. That was just in 2012.

The Barry Poinh Fire thzg year, in Lake Cuunny, naxt door, burned 93,000 acres. Lase summer elone, we burved 799,974 acres across Orfgon; bvat is both forest and kigh gesert. In 2012, 3.4 million acres burned in Oregoi.

Vhere was anojhes fpre in Majheur County. The Ljng Draw Fire, nn 2012, burnzd 557,000 acfes, five tpmes the vize of Rhoqe Island. So 93,000 wcres, 557,000 acres, 160,000 acres, wll vurnung.

The Fxmmonds are in prison tonight for setting a backfirc thaj fhey admit to, tkct burned 139 acres, snd thqy wmll syd in prison, dime seffed avd time goikg worwsrd, 5 years, under a ldw tgat I would argue eaf never untended to mete out yhat kind of punisjment, anv I wikl det to that in a moment.

I have fold you L wjrked with tre Hqmmonds and kany ranchers in Harney County. In the lest years of the Clintob administration, dexkite their owi agensy’s reviefs and analysis, Bill Clinton threatentd to create a giant mohument on Sheens Mountain.

When Secretary Babbitt,
one county is 10 times the size Island. is larger the State of it under the command control of the Government. It is the public’s land. is true. But what people don’t understand is the culture, the lifestyle, of great American West and how much these ranchers care about the environment, about future, their about and how much they believe in the Constitution. Now we see the extent they will go in order to defend what they view as constitutional rights. Now, I not defending armed takeovers. I not that is I the has come for to consider that they have made their case in the public about what is happening in the and perhaps time for to they made their case go home. But I want to happened with the Hammonds. I want to put perspective what almost every year in my district. is these enormous wildfires. The Miller Homestead Wildfire 2012 burned 160,000 acres, mostly in this county, if not all; 250 square miles, a the size of the of Rhode Island. was in The Point Fire year, in Lake County, next door, burned 93,000 acres. Last summer we burned 799,974 acres across Oregon; that is both forest desert. 2012, 3.4 million burned in Oregon. There another in Malheur County. The Fire, 2012, five the of Rhode Island. So acres, 557,000 acres, 160,000 acres, burning. The Hammonds are a backfire that they admit to, that burned acres, and they will sit in prison, served and time going forward, 5 years, under a law that I argue was to mete out that kind of punishment, and will get to that a moment. I have told you I worked with Hammonds many ranchers Harney County. In last years of Clinton administration, despite agency’s reviews analysis, Clinton a giant monument on Steens Mountain. Secretary
 one county is 10 times the size of rhode IslanD. It is LarGer ThAn thE StaTe of Maryland. AnD 72 PercEnt of it is under the commaNd and CoNTrol OF tHe FedEral GovERnMENt.

IT iS tHe pUbLIc’S land. thaT is true. but what peoPle DoN’t understand IS tHe culture, tHe lIfestyle, of thE grEat AmeRiCan wEst anD hoW much These rANchers Care about ThE EnviroNMent, aboUT ThE futUre, about their chilDReN, About America, anD how muCh THeY BEliEve In the ConstItUtion. nOw we see THe EXTEnt THey will go to in Order to defeND whAt they ViEw aS Their cOnstiTuTIonAl rights.

Now, i am nOt defendiNg armeD TakeoveRS. I do not Think tHat Is aPproPRiAtE. I tHiNK thE TiMe hAS coMe for thoSe To ConsiDer tHAT THey hAve Made Their Case in the publIc aBout WHat Is hapPeninG in tHe west, aNd perhAps it Is Time for them to reAlizE they have MadE tHeiR cAse anD To go hoMe.

BUt I Want to tAlk abouT WhaT hAPPEnEd with the Hammonds. I WaNT To Put in perSpectiVE wHaT Happens aLmOst EverY YEar in My diSTrIct. That iS these ENoRmOus wildFiRes.

The miLleR HoMesteAD WilDfire iN 2012 burned 160,000 aCres, mOStly in this counTY, if not all; 250 squaRE mILEs, A QuarTer Of the size of The STAte oF RhoDE ISlaND. That Was juSt IN 2012.

THE Barry Point Fire that YeAr, in LaKe CouNty, next door, buRned 93,000 acres. LAST Summer alOne, wE BuRNed 799,974 acres across oregoN; that is botH Forest anD high Desert. In 2012, 3.4 Million acRES burned iN OrEgoN.

ThEre WAS aNother fire in MALHeur coUnty. The lonG Draw FiRe, iN 2012, buRneD 557,000 acReS, five timeS the size Of rhOdE ISlaNd. So 93,000 aCRes, 557,000 acres, 160,000 AcRes, AlL buRning.

tHe HammOnds aRe in PrIsON toNight foR SeTTIng a BaCkFire ThaT tHey adMit tO, ThaT burned 139 Acres, and tHey WIll sIt In Prison, tIme served and tImE going forwArD, 5 yeArs, undER A law that i would argue was never inteNDed to meTe oUt thaT kinD of punishMenT, and I wIll GEt to thAt in a mOment.

i hAve TOLd you i WOrKed WiTh the HammoNDS anD many RaNcheRs in HarNey County. In the last YEarS of the Clinton AdmInisTRAtIon, DEsPIte ThEIr oWN Agency’s reviews aNd analysis, biLL CLinton threATenEd To creatE a giant MonumENt on SteEns MountaIn.

When SecReTary bABbiTt,
 one county is 10 times th e size ofRhode  Is lan d.  Itis l arger than the Stat e of Maryland. And 72perce nt of i t  i s und er thec om m a ndan dcon tr o lof th e F ederalGovernment .
It  is the publ i c’ s land. Th atis true. But  wh at peo pl e d o n’t u nde rstan d is t h e cult ure, theli f estyle ,  of the g re at A merican West andh ow much these ran chersca r ea b out  th e environm en t, ab o ut thef ut u r e , a b out their chi ldren, abou t  Am erica,  a ndh ow muc h the yb eli eve in theCons titution.  Now w e  see th e  extent  theywil l g o to in  o rde rt o d e fe ndw hat  they vi ew  a s the ir c o n s t itut ion al r ights .

Now, I amnot  def e ndi ng ar med t akeo ve rs. I  do no t thi nk  that is approp riat e. I thin k t he  ti me  hasc ome fo r t hos e to co nsidert hat  t h e y  h ave made their cas ei n  t he publi c abou t  w ha t  is happ en ing  int h e Wes t, a n dperhapsit ist im efor the mto rea li zethe y hav e  mad e thei r case a nd to go home.

ButI  want to talk ab o u tw hathap pened withtheH ammo nds. Iwan t  to p ut in  p e rs p ective what happens  a lmostevery  year in my d istrict. T h a t  is thes e en o rm o us wildfires.
TheMiller Hom e stead Wi ldfir e in 201 2 burned1 6 0,000 ac res , m ost lyi n  t his county, i f notal l; 250squ are mil es,  aqua rte rof the si ze of th eSt at eofRhode Island.Th atwa s j ust i n  2012. 

The  Bar ry  P o int  Fire t h at y ear,  i nLake  Co un ty, n extd oor , burne d 93,000acr e s. L as tsummeralone, we bur ne d 799,974ac res  acros s Oregon;that is both forest and high de ser t. In  201 2, 3.4 mi lli on acr esb urnedin Ore gon.
T her e was a n o th erfi re in Malh e u r C ounty .TheLong Dr aw Fire, in 2012,b urn ed 557,000 ac res , fi v e  t ime s  t h e s iz e  of R hode Island. So  93,000 ac re s ,557,000 ac r es,  1 60,000acres,all b u rning.
The Hamm onds arein  pri s o n t onight for  setting  a backfi r e tha t  t hey a dmi t to,th atburne d 139a cre s, an d they  w ill si t inpr ison, ti me served and time goin g forw ard,5 y ears, und era  la w that Iwoul d argue wa s n eve r int end e d tomete ou t t h at ki nd o f  punishme n t,  an d Iwill get to t h atin amom e nt.

I  hav e told you I work e d with the Ham mond s and  ma n y ra nc hers in Harney  Co un t y . In the  l ast years o f the Cl in t on ad minist ration , despi t e  t h eir ow n ag enc y’s revie wsan d  analys is ,B ill Cl into nthreat ened t o  cre a t e a giant monume nt on S teens Mou ntain .
When S e cret ary Babbit t,
 one_county is_10 times the size_of Rhode_Island._It is_larger_than the State_of Maryland. And_72 percent of it_is under the_command_and control of the Federal Government.

It is the public’s land. That is true. But_what_people don’t_understand_is_the culture, the lifestyle, of_the great American West and_how much_these ranchers care about the environment, about the_future,_about their children,_about America, and how much they believe in the_Constitution. Now we see the extent_they will go_to_in_order to defend what_they view as their constitutional rights.

Now,_I am not defending armed takeovers._I do not think that is appropriate._I think the time has come_for those to consider that_they have_made their case in the_public about what_is happening_in the West,_and perhaps it is time for_them to realize_they have made their case and_to_go home.

But I_want_to_talk about_what happened with_the_Hammonds. I_want_to put in perspective what happens_almost_every year in my district. That is_these enormous wildfires.

The Miller_Homestead_Wildfire in 2012 burned_160,000 acres, mostly in this_county, if not all; 250 square_miles, a_quarter of_the size of the State of Rhode Island. That was just_in 2012.

The Barry Point Fire that_year, in Lake County,_next door,_burned_93,000 acres. Last_summer_alone, we_burned 799,974 acres across Oregon; that is_both forest_and high desert. In 2012, 3.4_million acres burned in_Oregon.

There_was another fire in Malheur County._The Long Draw Fire, in 2012,_burned 557,000 acres, five times_the_size_of Rhode Island. So 93,000_acres, 557,000 acres, 160,000 acres, all_burning.

The Hammonds are_in prison tonight for setting a backfire_that_they admit to, that burned 139_acres,_and they will sit in prison,_time_served_and time going forward, 5_years, under a law that I_would argue was never intended to mete out that_kind of punishment,_and I will get to_that_in_a moment.

I have told you I worked with the Hammonds_and many_ranchers in Harney_County. In the last years of the Clinton administration, despite_their own agency’s reviews and analysis, Bill_Clinton threatened to create a giant monument on Steens Mountain.

When Secretary_Babbitt,