U.S. Senator-elect Merkley draws crowd

SENIOR CENTER STOP: Democratic U.S. Sen.-elect Jeff Merkley, speaking in La Grande Tuesday, said government entitlement programs like county payments remain important, as does a policy that supports the wood products industry. Observer photos/PHIL BULLOCK

Merkley, fresh off his successful and oft-controversial bid to unseat Republican incumbent Sen. Gordon Smith, talked about an end to the war in Iraq, universal health care, creation of jobs through construction of roads and bridges, and the building of a “green” economy.

He also praised the American people’s election of a working majority of Democrats to the Senate and Barack Obama to the presidency.

Noting that Tuesday was Veterans Day, Smith offered words of thanks for the men and women who have served in the armed forces. He called for better care for veterans returning from conflicts over seas.

Saying the country should be “slow to go to war and fast to take care of those who serve,” Merkley called for better health care and mental health services for vets.

“Screening for post-traumatic stress disorder should be offered repeatedly,” he said.

He also said he hopes the federal government will follow

Oregon’s lead by offering tuition grants for family members of soldiers who die in war.

“Oregon is one of the only states to have that. I think it’s something we should do as a nation,” he said.

Merkley also said he thinks the country should end its involvement in Iraq.

“It’s time to get out of Iraq and bring our sons and daughters home,” he said.

In other remarks, Merkley said health care and jobs are the concerns he hears about the most.

He said he supports affordable health care for all. On the jobs issue, he said he believes many people can be put to work strengthening the nation’s infrastructure.

“Families are strong in part because of living wage jobs. It’s time to create those jobs in America by building bridges and roads,” he said.

He added that a new energy policy favoring “green” products like biofuels can have positive impact on the nation’s economy.

“We can have an energy policy that’s also a jobs policy,” he said.

Sharing concerns: Norm Cimon of La Grande, left, talks with U.S. Sen.-elect Jeff Merkley at the Union County Senior Center Tuesday. Looking on, background center, and waiting to speak with the senator-elect is George Monroe of La Grande. The Observer/PHIL BULLOCK

“Message received,” Merkley replied, adding that government entitlement programs like county payments remain important, as does a policy that supports the wood products industry.

“The best way forward is a compromise for a steady supply of logs. We’re not managing the forests well. Producing receipts through jobs would be the number one goal,” he said.

Margaret Davidson, executive director of Community Connection of Northeast Oregon, told Merkley she is concerned about dwindling funding for services for seniors. Merkley agreed there is a problem, especially now when “baby boomers” are reaching Social Security age.

“We’re entering a period where there will be many challenges, increased health care demand and a decrease in available health care providers. We need a national strategy to help address it,” he said.

He praised U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden for work done in the area of senior services. He said he plans to work closely with Wyden on the issues, including legislation that would allow Medicare to negotiate drug prices.

Other concerns expressed by people at the meeting included disposal of nuclear waste from the Hanford facility, and support for the programs of the Confederated Tribes on the Umatilla Indian Reservation.

La Grande was one stop on a four-city tour of Oregon Merkley took Monday and Tuesday. He also made appearances in Eugene, Medford and Bend.

He told the crowd in La Grande that he plans to follow Wyden’s lead in holding a “town hall” style meeting once each year in every Oregon county.

“You’ll be seeing more of me and I’ll be seeing more of you,” he said.