An essay by former US Congressman Les AuCoin titled "Don't Get Hosed by Political Firefighters: How Political Framing Influences Fire Policy," likely written sometime during the second term of the George W. Bush Administration. The abstract for the essay states "The Bush White House carefully chose the phrase 'healthy forests' to characterize its effort to increase logging in the public's national forests. It was a masterpiece of political 'framing' -- the art of creating a central organizing idea or context for an issue through use of selection, emphasis, exclusion, and elaboration. 'Healthy forests' evokes a sense of environmental protection and personal safety at a time of deep fear of wildland fire." Former Congressman AuCoin's essay also centers around the Yellowstone fires of 1988.
Extension of Remarks of US Congressman Les AuCoin containing letters regarding the Ronald Reagan Administration's proposal to sell off "surplus" Oregon public lands, published on September 14, 1982. The Extension of Remarks statement includes a copy of a letter which was sent to Congressman AuCoin by one of his constituents, Joe Reinhart of Portland, Oregon. Both Reinhart and Congressman AuCoin criticized the Reagan Administration's plan.
Testimony of US Congressman Les AuCoin regarding legislation to resolve the issues of RARE (Roadless Area Review and Evalutions) II in Oregon, delivered before the House Interior Subcommittee on Public Lands and National Parks on December 6, 1982.
US Congressman Les AuCoin's remarks delivered at a luncheon hosted by the Izaak Walton League in Portland, Oregon on October 29, 1982. The League was an environmental conservation organization with a special focus on clean water. In his speech, Congressman AuCoin discussed the state of the timber based economy, his then recent experiences as a member of the Appropriations Committee in Congress, and an upcoming vote for the National Forest Service Budget.
A video featuring footage of a NBC News story covering a 1989 "Timber Summit" held in Salem, Oregon organized by the Oregon congressional delegation. The news story included an interview with US Congressman Les AuCoin. The 1980s and early 1990s in Oregon were marked by a declining timber industry, including a large-scale debate between environmentalists (including members of the ESA Committee, the "God Squad") concerned about protecting the habitat of the endangered northern spotted owl and the members of the logging industry who argued that the Endangered Species Act and its regulations reduced the number of jobs for timber workers.
A speech by U.S. Congressman Les AuCoin before a hearing regarding the "Department of Energy's Draft Environmental Impact Statement on the Disposal of Hanford High-Level Defense Wastes." The speech was given on July 10, 1986. In his speech, Congressman AuCoin discussed the plans of the Appropriations Committee to express concern over the Department of Energy's continued disposal of military wastes at the Hanford Nuclear Site. The Hanford Site (also known as the Hanford Nuclear Site and the Hanford Nuclear Reservation) is a now decommisioned nuclear production site in Washington State that hosted the world's first plutonium production reactor. It currently hosts the sole nuclear power plant in the Northwest. This is one of a collection of digitized objects from the Les AuCoin Papers (MS.147) at the Pacific University Archives. AuCoin served in the Oregon House of Representatives (1971-1975) and in the United States House of Representatives from Oregon's 1st District (1975-1993).
A statement to a congressional colleague by U.S. Congressman Les AuCoin regarding Northwest regional power legislation. In his statement, Congressman advocated for his proposed amendment to the legislation, which aimed to help "mitigate the devastating effects of the region's power generating system on the salmon." This is one of a collection of digitized objects from the Les AuCoin Papers (MS.147) at the Pacific University Archives. AuCoin served in the Oregon House of Representatives (1971-1975) and in the United States House of Representatives from Oregon's 1st District (1975-1993).
A rough draft of a statement by U.S. Congressman Les AuCoin for the Extension of Remarks section of the Congressional Record regarding legislation that encouraged reforestation of private timberlands. In his statement, Congressman AuCoin described reforestation as economically and environmentally beneficial, and he explained that the bill would enable "thousands of woodlot owners to recover capitalized reforestation expenses." This is one of a collection of digitized objects from the Les AuCoin Papers (MS.147) at the Pacific University Archives. AuCoin served in the Oregon House of Representatives (1971-1975) and in the United States House of Representatives from Oregon's 1st District (1975-1993).
In a letter addressed to a friend (likely a congressional colleague), U.S. Congressman Les AuCoin advocated for proposed national bottle bill legislation. A bottle bill is legislation that aims to create a deposit-based returnable system for single use beverage containers. Congressman AuCoin explained in his letter how he was among the writers of Oregon's Bottle Bill of 1971, the first of such legislation passed in the nation. This is one of a collection of digitized objects from the Les AuCoin Papers (MS.147) at the Pacific University Archives. AuCoin served in the Oregon House of Representatives (1971-1975) and in the United States House of Representatives from Oregon's 1st District (1975-1993).
A statement by U.S. Congressman Les AuCoin advocating for "Bottle Bill" legislation before the Subcommittee on Monopolies and Commercial Law of the House Judiciary Committee on April 24, 1980. In his statement, Congressman AuCoin expressed his support for H.R. 3567, the "Soft Drink Interbrand Competition Act," and H.R. 3573, the "Soft Drink Energy Conservation and Interbrand Competition Act." He claimed that both would encourage the preservation of the returnable container system in the soft drink industry, which he called "good for the environment, good for the economy, good for the industry, and good for the consumer." Congressman AuCoin argued that these bills were a step closer a "true 'National Bottle Bill'," similar to the legislation Oregon pioneered in 1971 with the state's deposit-return system for single use beverage containers. This is one of a collection of digitized objects from the Les AuCoin Papers (MS.147) at the Pacific University Archives. AuCoin served in the Oregon House of Representatives (1971-1975) and in the United States House of Representatives from Oregon's 1st District (1975-1993).
In a speech on the U.S. House floor, Congressman Les AuCoin expresses his support for proposed amendments to H.R. 12927. H.R. 12927 of the 95th Congress was labeled the "Military Construction Appropriation Act". Among other goals, the bill aimed to address the budget of the Environmental Protection Agency, and its research and development function ("R&D"). This is one of a collection of digitized objects from the Les AuCoin Papers (MS.147) at the Pacific University Archives. AuCoin served in the Oregon House of Representatives (1971-1975) and in the United States House of Representatives from Oregon's 1st District (1975-1993).
In a letter to a fellow member of Congress, U.S. Congressman Les AuCoin expressed his support for H.R. 39, a bill that aimed to protect certain public lands in Alaska. AuCoin described how "boundaries were carefully drawn to exclude those areas of high mineral and energy values." H.R. 39 was first introduced in the 95th Congress, but it did not become law until the 96th Congress. This is one of a collection of digitized objects from the Les AuCoin Papers (MS.147) at the Pacific University Archives. AuCoin served in the Oregon House of Representatives (1971-1975) and in the United States House of Representatives from Oregon's 1st District (1975-1993).
In a 1978 speech on the U.S. House floor, Congressman Les AuCoin advocated for S.1360, an amendment on Section 14(e) of the National Forest Management Act of 1976. The measure, which was eventually passed in Congress, changed the way that timber sales on the lands of the National Forest System were practiced, especially in regards to bidding. This is one of a collection of digitized objects from the Les AuCoin Papers (MS.147) at the Pacific University Archives. AuCoin served in the Oregon House of Representatives (1971-1975) and in the United States House of Representatives from Oregon's 1st District (1975-1993).
In a speech before the House Committee on Public Works and Transportation, Congressman Les AuCoin advocated for amending the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to address concerns regarding the "disposal of seafood wastes into the marine environment." AuCoin described how Environmental Protection Agency regulations can be too strict in preventing the dumping of biodegradable waste, causing fish life to face a decrease in seafood particles to feed on. This is one of a collection of digitized objects from the Les AuCoin Papers (MS.147) at the Pacific University Archives. AuCoin served in the Oregon House of Representatives (1971-1975) and in the United States House of Representatives from Oregon's 1st District (1975-1993).
In a speech before the Subcommittee of Indian Affairs and Public Lands, Congressman Les AuCoin proposed new policies and funding to address restrictions and management issues facing the Bull Run Reserve. The Bull Run Reserve contains the Bull Run Watershed, which supplies water to the Portland metro area -- about 1/3 of Oregon's population in 1977. Congressman AuCoin advocated for maintaining water quality at Bull Run Watershed, as well as controlled protective and commercial logging. This is one of a collection of digitized objects from the Les AuCoin Papers (MS.147) at the Pacific University Archives. AuCoin served in the Oregon House of Representatives (1971-1975) and in the United States House of Representatives from Oregon's 1st District (1975-1993).
In a speech to the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce in Albany, Oregon, on May 27, 1977, Congressman Les AuCoin discusses the U.S. economy and international trade for World Trade Week, a week long event during the third week of May proclaimed annually by the president of the United States. Congressman AuCoin expressed his overall support for President Carter's economic stimulus package, though AuCoin explained how he is also personally advocating for the 200-mile fisheries protection zone to boost the fishing industry, better management of the U.S. timber industry to keep timber prices low, energy conservation and alternative power sources to stimulate a new power industry, and federal funding for housing development programs. AuCoin also expressed his support for international trade, including improving the U.S. China trade relationship, which in turn would benefit the U.S. and Oregon economies.This is one of a collection of digitized objects from the Les AuCoin Papers (MS.147) at the Pacific University Archives. AuCoin served in the Oregon House of Representatives (1971-1975) and in the United States House of Representatives from Oregon's 1st District (1975-1993).
On the U.S. House floor, Congressman Les AuCoin cosponsored a bill with Congressman Robert Duncan that aimed to protect the Bull Run Watershed east of Portland, a significant source of water for the city. Additionally, the bill aimed to clear up legal issues due to a "severe court interpretation of the 1909 Bull Run Watershed Act." AuCoin gave the speech on May 6, 1977. This is one of a collection of digitized objects from the Les AuCoin Papers (MS.147) at the Pacific University Archives. AuCoin served in the Oregon House of Representatives (1971-1975) and in the United States House of Representatives from Oregon's 1st District (1975-1993).
A speech by U.S. Congressman Les AuCoin on the national energy crisis and his concerns with the Pacific Northwest's Bonneville Power Administration (B.P.A.). AuCoin gave this speech on April 13, 1977 to the Oregon House of Representatives, arguing that gas and oil reserves were running out, and that the conservation of fuel and eventual adoption of other energy alternatives were thus necessary. This is one of a collection of digitized objects from the Les AuCoin Papers (MS.147) at the Pacific University Archives. AuCoin served in the Oregon House of Representatives (1971-1975) and in the United States House of Representatives from Oregon's 1st District (1975-1993).
Position papers on the topic of environmental issues, prepared by Representative Les AuCoin's 1980 and 1984 campaigns. Each page includes a list of Representative AuCoin's relevant votes, quotations, and positions. This is one of a collection of digitized objects from the Les AuCoin Papers (MS.147) at the Pacific University Archives and can be found in Box 51, Folder 9.
A "dear colleague" letter from Representative Les AuCoin regarding the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act. A "dear colleague" letter is a piece of official correspondence written by a member of Congress and distributed in bulk to other congressional offices. In this particular letter, Representative AuCoin informs his colleagues in the House of Representatives that he will miss the debate on the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act, but encourages others to support the bill. The bill was eventually passed in November 1980. Based on this date, this letter was likely written in May 1980. This is one of a collection of digitized objects from the Les AuCoin Papers (MS.147) at the Pacific University Archives.
Letter from the Columbia River Gorge Commission to Representative Les AuCoin on November 30th, 2006, the twentieth anniversary of the National Scenic Area Act. The letter thanks Representative AuCoin for his contributions to the Columbia Gorge Scenic Area. This is one of a collection of digitized objects from the Les AuCoin Papers (MS.147) at the Pacific University Archives.
Letter to Representative Les AuCoin from Christopher Brown, Conservation Director at American Rivers. The letter thanks Representative AuCoin and his staff member Kevin Lynch for their work supporting the Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area Bill. This is one of a collection of digitized objects from the Les AuCoin Papers (MS.147) at the Pacific University Archives and can be found in Box 25, Folder 7.
Representative Les AuCoin stands with a map in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska. In typed notes about the image, AuCoin writes: "My visit to the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. I helped write the legislation that created the refuge. In the 1980s, the port of Portland let me know that if Regan's oil drilling proposal went through, Portland's shipyards might stand a good chance to do a lot of chip repair work. I was a champion of shipyards but dubious about this proposal. I felt I had an obligation to go to the refuge and see for myself what its environmental values were. I left convinced that oil drilling would be an outrageous abuse of this fragile ecosystem." This is one of a collection of digitized objects from the Les AuCoin Papers (MS.147) at the Pacific University Archives. The original photo remains with the AuCoin family.
Dr. Eldon Hout testifies at a meeting of the Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, part of the House Committee on Appropriations. In typed notes about the image, Representative Les AuCoin writes: "Dr. Eldon Hout, at the microphone, was one of my political science professors when I studied at Pacific. That's me across the table at the far end. At this time, Eldon was with the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration." A handwritten note on the back of the photo reads "Interior Subcommittee, Eldon Hout from Oregon D.L.C.D." The photo was probably taken in the 1980s. This is one of a collection of digitized objects from the Les AuCoin Papers (MS.147) at the Pacific University Archives. The original photo remains with the AuCoin family.
