My colorful return to our nation's capital
Guest Commentary:
Colorful cowboy boots handcrafted by Eureka’s Artie Biegler drew many compliments as I stomped the halls of Congress and government buildings in Washington, D.C., recently. The starring moment came during a photo session at the Montana coffee hour when Senators Jon Tester and Steve Daines along with Congressman Ryan Zinke mingled with visitors from the Treasure State.
As we began lining up for my posed photo, I offered to show them the bright green shamrocks decorating my boots. All of a sudden former Navy Seal Team 6 Commander Zinke grabs my knee to hoist my foot up for the camera. I felt myself tipping over backwards when Sen. Daines caught me, and everyone had a good chuckle.
I was in D.C. for the Legislator’s Energy Horizon Institute and made a capitol visit with the executive board of PNWER, Pacific NorthWest Economic Region, which is described as the “gold standard group for international relations” with Canada. I am vice president of PNWER, which includes representation from Montana, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, Alaska, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Yukon and Northwest Territories.
I took a couple extra days to focus on issues of particular local interest, and I am happy to report that efforts to bring Montana news and programming to the Tobacco Valley are gaining ground. In a face to face meeting at Federal Communications Commission headquarters, I was told that the paperwork has been properly filed, the comment period ended with no opposition and final review is proceeding. Indications are that by spring, and probably sooner, local television programming for NBC, ABC and CBS will be originating from stations in Missoula and Kalispell, not Spokane, Wash. Hats off to Randy Wilson and the folks at Interbel for leading this charge. I only wish my constituent Chuck Newman could be here when it happens.
At a later time, I will report details on other issues ranging from autism to forest management to aquatic invasive species to Columbia River Treaty, Libby Dam and Lake Koocanusa.
This was my first visit to our Capitol since the winter of 1973-74 when I was press secretary for Congressman Richard Shoup. In those days I met soon to be President Gerald Ford while he was House minority leader. I later took photos of him at the Libby Dam dedication. This visit I briefly greeted Congressman Paul Ryan the morning he was being asked to take over as Speaker of the House, although the news hadn’t broken yet when I saw him. He was obviously deep in thought.
What a nostalgic journey it was for me, and what an exciting opportunity to promote issues of local importance. I covered a lot of ground, pounded the pavement and stairways hard and was ever appreciative of the comfortable fit of my custom made Big Sky Boots. Back in our high school years, who would have imagined that Eureka rodeo bronc rider Artie Biegler would keep my feet comfortable in the halls of Congress.
Rep. Mike Cuffe is a member of the Montana House of Representatives who represents House Distrct 2, north Lincoln County.