FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 14, 1997 (

Contact: Dave Redmond
(202) 225-4050

WASHINGTON, D.C. - TAKING ADVANTAGE OF EXPANDING INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES AND THE WIDESPREAD GROWTH OF THE INTERNET, OREGON CONGRESSMAN BOB SMITH (R-MEDFORD) TODAY UNVEILED TWO NEW SITES ON THE WORLD WIDE WEB HIGHLIGHTING HIS WORK ON BEHALF OF OREGON AND AGRICULTURE.

Smith, who represents Oregon's Second Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives, also serves as Chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture, focusing the Committee's attention on reducing foreign trade barriers and increasing agricultural exports, crafting a sensible forest management policy, and other issues critical to the rural American West.

Today, Smith unveiled two new World Wide Web pages designed to make information available to constituents more quickly, reflecting his two roles as a representative for eastern, southern, and central Oregon, and as a champion for agriculture.

"I hate to date myself this way, but when I first came to Congress in 1982, computers were practically non-existent here. Over the years, they have become an indispensable tool to the body's work. The information available, both to Congress and to all the people we represent, has increased dramatically and has allowed people to communicate with Congress in faster and more varied ways," Smith said.

"I'm delighted to open these two World Wide Web pages and urge Oregonians and all those who have an interest in agriculture not only to use them, but to send me their suggestions for how I might improve them. I'm determined to make information technology work for Oregonians who have an interest in Congress' work," Smith said.

In his capacity as Agriculture Committee Chairman, Smith unveiled the Committee's expanded, upgraded world wide web site at www.house.gov/agriculture/, which includes the Committee's upcoming schedule, press releases, a list of Committee Members and links to some of them, the Committee's rules, publications, jurisdiction, and a staff directory.

In his role as U.S. Representative for Oregon's Second Congressional District, Smith created his home page at www.house.gov/bobsmith, which also includes press releases and a staff directory, but also includes information on the congressional district, constituent services such as tours, internships, and help resolving problems with federal agencies, and Smith's voting record. A "Did You Know" section will be frequently updated with little-known, but interesting facts about Congressman Smith, Oregon, and Washington, D.C.

Smith can be reached by e-mail at bob.smith@mail.house.gov