RADANOVICH'S ROLE

John Walters, President Bush's "drug czar," personally brought the
fight against the cultivation of marijuana on public lands to the
Valley recently. Mr. Walters' participation in marijuana-eradication
operations in the Sierra National Forest was a significant public
statement that federal, state and local authorities are cooperating at
unprecedented levels to fight the Mexican drug cartels that are
poisoning our public lands.

While Mr. Walters and our law enforcement officials deserve our thanks
for their efforts, it also is important to recognize the efforts of
Rep. George Radanovich in keeping attention focused on this important
issue.

Rep. Radanovich has long known that illegal marijuana cultivation is a
danger to visitors and employees on our public lands and also
residents of surrounding communities. He has been a leader in the
fight against marijuana production on public lands. Thanks to his
efforts, the House Subcommittee on National Parks conducted an
oversight hearing on the National Park Service's efforts to combat the
growth of illegal drugs in national parks.

He also worked in a bipartisan fashion with Sen. Dianne Feinstein to
encourage the U.S. Forest Service to devote appropriate resources to
address this problem.

Everett Norcross

Fresno