PETER WELCH 1011)4 ~WOI!T.. Hous.r 0"",.1 Bu .. ",;,n.

AH...."Gl. VI~_t W..s"'OfGtON. DC 20615-4!JOI

202-2~I1S

COMMlmEON
ENERGV AND COMMERCE
<lrongtus of t~t ltlntttb Statts 30 M~'~ S'nIHT
311<1 F..ooo<, SWTl: 350
Bunu .. mll'i, VT 05401
(8021652-24;,0
COMM!TTEE ON ]foust af lRtprtstntaliufS (888111O!.-7210
OvERSIGHT AND GOvERt.MENl
REFORM
JliasQillgion.lOOl20515-45Ul
COMM!TTEE ON
STANDARDS OF OFFICfAl
CONDUCT

April 3, 2009

The Honorable David R. Obey, Chairman

The Honorable Jerry Lewis, Ranking Member
Committee on Appropriations
H-218, The Capitol
Washington, D.C. 20515

Dear Chairman Obey and Ranking Member Lewis:

I am requesting funding for the Northern Forest Explorers Program in the fisca l year
2010 Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations bi ll. The entity to receive funding for
this project is the Northern Forest Canoe Trail (NFCT), located at P.O. Box 565,
Waitsfield, VT 05673. The funding would be used to support an innovative, replicab le
youth outdoors program model which will serve rural 10-14 year olds. Few programs
exist to serve the rural young people who also often lack access to the natural world
outside their classroom windows. NFCT's Northern Forest Explorers Program engages
rural youth in week-long outdoor experiences that support healthy choices, cultivate
leadership and teamwork skills, and foster meaningful connections with the natural
world. I certify neither my wife Margaret Cheney nor I have financial interest in this
project.

If you have any questions, please contact Mary Sprayregen of my staff at 202-226-8244.

Peter Welch
Member of Congress