One citizen's views on redwood park expansion

STATEMENT OF DIANA E. RAZZETO* BEFORE THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON NATIONAL PARKS AND INSULAR AFFAIRS HONORABLE PHILLIP BURTON AT EUREKA, CALIFORNIA APRIL I3. I977

Mr. Burton and Committee Members:

My name is Diana Razzeto. l'm23, and have lived here in Humboldt County for the past 20 years. I attend- ed Los Angeles Pierce College and Cal Poly at San Luis Obispo for 3 years. And there is no place I'd rather live than Humboldt County. People are REAL here. They care about each other, and there aren't too many places like Humboldt. I expect to continue living in Humboldt and be a contributing member of the hard working community.

*We salute lll iss Razze to Jt.tr ircr setttitnents. She is obviously an outspukett a,rJ (.ytrcntels' sincerc youttg lady. She also knows wlterclJ shc speaks as her Jather is Jack Razzeto, Santou Dir'. produc'tir.ttt ntgr. tor Louisiana-Pat:ilic Corn. editor.

What's more important? A human being's life, or expansion of a species of tree that has already been saved?

The government seems to think trees are more important than individuals' lives. I was raised to think differently. I respect people and trees in that order. Just like the guy working in the woods falling trees. That man loves the redwoods more than any tourist. He respects the tall trees because the trees provide the food and shelter for his family.

The government shows its greediness more and more each year. Let me tell the government this: "You can't have the cake and eat it too." We the people of Humboldt County are hard, honest workers, and you can't find a community like ours anywhere, and we are damn proud to be from Humboldt County and we plan to stay here.

Trees are renewable, that has al ready been proven. lt has also been proven that the tall trees have been saved. But, it has not been proven that we will have jobs in the near future.

The government promised us jobs and rehabilitation programs when the first park went thru in 1968. It promised us tourism in the newly acquired park. It also promised us federal aid. Not one promise has been fulfilled. That tells me one thing: Our government cannot be relied upon.

I'm really disappointed in the lack of interest by the subcommittee's attendance. It may not be important to the government, but our lives and futures depend on these hearings. In conclusion, I find the government officials not really interested in saving the trees but asing Humboldt and Del Norte Counties as political "stepping stones" to their access to power in government. We won't stand to be humiliated by some smooth moving, fast talking politicians. Find another "stepping stone"-cause we're going to fight this issue to the bitter end !