The Newsletter of the Idaho Humanities Council | Summer 2018 An Interview with Governor Cecil Andrus by Rick Johnson, Idaho Conservation League introduction Cecil Andrus was elected It was part of the support of my family. Governor of Idaho in 1970 and 1974. Fol- I’d hunt whitetail and elk and I had an ap- lowing the election of President Jimmy Cart- preciation for wilderness but I understood er in 1976, Andrus became his Secretary of there had to be a balance. There were places The Interior. Returning to Idaho in 1981, where we would have to harvest timber. Andrus was again elected governor in 1986 and in 1990, Idaho’s only four-term gover- I’m a lumberjack and a political accident. I nor. Andrus’s Idaho conservation legacy is ended up running for the state legislature. now featured in displays in the Boise city As state senator I was still working as a park bearing his name across from the Idaho lumberjack in north Idaho. Statehouse. His impact on the national stage, I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to among other places, is prominent on any live where I chose. I spent four years in map of Alaska where he was a leading figure Washington, DC. I was in the cabinet, the in one of the nation’s greatest land protection Secretary of the Interior for President Cart- measures. er. Passionate about the outdoor pursuits Idaho They erew doing exit interviews in the so uniquely provides, particularly hunting [Washington] Post as they always do and and fishing, public service was also a con- they said, “Mr. Secretary, are you going to stant throughout Andrus’s life. This included join a lobbying firm here and be an influ- conservation advocacy and leadership of the Governor Cecil Andrus (left) and Rick Johnson pose in ence peddler?” I said “I don’t know what I’m front of a photo of Castle Peak. Andrus Center for Public Policy at Boise going to do or where I’m exactly going to do State University well into his eighties, right it,” and if I’d stopped there I’d have been all In August 2015, after a 15-year journey as up to his passing in 2017. right. But I added another sentence: “The rugged as any mountain trail, Rep. Mike main reason so many of you people are The following interview with Cecil Andrus Simpson’s Boulder-White Clouds wilder- back here is you don’t know any better.” was published by the Idaho Humanities ness bill passed Congress. After we left Council in Idaho Wilderness Considered, President Obama’s bill signing in the Oval If we all liked the same thing we’d all be in an anthology of essays, photos, and other Office of the White House, the first phone one place. Who was the philosopher who reflections on the history and meaning of call I made was to Cece Andrus: “We finally said, talking about the land, “they just ain’t wilderness in Idaho, and was named “Idaho got it done, Governor.” In March 2018 the making more of it anymore?” You’ve got to Book of the Year” by the Idaho Library As- US Congress renamed White Clouds Wil- protect these areas. sociation. derness the Cecil Andrus White Clouds y conversation with Andrus was held Wilderness. So, conservation work had to start Min the Idaho Conservation League of- somewhere. fice in Boise over two long and engaging You’re part of a national story, but I got involved as a state senator. First thing, sessions in August and December of 2014, you’ve always been about Idaho first. I was co-author of a surface mining act to as final momentum was building for protec- I have always enjoyed the outdoors. I hunt. protect areas being mined. Temporary use tion of the Boulder-White Clouds. Andrus I fish at every opportunity. I know how to of the land, stockpile land for reclamation. was first elected governor, in great part, be- handle firearms and fly rods and that was No high walls allowed. Bring it back to pro- cause of his opposition to a proposed mine my recreation. I know if you want a good ductivity after the minerals are taken out. in the White Cloud Mountains, and An- stream you can’t run a skid trail down the In 1970, Ernie Day took some pictures drus remained a steady voice for protection middle of it. of what was called Railroad Ridge in the of this and other Idaho gems. continued on page 4 1 From the Chair, Jenny Emery Davidson ABC News Chief Global Affairs Correspondent Martha Raddatz to speak in Idaho Humanities is published two to three times a year by the When I was in third grade, I got glasses. I remember the first morning that I walked to the Coeur d’Alene, Thursday, October 11 datz was on a U.S. destroyer as it made its way through the Strait of Idaho Humanities Council bus stop wearing them; I was stunned by the individual leaves on the trees, the thousands of ABC News Chief Global Hormuz. Raddatz reported exclusively from the USS George H.W. 217 W. State St. Boise, ID 83702 gravelly rocks on the road. I slid my glasses up and down my nose over and over again to repeat (208) 345-5346 the wondrous effect of the blurry world coming into rich relief. That morning I appreciated Affairs Correspondent Martha Bush covering the airstrikes against ISIS in Syria and Iraq in 2014, Toll Free: (888) 345-5346 fully what I too often take for granted now: The world is composed of an astonishing array of Raddatz will deliver the and again in March 2016 from the USS Truman. Fax: (208) 345-5347 beautiful, particular details. Idaho Humanities Council’s www. idahohumanities.org 15th Annual North Idaho In 2012 Raddatz received the First Amendment Award from the While I have served on the board of the Idaho Humanities Council Radio Television Digital News Foundation (RTDNF) for excel- over the past seven years, I have gained new lenses for seeing Distinguished Humanities Lecture on Thursday, October lence in journalism as well as the prestigious Fred Friendly First Idaho’s cultural landscape. From reviewing grant applications Amendment Award. She received five Emmy Awards, including an BOARD OF DIRECTORS and state-wide programs, I have gotten glimpses into thoughtful 11, 2018, 7 p.m., at the Coeur Emmy for being on the team covering the inauguration of Barack humanities work in towns from Bonners Ferry to Boise to Malad. Chair d’Alene Resort. Obama, the attacks of September 11th and the killing of Osama I’ve known the list of Idaho counties since 4th grade, but now Jenny Emery Davidson, Hailey Bin Laden. She was also the recipient of the 2007 International Ur- I see new details: a teacher in Riggins getting books to kids by The event is made possible in part by major support from Marc bino Press Award, the 2005 Daniel Pearl Award from the Chicago Vice Chair bicycle during the summer months; volunteers at the Oregon Trail and Vicki Brinkmeyer and the Idaho Forest Group. As the lead Murray Feldman, Boise Journalists Association, and a 1996 Overseas Press Club Award for Center in Montpelier introducing visitors to southwest Idaho with sponsor of the IHC’s annual Distinguished Humanities Lecture for engaging programs; energetic youth developing creative literary her live coverage of the assassination of Yitzhak Rabin. In 2007 the Tamara Ansotegui, Boise the past 15 years, Idaho Forest Group once again has stepped up events in Nampa. I see the wonderful particularity of individuals White House Correspondents’ Association awarded her the Mer- Amy Canfield, Lewiston to bring to Coeur d’Alene (and to many area high school students) enriching their communities. riman Smith Memorial Award for excellence in Presidential news Trent Clark, Soda Springs one of the most regarded journalists of our time. coverage under deadline pressure. Susan Gibson, Boise The details that compose the great state of Idaho are not only geographical; they are cultural, Carolyn González, Caldwell too. Humanities programs help us to see our history, our neighbors, ourselves, and our Tickets are available by calling the IHC at 888-345-5346. General Raddatz is the author of The Long Road Tim Hopkins, Idaho Falls possible futures more clearly. To bring fresh attention to this important humanities work, tickets are $65 and Benefactor tickets are $130. Benefactors are in- Home—a Story of War and Family, a Jan Johnson, Lewiston we are planning some new communications initiatives at the IHC – so stay tuned, and keep vited to a private pre-event reception with Raddatz at 5 p.m. The highly acclaimed book about a battle Margaret Johnson, Pocatello watching, as the IHC logo and website get updated over the coming months. Bill Manny, Boise evening will begin with a no-host reception and silent auction at 6 in Iraq that made both The New York Jo Ann Nelson, Coeur d’Alene For 45 years, the IHC has sponsored programs to spark curiosity and conversations around p.m. at the Resort. Dinner will be served at 7 p.m., with Raddatz’s Times and The Washington Post best- Rocky Owens, Coeur d’Alene the state. Let’s not overlook how much it matters to the vibrancy of our communities and our talk to follow. Raddatz’s book The Long Road Home: A Story of War seller lists. The Long Road Home was Andrea Partington, Coeur d’Alene shared landscape. and Family will be available from the Well-Read Moose onsite for made into a TV series which aired Scott Slovic, Moscow signing afterwards.