Appreciation for McDermott’s commitment to trade issues
“McDermott’s costly Bali trip sets record, but not on public’s dime” [page one, Dec. 1] mentioned Washington apples, although its focus was on the trip’s expense.

While I am not familiar with the travel arrangements, I can say I am very thankful for Rep. Jim McDermott’s efforts to eliminate troublesome barriers now being erected by Indonesia against fruit and vegetable imports. His traveling halfway around the world to personally deliver a message of concern about this trade issue directly to Indonesian officials is appreciated by growers and shippers who depend on the world export market — including Indonesia — for the successful sale of each year’s apple crop.

As the ranking member of the Trade Subcommittee of the House Ways and Means Committee, McDermott is responsible for trade issues of importance to our entire nation’s economy, including those affecting our apples shipped from Wenatchee and Yakima through Puget Sound ports to Indonesia. We appreciate his help and thank him for his journey.

—Christian Schlect, president of Northwest Horticultural Council, Yakima