Friday, July 24
– Senate bill includes proposal to add National D-Day Memorial to Park Service
Thursday, July 23
– Perriello backs Pay-As-You-Go bill
Wednesday, July 22
– Webb to chair hearing of Foreign Relations Committee Thursday
Tuesday, July 21
– Perriello introduces rural-ed advisory initiative
Monday, July 20
– Warner urges confirmation of Sotomayor
– Goodlatte to host energy conference
Friday, July 24
Senate bill includes proposal to add National D-Day Memorial to Park Service
U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Jim Webb announced that the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 approved by the Senate on an 87-7 vote Thursday includes language that directs the U.S. Department of the Interior to study the feasibility of adding the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford to the list of monuments and historic sites owned and operated by the U.S. National Park Service. The provision was introduced by Senator Warner and co-sponsored by Senator Webb. The two Virginia senators had introduced similar, stand-alone legislation June 8.
The nonprofit National D-Day Memorial Foundation recently announced that it does not have enough money to sustain operations through the end of the year. Congress designated Bedford as the site of the nation’s National D-Day Memorial in 1996 in recognition of the 19 Virginia Army National Guard members from Bedford who died in the first wave that landed on Omaha Beach June 6, 1944. With a 1944 population of 3,200 people, Bedford is believed to have suffered the highest per-capita loss of life of any American community on D-Day.
“I am grateful to the Senate leadership for allowing us to add this amendment to the defense bill and for recognizing that Park Service stewardship of the D-Day Memorial could ensure that Bedford’s sacrifice continues to occupy a permanent and prominent place in the story of America,” Sen. Warner said. “I believe it is appropriate that our efforts to preserve the Bedford D-Day Memorial are part of significant bipartisan legislation that also ensures that today’s military men and women — and their families — get the additional support that they need and deserve.”
“As one who grew up in the military, was privileged to serve, and who remains proud of the service of my son and my son-in-law, I share the commitment of stewardship felt by so many in Bedford for the sacrifices made on D-Day,” said Sen. Webb. “I am pleased that a study will now be conducted to put the National D-Day Memorial—an important part of both Virginia and our nation’s cultural history—on track to be a part of the U.S. National Park System.”
The defense spending bill, which authorizes $130 billion for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan during the fiscal year that that begins October 1, also provides financial and logistical support to thousands of military families throughout Virginia. It includes a much deserved pay raise, upgrades to equipment and weapons, and improvements to health care when veterans return home.
The D-Day Memorial was dedicated June 6, 2001, by President George W. Bush. Since then, the Memorial has attracted more than one-million visitors – 50 percent of whom visit from out of state – and more than 10,000 students participate in the Memorial’s educational programs each year.
Thursday, July 23
Perriello backs Pay-As-You-Go bill
Congressman Tom Perriello voted on Wednesday in favor of the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2009 (H.R. 2920, also known as PAYGO). PAYGO requires all legislation to be budget-neutral, and to offset new spending by reducing expenses in other areas. Perriello was an original co-sponsor of the PAYGO legislation.
“PAYGO is common sense, because neither party has shown the ability to curb deficits without mandatory restraints,” said Perriello. “Working families have to balance their checkbook; why shouldn’t Congress? PAYGO necessarily forces all of us in Congress to make tough, sometimes unpopular choices, but I believe these efforts are necessary to return to an era of responsible government spending.”
Perriello also supported a Republican version of PAYGO with stronger spending restrictions.
“This was a great chance to really get our budget under control, and I was glad to stand up and vote for the kind of smart fiscal policy that folks in the Fifth District expect,” said Perriello. “Smart spending isn’t a Republican issue or a Democratic issue, it’s an American issue. Both of these bills include good ideas but also loopholes, so frankly I wish we could have combined ideas from both sides of the aisle to produce a better, bi-partisan solution.”
The PAYGO plan passed on Wednesday requires all new policies that either reduce revenues or expand spending to be offset over five and ten years. Exceptions can be made for emergencies. Certain programs such as Medicare physician payments are also exempt from PAYGO.
PAYGO restrictions were in place during the 1990s, but were allowed to expire by Congress in 2002. Under PAYGO provisions, the federal budget was in surplus for the first time in 30 years by the end of the 1990s, with a budget surplus of $236 billion in 2000. After PAYGO rules were allowed to lapse, that surplus became a $413 billion deficit by 2004.
Wednesday, July 22
Webb to chair hearing of Foreign Relations Committee Thursday
Sen. Jim Webb (D-VA) will chair a hearing Thursday of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to consider six nominees for Ambassadorships to Asia and the Pacific Islands. In the weeks following the hearing, the Committee will vote and advance successful nominees to the full Senate for a final confirmation vote.
Sen. Webb has met privately with a number of the nominees in advance of Thursday’s hearing.
Webb serves as Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on East Asia and Pacific Affairs. Last week, Webb held a Subcommittee hearing, “Maritime Disputes and Sovereignty Issues in East Asia,” which comprehensively reviewed the historical background and current challenges of the disputed territories in the region, including the Senkaku Islands, the Spratly Islands, and Paracel Islands.
HEARING DETAILS
WHAT: Senator Webb to chair Foreign Relations Committee hearing to consider nominees for Ambassadorships to Asia and the Pacific Islands
WHEN: Thursday, July 23, 2009 at 9:30am
WHERE: 419 Dirksen Senate Office Building
The hearing will also be webcast live at: www.foreign.senate.gov
NOMINEES:
The Honorable Jon M. Huntsman Jr., of Utah to be Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China
John V. Roos, of California to be Ambassador to Japan
Jonathan S. Addleton, of Georgia to be Ambassador to Mongolia
Teddy Bernard Taylor, of Maryland to be Ambassador to Papua New Guinea, and to serve concurrently and without additional compensation as Ambassador to the Solomon Islands and Ambassador to the Republic of Vanuatu
Martha Larzelere Campbell, of Michigan to be Ambassador to the Republic of the Marshall Islands
Kenneth E. Gross, of Virginia to be Ambassador to the Republic of Tajikistan
Tuesday, July 21
Perriello introduces rural-ed advisory initiative
Congressman Tom Perriello has introduced H.R. 3180, the Strengthening Community Opportunities through Rural Education (SCORE) Act of 2009, which would establish a national advisory committee on rural education within the Department of Education.
“Our hard-hit rural areas deserve special attention when it comes to education. My hope is that this advisory committee will help the President, his Cabinet, and members of Congress better understand the needs of rural education so we can make sure our children get the skills and education they need to compete in a global economy,” said Perriello.
The advisory committee would study the unique challenges faced by rural public school systems in providing elementary and secondary education, including:
– Difficulty in attracting and retaining new teachers;
– Deficient or inadequate school facilities and infrastructure;
– Deficient or inadequate transportation infrastructure;
– Gaps in access to broadband and information technology;
– The “brain drain” of college-bound youth who never return to rural communities; and
– Limited and varied levels of funding.
Under the proposed legislation, the Secretary of Education and the Secretary of Agriculture, or their designees, would serve as advisory committee members, along with teachers, school administrators, and school board members from rural areas. The advisory committee would submit a report twice a year to the Congress and the President, and the committee would dissolve after two years.
Monday, July 20
Warner urges confirmation of Sotomayor
U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner delivered the following remarks in the U.S. Senate on the nomination of Judge Sonya Sotomayor to serve as a Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court:
“Mr. President, I rise to speak in support of the nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to serve on the Supreme Court of the United States. But first I would like to applaud Chairman Leahy and Ranking Member Sessions for conducting a successful confirmation hearing. The hearings lasted four days. Fifteen witnesses testified and thousands of people attended the hearing in person. Topics of discussion ranged from executive privilege to property rights. In the end, the reviews were that the hearing was constructive and fair.
At the same, millions of Americans all across the country tuned in to the confirmation hearings to find out who Justice Sotomayor is. As a U.S. Senator, I had the privilege of meeting with Judge Sotomayor in person and can say that the American people saw what I witnessed firsthand – an individual with extensive judicial experience, a clear understanding of the law and the judicial temperament to be an excellent Supreme Court justice.
A Historic Moment
Judge Sotomayor’s nomination is an historic moment for several reasons. With 17 years as a federal district and appellate court judge, Judge Sotomayor has more judicial experience than anyone confirmed for the court in the past 100 years.
She is also part of a small group of judges who have been nominated to the Federal judiciary by Presidents of different parties — President George H.W. Bush and President Bill Clinton. And with the addition of President Obama, she will become the first person nominated by three Presidents to serve on the federal judiciary.
Judge Sotomayor, as we all know, is also the first Hispanic American nominated to serve on the Supreme Court in its 220-year history. Her family immigrated to the United States from Puerto Rico. Her family didn’t have a lot of money, but her mother valued education and hard work. Judge Sotomayor would go on to Princeton and Yale Law School where she excelled academically.
Judge Sotomayor did not have the benefit of a family name or wealth but she had ambition. She proves that you can improve your life in a single generation. I am confident that many young men and women of all backgrounds are inspired by her example. Perhaps they will hit the books a little harder, practice their craft a little more and not give up on reaching their own individual dreams.
Her Judicial Philosophy
As Governor of Virginia and now a United States Senator, I have carried out the responsibility of selecting, vetting and nominating individuals to serve on the bench. It is an enormous responsibility because the decisions that judges make affect people’s lives.
Much has been said about Judge Sotomayor’s judicial philosophy. In testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee, she made clear to me that she fully understands the role of a judge. In her own words, her judicial philosophy is simple: “fidelity to the law” and a “rigorous commitment to interpreting the Constitution according to its terms.” Independent institutions can attest to this. The American Bar Association unanimously found Judge Sotomayor to be “highly qualified” – its highest rating. A number of non-partisan groups have found her constitutional decisions to be “solidly in the mainstream.”
Judge Sotomayor’s commitment to public service, extensive judicial experience, and fidelity to the law make her an excellent candidate to serve on the Supreme Court of the United States.
I look forward to casting my vote in support of Judge Sotomayor and encourage my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to do the same.
Mr. President, I yield the floor.
Goodlatte to host energy conference
Sixth District Congressman Bob Goodlatte will host an energy conference which will focus on ways to lessen our dangerous dependence on foreign energy. Guest speakers will cover topics such as the importance of expanded use of home-grown and home-produced energy, including fully utilizing nuclear power and renewable energy technologies.
Following the speakers, conference attendees will have the opportunity to visit booths, gather information and ask questions of representatives from a number of different local organizations, universities and government agencies who are working to develop alternative and renewable energy.
WHEN: Monday, July 27 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Booths open at 9:30
WHERE: Central Virginia Community College
Merritt Hall, Community Room
3506 Wards Road
Lynchburg
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