Dear Friend,

Welcome to “Kansas Common Sense.” Thank you for your continued interest in receiving my weekly newsletter. Please feel free to forward it on to your family and friends if it would interest them.

I’d like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas. This holiday season is a good time to reflect on the true gifts in life – our family, faith and freedoms. We are fortunate to live in a strong and free country, but that
freedom comes with a price.

Many of our nation’s men and women are far away from their families this holiday, risking their lives to protect our own. To our troops serving overseas: thank you for your service and for defending our country. I also want to thank the families of our troops for their sacrifice. You and your loved ones are in our
thoughts and prayers.

During this busy holiday season, I hope all Kansans will take a moment to reflect on the many blessings we have as Americans. From the Moran family to your family: I send you our warmest greetings and wish you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Legislative Update

Last week, the Senate considered a supplemental recovery package for the communities affected by Hurricane Sandy. This bill would provide $60.4 billion in discretionary funding to areas of need as well as mitigation efforts to help prevent future storm damage.

"Fiscal cliff" negotiations stalled last week between President Obama and Speaker Boehner, but are expected to resume this week. The Senate will resume session on Thursday until the end of the year to consider "fiscal cliff" legislation and work toward a solution to avert the looming crisis and tax hikes.

Honoring Two Fallen Topeka Police Officers

On Sunday, December 16, grief struck the capital of Kansas. Corporal David Gogian and Officer Jeff Atherly were fatally shot Sunday evening in Topeka while on duty. When we lose someone in a community in Kansas, it is not just a name to us. It is somebody we see at our kids’ activities at school, somebody we go to church with, somebody we know and care for. I reflected on their deaths this week on the Senate Floor.

David had been part of the Topeka Police Department for 21 years – yet his service did not begin there. He had previously served his country in the Kansas National Guard and had just recently retired. Police Chief Ronald Miller remembered David as someone who had “spent his life in service to his country and in the city of Topeka.” David’s service to his community was clearly a model for others, including his son, Brandon, who followed in his dad’s footsteps and serves the Topeka community as a police officer today.

The second officer, Jeff, was just 29 years old and had joined the Police Department last year. Chief Miller said Jeff was “just getting started” in his career and had his entire life ahead of him.

Jeff grew up in the small community of Carbondale – just south of Topeka, and graduated from Washburn University in 2009 with a degree in law enforcement. Jeff was known by his friends for “his smile, his great sense of humor, and his kind heart.” He left behind a 3 year old son, Logan. 

These two men honorably served their community by faithfully carrying out their duties. Rather than shirk from danger, police officers pledge to face danger with courage, and that is exactly what these two men did. We remember and express our gratitude to David and Jeff for their service to the Topeka community and to our country. I ask all Kansans to join me in remembering David and Jeff’s families in their thoughts and prayers this Christmas week. May God comfort them in their time of grief and be a source of strength for them. May He also protect all those who continue to serve us today. Click here to watch my full remarks on the Senate Floor honoring these two heroes.

Airbus Further Donates Commitment to Wichita

This week, Airbus further demonstrated its commitment to the Wichita aerospace community and Kansas by donating $800,000 worth of aircraft structural parts and kits to Wichita State University’s National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR). This generous donation will provide students at NIAR with an invaluable opportunity to conduct aviation research and hands-on training. The significant partnership between WSU and Airbus builds upon Wichita’s rich aviation heritage and fosters an environment for continued excellence and leadership within the industry.

Congressman Tim Scott Appointed to U.S. Senate

This week, South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley announced her decision to appoint Representative Tim Scott (SC-1) to fill the open Senate seat created by Sen. Jim DeMint’s departure. Rep. Scott’s appointment comes at a time when Washington has an opportunity to address the serious challenges our country faces. Tim’s experience as a small businessman in the financial sector will be valuable as we work to find solutions that put America on the right track. I look forward to working with him in 2013.

Mourning the Passing of Sen. Daniel Inouye

U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) today released the following statement on the passing of U.S. Senator Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii). With Sen. Inouye’s passing, our country lost an American hero, the U.S. Senate lost an irreplaceable colleague, and the people of Hawaii lost a tireless advocate. From the battlefields of World War II  to his 50 years of service in the U.S. Senate, Sen. Inouye was a Medal of Honor recipient, iconic political figure and remarkable American. I had the honor of working with Sen. Inouye on the Senate Appropriations Committee. He epitomized the Golden Rule: love thy neighbor as thyself, and reflected it during his entire career in the Senate. Robba and I send our heartfelt prayers to his wife Irene, family and friends during this trying time.

Celebrating the Life of Rex Curtis

This week, I was saddened to learn the passing of Rex Curtis. On Saturday, I joined friends and family in celebrating Rex’s life at his funeral service at the First United Methodist Church in Hays. Rex was a special person and I have been honored to call him and his entire family my friends for many years. He was a devoted husband to his wife Marge, who passed away in June, and a loving father to their two sons, Dr. Jeff Curtis of Hays and Dr. John Curtis of Manhattan. Following his service in the Navy during World War II, he returned to Hays where he served God, his community and others through many local organizations including Boy Scouts, Hays Lions Club, First United Methodist Church of Hays and Fort Hays State University Alumni Association. Rex will be greatly missed. Robba and I extend our deepest sympathies and prayers to Rex’s family and friends during this difficult time.

Honored to Serve You in Washington

It is an honor to serve you in Washington, D.C. Please let me know how I can be of assistance. To send me an email, click here. You can also click here to contact me through one of my Kansas offices or my Washington, D.C., office.

Very truly yours,     

Jerry