Hello,

 

Welcome to “Kansas Common Sense.” Thanks 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.

 

As we come together as a nation to recognize Veterans Day, we honor the incredible sacrifices men and women in uniform have made on behalf of our nation and for our freedom. America has been made exceptional by the enduring courage and bravery of our troops, who have waged war against our adversaries so that our country and world could remain more peaceful. We also are called today to rededicate ourselves to make certain that veterans are treated with the care and respect they deserve following their service to our nation, and I hope we all take time to reflect on the profound impact of our servicemembers, past and present. To all those who have served our country: thank you, we respect you and we love you. To watch a video message to our nation’s veterans, click here.

 

 

 

 

On Wednesday, I chaired a Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Hearing that considered two nominees for the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans’ Claims. This Court was established in 1988 to review decisions made by the Board of Veterans’ Appeals to make certain veterans receive the care and benefits they rightfully deserve. Just last year, the Court received 6,802 cases and decided 4,842 appeals. This caseload highlights the importance of the Court and the impact its decisions have on veterans across the country. The two nominees, Scott Laurer and Grant Jaquith, have accomplished legal and military careers and will serve veterans to the best of their ability once confirmed.

 

On Monday I joined members of the Pearce-Keller Post No. 17 of the American Legion and the Luckey Assembly Knights of Columbus in Manhattan to recognize Veterans Day. During the breakfast, it was an honor to speak to so many veterans from the across Manhattan whose dedicated service to our nation lives on through their service to the American Legion and a number of community organizations. Thank you to all those who organized the breakfast and for their continued work to honor and support our nation’s heroes.

 

 

Earlier this week, I was pleased to announce that a total of $16.5 million in BUILD grants from the U.S. Department of Transportation were awarded to entities in Kansas. This funding will go toward two vitally important infrastructure projects in Ellis County and Olathe, Kansas.

 

Through the BUILD Grant program, $6.5 million was provided to Ellis County for new resources to improve the Northwest Business Corridor. The resources provided in this grant will allow for increased economic development in the region and help existing businesses expand through improved infrastructure. The current roadway that is the Northwest Business Corridor was not designed for the volume or type of traffic driven by recent private-sector investment, and improvements along the corridor will help promote economic activity now and long into the future. Additionally, it will improve safety for travelers who take the corridor and increase access to businesses along the route. Click here to read more on this award.

 

The $10 million in funding was provided to the City of Olathe for the expansion and improvement of the I-35 and 119th Street interchange, otherwise known as the Interstate 35 and 119th Street Interchange Reconfiguration Project. One of the highest traffic volume intersections in the state, this area serves as the spine for KC’s Gateway District and the completion of these improvements will allow residents and travelers to safely and more effectively access jobs, businesses and amenities in the area. Click here to read more on this award.

 

Ahead of his arrival to campus, I visited with Dr. Jay Golden. On Monday, Dr. Golden was named the next President of Wichita State University by the Kansas Board of Regents. Dr. Golden’s background in developing partnerships between higher education and the private sector, as well as his experience growing universities, will serve Wichita State, Wichita State students and the entire region well. I look forward to work in partnership with Dr. Golden and to continue making progress on important issues facing the community.

 

 

I joined researchers from the University of Kansas Cancer Center for the Center’s 2019 Research Symposium, and had the opportunity to offer remarks in support of their work which carries significant life-saving potential. In my remarks I underscored the importance of the research conducted at the KU Cancer Center, and how their work fits into, and furthers, a larger collaborative effort to defeat cancer. My efforts to increase resources available for the National Institutes of Health through the Senate Appropriations Committee is driven in large part by the progress being made at the KU Cancer Center and similar academic research institutions across the country. During his remarks, Dr. Jensen presented me with the 2019 KU Cancer Center Director's Legislator of the Year award. Thanks, Dr. Jensen, for this special recognition and for our close partnership in our work to advance medical research in the region. Robba and I are grateful for your continued friendship.

 

I appreciate Dr. Roy Jensen, Director of the KU Cancer Center for inviting me to speak at the Symposium, and Dr. Christopher Austin, Director of NIH’s National Cancer Center for Advancing Translational Sciences for addressing the symposium. As Congress continues to attempt to work out disagreement over appropriations bills, I’ll continue to be a strong advocate for NIH to ensure that it, and its partners like the KU Cancer Center, receive the resources necessary to continue to make strides in cancer research in a timely manner.

 

 

On Wednesday, I met with Airmen from the 190th Air Refueling Wing, a Kansas Air National Guard unit based out of Topeka, Kansas. These “Outstanding Airmen” were chosen by their chain of command to travel to our nation’s capital to attend leadership development training and meet with national security and defense policy leaders.

 

These Kansas Airmen shared their work promoting mental health and suicide prevention within their units. We discussed the importance of providing a support system for our friends and colleagues who might be dealing with stress, anxiety, or depression. Suicide, especially by veterans and servicemembers, has become a national crisis so I was pleased to hear that the 190th AWR used a drill weekend to bring its Airmen together to support one another.

 

 

On Friday, I spent time at the FAA Air Route Traffic Control Center in Olathe. During my time here, I heard about the operations of the facility and the work that the controllers do to get over 6,000 flights safely across our region every day. During our meeting, we discussed the detrimental impacts of a government shutdown on both the center’s operations, and on their work to train air traffic controllers. I was pleased to hear their support for my legislation, the Aviation Funding Stability Act of 2019, which would prevent future shutdowns from damaging this vital industry. Thanks to National Air Traffic Controllers Association local leaders Todd Mariani, Nathan Burch and Jami Davis for their informative tour, and to FAA Air Traffic Manager Christina Calvert for her leadership of the facility.

 

 

Following my time at the FAA Air Route Traffic Control Center, I was in Lenexas to tour Collins Aerospace. Collins is engaged in designing, manufacturing and servicing a multitude of systems and components for commercial, business and military aircraft. The men and women of their Lenexa facility produce aircraft oxygen systems and in-air beverage products, serving as a critical link in the aviation supply chain. Thanks to the many employees for taking time of their day and for their productive conversation. Thank you also to Collins Aerospace General Manager JP Foulon and General Manager of Beverage Products Sabastian Ramus for their tour.

 

 

On Thursday evening, following my return from Washington, D.C., I was in Lenexa to attend the Chamber of Commerce’s ‘After Hours’ event that brings members together informally on a regular basis. During the event, I was pleased to visit with folks and discuss our work in the Senate, as well as recent developments happening in Lenexa and across Johnson County.

 

 

 

SrA Erika Essman of Topeka

SrA Matthew Ferguson of Eudora

TSgt Tyler Wilson of Topeka

 

Mohammad-Ali Jazayeri of Kansas City

Steven Owens of Wichita

 

Sam Caughorn of Kansas City

 

Amy Billquist of Shawnee

Michael Billquist of Shawnee

Greg Dietz of Wichita

Helen Kovac of Junction City

John Kovac of Junction City

 

Sophie Billings of Topeka

Randy Crone of Topeka

Katie Dehn of Topeka

Emma Dowd of Topeka

Lillian Fletchall of Topeka

Jace Reed of Topeka

Rachel Wilson of Topeka

 

Carol Webb of Overland Park

 

Edward Cross of Silver Lake

 

Simon Atkinson of Lawrence

Jack Cline of Lawrence

Tim Austin of Wichita

Honored to Serve You in Washington
It is an honor to serve you in Washington, D.C. Thank you to the many Kansans who have been calling and writing in to share their thoughts and opinions on the issues our state and country face. I appreciate the words of Kansans, whether in the form of a letter, a Facebook comment, or a phone call, who wish to make their voice heard.

Please let me know how I can be of assistance. You can contact me by email by clicking 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