WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) this week received the 2012 Congressional Cancer Champion Award from One Voice Against Cancer (OVAC), to recognize his leadership in the fight against cancer and strong support for cancer research.

“Given the vast amount of progress made over the last century and the great potential current cancer research holds, now is not the time to waiver on America’s commitment to advancing further treatments and hopefully one day, a cure,” Sen. Moran said. “Our consistent, sustained support of medical research is essential to saving and improving lives, growing our economy, and maintaining America’s role as a global leader in medical innovation. This commitment will benefit our children and our country for generations to come – offering hope to millions of patients.”

“Senator Moran has been a real champion of cancer research sponsored by the National Institutes of Health,” said Dick Woodruff, Chairman of One Voice Against Cancer. “He understands the importance of American leadership in medical research and how federal funds lead to breakthroughs in Kansas labs and research facilities in every state. On behalf of One Voice Against Cancer, I thank Senator Moran for his leadership in the fight against cancer.”  

The Congressional Cancer Champion Award is an honor bestowed by OVAC on federal lawmakers who undertake extraordinary efforts to enact legislation that advances the nation’s fight against cancer. One Voice Against Cancer (OVAC) is a coalition of health care stakeholder groups representing millions of cancer researchers, patients, survivors and their families throughout the nation.

Attached is a photo of Sen. Moran being presented the 2012 Congressional Cancer Champion Award by Kansas volunteers from OVAC’s member organizations, including Peggy Johnson of Wichita, Pam Howe of Kansas City, Michelle Derusseau of Lawrence, Mike Harper of Olathe, and Leesa Gabel of Olathe.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Jerry Moran’s (R-Kan.) legislative effort to provide financial relief to homeowners in Kansas and across the country passed the Senate as an amendment to S.1940, the five year reauthorization of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which was passed as part of H.R. 4348, the Highway Bill Conference Report. Sen. Moran’s amendment will allow homeowners living behind a levee to pay the lowest possible rate for their flood insurance while that levee is in the final stages of improvement. The inclusion of the Moran Amendment in S.1940 provided a solution to one of the key points of contention; the lack of a compromise on what to do with levees undergoing reconstruction. This question had been a major road-block to reauthorization, delaying this bill for many years.

"I’m pleased the Senate was able to move past the obstacles and pass this important legislation to improve the National Flood Insurance Program,” Sen. Moran said. “With fewer federal dollars available, levee upkeep has become very much a local effort, and communities are digging deep to find the resources necessary to rehabilitate their aging flood protection systems. My amendment recognizes those communities who are making significant progress toward improving their levees and lowers the insurance rates for citizens living within that flood plain."

The Moran Amendment provides meaningful financial relief while ensuring that needed levee improvements are made to protect life and property. While many factors affect the calculation of flood insurance premiums, the passage of Sen. Moran’s amendment could save residents of eligible communities hundreds of dollars per year. The insurance premiums for property owners behind levees undergoing improvement would reflect the insurance premiums available when the levee improvement was complete and fully certified.

The language was originally adopted by the Senate Banking Committee as an amendment to S.1940 in September 2011.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Wichita Metro Chamber of Commerce today announced its endorsement of Startup Act 2.0, bipartisan legislation authored by U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) that picks up where the JOBS Act left off by doing more to jumpstart the economy through the creation and growth of new businesses. The companion bill to Startup Act 2.0 was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Kevin Yoder (R-Kan.).

“The Wichita Chamber of Commerce is proud to endorse Startup Act 2.0, Sen. Jerry Moran’s bipartisan plan to strengthen the economy and create jobs for Americans,” said Walt Berry, Chairman of the Wichita Metro Chamber of Commerce. “We recognize that entrepreneurs are a significant economic driver in our community, and Startup Act 2.0 would provide Wichita’s entrepreneurs with the tools they need to pursue their ideas, acquire capital, access talent, and grow their companies. We hope Congress will act quickly to pass this important jobs bill."

Startup Act 2.0 will create jobs for Americans by unleashing the power of entrepreneurs. Research shows that for close to three decades, companies less than five years old have created almost all of the net new jobs in America – averaging about 3 million jobs each year. Additionally, more than a quarter of technology and engineering companies started in the United States from 1995 to 2005 had at least one key founder who was foreign-born. These companies produced $52 billion in sales and employed 450,000 workers in 2005.

Startup Act 2.0 would make changes to the tax code to encourage investment in startup companies. The bill would also alleviate regulatory burdens that make it more difficult for businesses to expand and create jobs. Finally, Startup Act 2.0 creates new opportunities for American-educated and entrepreneurial legal immigrants to remain in the United States where their talent and ideas can fuel economic growth and create jobs for Americans.

Many of the principles included in Startup Act 2.0 are based on research and analysis published by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. Startup Act 2.0 has also been endorsed by Google, CEA, TechAmerica, Financial Services Forum, the National Small Business Association, CONNECT, CTIA, Computer and Communications Industry Association, ITI, Engine Advocacy, Compete America, Angel Capital Association, CompTIA, Northern Virginia Technology Council, Silicon Valley Leadership Group, TechNet, the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, and the Austin Chamber of Commerce.

Click here to learn more about Startup Act 2.0 and its provisions.

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