Dear Friend,

Welcome to “Kansas Common Sense.” Yesterday, Americans across the country celebrated Labor Day with family picnics and parades. Yet, for millions of Americans, Labor Day came at a difficult time this year because they are still looking for work. On Friday, the U.S. Labor Department reported no net jobs were added to our economy in August and our nation’s unemployment rate still remains high, at 9.1 percent.

This week, Congress will return to Washington, DC and will have the opportunity once again to change this pattern of unemployment. History demonstrates that the private sector is the true engine of job creation in our country, and Congress has the responsibility to create an environment where businesses can once again grow and hire workers. As I return to Washington this week, I will redouble my efforts to grow the economy and make certain that those Americans who are looking for work, can find work.

Participating in Labor Day Parades

Many communities across our state celebrate Labor Day each year with parades and festivities. I participated in two parades yesterday, including the 115th annual Labor Day Parade in Hoisington and the Burdick Labor Day Parade.

The Hoisington community’s Labor Day celebration has been a long-time tradition, attracting Kansans from across western and central Kansas. But this year’s events were particularly memorable for the residents of Hoisington, because they were part of a larger celebration of the progress that has been made since an F4 tornado destroyed much of the town 10 years ago on April 21, 2001. In the years since this disaster, the community has pulled together and overcome much hardship – so it is fitting that this year not only marks the 10^th anniversary since the tornado, but also Hoisington’s 125^th anniversary. During the parade, I appreciated the opportunity to visit with many friends and residents. Thanks to Brian Harrison for joining me, and to Stacey Bressley of the Hoisington Chamber of Commerce for the invitation.

I also joined the residents of Burdick, in Morris County, for their Labor Day parade later in the day. I enjoyed the chance to visit with local residents and to hear what is on their mind. Thanks to Linda Peterson in Burdick for her help in arranging my visit. A special thanks to the volunteers in both Hoisington and Burdick for their hard work in putting together such successful events. Click here to view photos of the parades.

Attending the Kansas Livestock Association/Kansas State University Field Day

On Monday, I visited with Kansas ranchers at the KLA/KSU Field Day at Lawrence Erbes’s farm near LaCrosse. This was the final Field Day in the 2011 series. The KLA/KSU Field Days provide an opportunity for ranchers and industry professionals to discuss the current state of the livestock industry as well as explore ideas for the future. As a national leader in beef production, Kansas must continue to grow and adapt this market sector to respond to global demand. I appreciate KLA President Ken Grecian and his fellow KLA members, KSU participants, and our host Erbes Farm for allowing me the opportunity to hear about their ideas for a robust future for Kansas beef production. Click here to view a photo from the event.

Joining Macksville Residents for 125^th Anniversary Parade

This weekend, I joined the residents of Macksville to celebrate the community’s 125^th anniversary. During the parade, I had the special privilege of recognizing three WWII veterans to thank and honor them for their service to our country: Oric Neelly, Fred L. Clark and L. Eugene Grizzell. We are blessed to live in a nation where individuals volunteer to defend our country and our way of life – no matter the cost. These three patriots served our country in some of its darkest days and we will forever be grateful for their dedication and service. Thanks to Kelly Benzel for organizing the details of my visit. Click here to view photos from the event.

Now Accepting 2012 Service Academy Applications

I am now accepting applications for nominations to the United States Service Academies. The academies include the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, New York; the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland; the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado; and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York. Those selected will enter the academies in June 2012.

If nominated, applicants must then meet the individual admission requirements of each academy. The academies will make the final decision on who receives an appointment of admission. Interested applicants should visit my website or contact my Olathe office for more information. Applications are due to my Olathe office by October 1, 2011. Applicants will be required to interview with my Service Academy Selection Board on Saturday, November 19th at the K-State Student Union in Manhattan.

Listening Tour Continues

This week I continued my Statewide Listening Tour with town hall meetings in Logan, Thomas, Barber, Harper, Kingman, Pratt and Stafford Counties. The folks I met with continue to ask what President Obama and Congress are going to do to grow the economy and put Americans back to work. I share their frustration and look forward to returning to Washington this week to tackle the challenges facing our nation.

I started the week with stops in northwest Kansas on Monday. In the morning I was in Oakley visiting with locals on Main Street, and had the opportunity to stop by several local businesses and groups including Western Plains Energy, the Buckhorn Family Restaurant, Oakley Implement, Pioneer Feed Yard, Oakley Graphic, Oakley Area Chamber, Oakley IGA, Oakley Health Mart, Farmers State Bank, American Family Insurance, Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas, and the USDA Service Center. In the afternoon I was in Colby at Citizens Medical Center. On Thursday, Friday and Saturday I spent time in central Kansas. My first stop was visiting with Medicine Lodge residents Thursday morning on Main Street. During my visit to Barber County I stopped by Medicine Lodge’s new grocery store, White’s Foodliner. Wow! What a great development for the community. Many of my colleagues don’t understand how challenging it is in rural America to have a grocery store in town. Thank you to County Commissioner Steve Garten for being so welcoming. I also visited Anthony in Harper County on Thursday morning and met with residents at the Municipal Hall in conjunction with the Anthony Lions Club and senior meal site.

On Friday morning I met with Kingman residents in the City Commission Room, and then headed to Pratt where I met with residents at the Municipal Building. Like many of the Kansans I spoke to this week, Kingman and Pratt residents had a lot on their minds including our national debt, job creation, the future of Social Security and Medicare, and military engagement in Iraq and Afghanistan. Thanks to Frank Soukup, Kingman City Administrator, for opening up city council chambers for my town hall meeting. My final stop last week was in Stafford County where I visited with residents in downtown Macksville. If you would like to view photos from this week’s stops click here.

In the Office

Several Kansans stopped by my office this week for a tour of the U.S. Capitol, including Bruce Priday; Venugopal Thummaty; Nirupama Chandupatla and Varsha Thummaty of Overland Park. Several visitors were also here from Wellington, including: Cheryl Holdaway; Susan Beeson and Janet Schuchman.

Contact Me

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

My email address is only equipped to send messages. I encourage you to send me a message through my website: https://www.moran.senate.gov

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