Kansas Common Sense

January 13, 2011

This Week in Congress
By U.S. Senator Jerry Moran
January 13, 2011

Dear Friend,

Welcome to "This Week in Congress."

Representing All Kansans in the U.S. Senate

     I am humbled to have the opportunity to work on behalf of all Kansans in the Senate. On Wednesday, I was honored to place my left hand on my childhood Bible given to me by my mother, raise my right hand, and take the oath of office to support and defend our Constitution. I'd especially like to thank Sen. Pat Roberts, Governor Sam Brownback and former Senator Elizabeth Dole for joining me for the swearing in ceremony in the Senate Chamber. Senator Bob Dole was unable to escort me as originally planned, so Mrs. Dole joined us on his behalf.

    Our country is facing challenges, and one of the greatest is the national debt caused by decades of overspending and government growth. This out-of-control spending and borrowing jeopardizes the prosperity of future generations who will have to pay off our debt. In Kansas, we lead a special way of life that is worth fighting to preserve for the next generation. That fight has been my focus and will continue to be in the U.S. Senate. Click here to watch a video of the ceremony.

 Meeting with Pawnee County Residents 

    Before returning to Washington, I traveled to Burdett last Monday to host a town hall with residents of Pawnee County. Our discussion focused on reforming the tax code, the impact of the new health care law on rural health care, and concern about government spending and our national debt. Thanks to Karen Schadel for organizing the details of the visit. Here is a photo of our visit.

Taking Your Concerns Back to Washington

    Before the Senate reconvenes and I return to Washington, D.C., I will be driving more than 600 miles across our state to visit with Kansans at town hall meetings, local businesses, universities and community civic clubs. The conversations I have with Kansans during my travels greatly impact the work I do in Washington. Included below is a sampling of the stops I'll be making over the next two weeks.

    On Wednesday, I spoke at the Kansas Soybean Expo luncheon and then checked out the booths and exhibits at the annual Topeka Farm Show. From there, I headed over to Caterpillar Work Tools in Wamego to tour their facility and visit with workers. I then visited Godfrey's Indoor Shooting and Archery Ranges in Junction City, which ranks in the top 5 percent of shooting ranges in the nation. I ended my day at Ft. Riley at the welcome home ceremony for Major General Vincent Brooks and the First Infantry Division, who have been deployed to Iraq for 12 months.

    Today, I plan to visit the Kansas State University campus in Salina and tour Park Aircraft Technologies Corporation in Newton. I'll also see planes being built at Hawker Beechcraft Corporation and visit the National Center for Aviation Training, which plays a vital role in meeting the aviation manufacturing workforce demand. I also look forward to chatting with students in a government class at Kapaun Mt. Carmel Catholic High School in Wichita.

    On Friday, January 14th, I'll be holding a town hall meeting at the Wellington Public library in Sumner County and will be the keynote speaker at the weekly Derby Rotary Club meeting. This weekend, I'll be cheering on the Kansas State Wildcats basketball team as they take on the Texas Tech Red Raiders.

    Next week, I will join many Kansans in Topeka on Monday, January 17th to honor Martin Luther King Jr. The following day I'll be hosting three town hall meetings in Oskaloosa, Atchison and Lansing, and I'll be visiting with state legislators at an event hosted by the Kansas Livestock Association in Topeka. On Wednesday, January 19th , I'll travel to Olathe to visit with members of the Olathe Rotary Club and on Saturday, January 22nd , I'll cheer on the Jayhawks' basketball team as they challenge the Texas Longhorns. Finally, on January 24th I'll be speaking at the Kansas Electric Cooperatives Annual Meeting in Topeka.

    Below find information on four of my upcoming town hall meetings. If you're nearby, I encourage you to stop by to share your thoughts. Please stay tuned for additional stops in your area!

Friday, January 14, 2011

Sumner County Listening Tour stop
Location: Wellington Public Library, basement meeting room
Address: 121 West 7th Street, Wellington, KS
Time: 9:45-10:45 a.m.

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Jefferson County Listening Tour stop
Location: Jefferson County Courthouse, Commissioners' meeting room
Address: 300 Jefferson, Oskaloosa, KS
Time: 9:30-10:30 a.m.

Atchison County Listening Tour stop
Location: Atchison Area Chamber of Commerce/Santa Fe Depot
Address: 200 South Tenth Street, Atchison, KS
Time: 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Leavenworth County Listening Tour stop
Location: Lansing Community Center
Address: 800 First Terrace, Lansing, KS
Time: 1:30-2:30 p.m.

Commending Young Kansans on Earning Eagle Scout Badges

    I had the honor of delivering the Eagle Charge to seven new Eagle Scouts on Sunday at the Village Presbyterian Church in Prairie Village. In order to earn their Eagle Scout Badge, each of these seven young men had to earn a minimum of 21 merit badges, take a leadership role in their Boy Scout troop, and develop and complete a service project for the local community. I reminded these young men of their role in the community as leaders and challenged them to continue to be responsible citizens. Congratulations to the new Eagle Scouts: Mark Edmonds, Ian Exline, Foster Jacobs, Cormac O'Connor, Grant Rogers, Nathan Ross, and Samuel Vaughn. Thank you to Doug Edmonds for the invitation to participate in the ceremony. Here is a photo the new Eagle Scouts.

Visiting with Students at Fort Hays State Basketball Game in Hays

    Last Monday, I attended the Fort Hays State University men's basketball game as the Tigers took on the Truman State Bulldogs at Gross Memorial Coliseum, as a guest of President Edward Hammond. I enjoyed the opportunity to visit with students and local residents during the game. The Tigers put on an exciting offensive performance en route to an 84-57 victory over the Bulldogs. Fort Hays State is currently ranked 5th in the nation, with just one loss on the season. Congratulations to Coach Mark Johnson and the players for another impressive victory.

Mourning the Loss of Sergeant Eric Nettleton of Wichita

    Last week, Sergeant Eric Nettleton of Wichita passed away of injuries sustained from an improvised explosive device that detonated near his patrol while in Afghanistan. Eric served in the U.S. Army and was assigned to B Troop, 1st Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, Vilseck, Germany. I offer my deepest sympathies to the Nettleton family during this very difficult time. Americans are indebted to Eric for his brave service to protect our nation. Sergeant Nettleton's humble example of courage, dedication and patriotism is an inspiration to us all. His sacrifice will not be forgotten. The Nettleton family is in my thoughts and prayers.

Contact Me

    It is an honor to serve you in Washington, D.C. Please let me know how I can be of assistance. 

Very truly yours,

 

Jerry

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