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Gingrey presents Purple Heart to

Haralson Co. Iraq Veteran

This month, Phil had the honor of presenting the Purple Heart award to SSgt. Sean Kelley of Haralson County.  SSgt. Kelley was wounded in action on September 23, 2004 in Taji, Iraq.  Major Curtis Lewis attended the ceremony as a representative of the U.S. Army.

“We are indebted to our brave servicemen and women for their exceptional job protecting our nation,” said Phil. “Ssgt. Kelley is a true hero, and it was an honor and a privilege to present him with the Purple Heart. Our nation’s freedom depends on men like Ssgt. Kelley.”

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Gingrey fights to ensure physicians can continue serving our seniors

Earlier this month, the Iraq Study Group (ISG) released its report on our efforts in Iraq.   After examining the recommendations, Phil expressed concern that one word was conspicuously missing from the report: “victory.”

“The U.S. can achieve victory in Iraq, ensuring the Iraqi people preserve their hard-earned freedoms,” said Phil.  “After reading this report, it is clear victory is not their goal.  Yet victory is our goal. A free, stable and democratic Iraq will deal a striking blow to terrorism in the Middle East.”

“I am also troubled by the report’s recommendation for consultation with Iran and Syria,” Phil continued.  “Neither of these regimes support a free and democratic Iraq, and both would demand a steep and dangerous price for any assistance they provide.”

Phil recognized portions of the report could help the U.S. achieve victory. 

“I was encouraged that the report defines our efforts in Iraq as crucial to the War on Terror,” he said. “A defeat in Iraq would help Al-Qaida win a propaganda victory and expand its base of operation.  Additionally, the report rightly shuns calls to cut-and-run as well as time-certain deadlines for troop withdrawal.”

Finally, Phil offered his views on our path to victory in Iraq.

“After considering a wide range of strategies and options, I believe our best course of action is to start putting more Iraqi troops into battle with embedded U.S. advisors,” said Phil. “This achieves four important goals: it allows these Iraqi units to become battle-hardened, building combat ability and unit cohesion; it helps the U.S. judge where our training has been successful and where we need additional focus; it allows U.S. troops to redeploy to safer areas as Iraqi troops take their place; and it allows the Iraqi army to build a lasting rapport with the Iraqi people as the military is capable of protecting the nation.  I am glad the report focused on this tactic, and I have signed a letter to President Bush emphasizing this strategy.”

December saw Congress debating legislation to reduce the tax burden on hard-working Americans.  Phil proudly helped lead the debate on the Tax Relief and Health Care Act, which prevented important tax relief provisions from expiring. 

“Americans already shoulder too heavy a burden from the U.S. tax code,” said Phil. “If we had let these tax provisions expire, it would have forced a tax hike on millions of American workers and families.  By keeping taxes low, we encourage innovation, grow the economy, and let the American people – not the U.S. government – decide how their money should be spent.”

The tax provisions include:

-- A tax deduction for tuition and higher education expenses.

-- A “new market” tax credit to help rural communities foster new industries and diversify local economies.

-- The Welfare-to-Work Tax Credit and the Work Opportunity Tax Credit, creating more job opportunities and further reducing the Federal welfare rolls.

-- The Research and Development Tax Credit, letting American companies continue innovative research in technology and medicine.

-- A tax credit for teachers who buy schoolroom supplies out-of-pocket.

-- Energy tax credits for energy efficient homes and businesses, methanol and ethanol fuel, and businesses that produce electricity from solar energy, fuel cells and microturbines.

In mid-December, Phil voted to support H.R. 6099, the Unborn Child Pain Awareness Act.  This legislation helps women make informed medical choices.  It requires abortion providers to give women information on the pain their unborn children feel during abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy.  It also gives mothers the option of anesthesia for the baby. 

“As an OB/GYN physician, I’ve had the joy of delivering more than 5,200 babies,” said Phil.  “I have seen children greet the world earlier than expected – some as young as 24 weeks.  It was during these experiences that I saw the strength of these tiny children, and their ability to feel pain, too. When we pricked their feet for basic tests, they recoiled in pain.  If these 24-week old children can feel pain outside the womb, they can feel pain inside the womb, too.”

“It is for this reason I strongly support the Unborn Child Pain Awareness Act,” Phil continued.  “I see this bill as a compassionate piece of legislation that first and foremost gives mothers all the information they need to make informed medical decisions.  I am pro-life, but I believe people on both sides of this issue can agree that women should be fully informed about the choice they’re making and the medical science concerning their developing babies.”