This week marks National Teacher Appreciation week, a time to honor educators and acknowledge the contributions they make to the lives of our children. Read full entry

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I would like to thank the teachers and first graders of Weatherly Heights Elementary School for allowing me to come read Woodrow for President to them today. Read full entry

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North Alabama is proud and respectful of our veterans’ sacrifice.  Their commitment and willingness to serve our community and country has inspired countless others to follow in their footsteps.  I applaud efforts across North Alabama to honor our veterans for their continued patriotism and service.  I am honored to work in Congress to help ensure our veterans are remembered and given the recognition and support they have earned. Read full entry

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I would like to congratulate Jim Hudson, Rick Myers, and all involved with the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology on this historic day. Read full entry

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The much anticipated Bridge Street Town Centre Development project officially opened its doors to North Alabama today.  This upscale retail and entertainment community will be a welcomed addition to Huntsville and will draw people from across the Valley to our community. Read full entry

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TVA and the NuStart Energy Consortium took the first steps to completing Bellefonte Nuclear Facility today when they announced the submission of Combined Operating License application from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Read full entry

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Verizon Wireless opened a state-of-the-art, 152,000 square foot Customer Call Center and State Headquarters in Huntsville today.  The facility began operations in September and currently has over 500 employees.  Once the facility is fully staffed, it is expected to employ 1,300. Read full entry

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The House of Representatives today approved the Celebrating America’s Heritage Act.  This bill will designate the Muscle Shoals region as a National Heritage Area.  Today’s passage clears the bill for Senate consideration of this designation. Read full entry

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This week begins National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Week.  Each year, firefighters from across the country gather in Washington to pay tribute to those who died while serving in the line of duty.  This year, Captain Lloyd Stamps McCulloch and Firefighter Dustin Keith Jones from the Moulton Fire Department will be honored. Read full entry

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The House National Resources Committee approved legislation today bringing the Shoals area a step closer to being named a National Heritage Area. Read full entry

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The Honor Flight Tennessee Valley Chapter made its second successful trip to Washington this weekend, giving 117 World War II veterans an opportunity to see the monument built in their honor. Read full entry

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Images from the September 11th attacks are still abundantly clear in my memory.  I will never forget my immediate reaction upon learning what was taking place on that tragic day.   Read full entry

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This year’s Academy Day was a success!  Once again, we had a large turnout of students who expressed interest in attending one of our nation’s five military academies. Read full entry

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Senator Shelby and I were in Iraq to see first hand our military operations and to thank our troops for their continued service.  We had a good meeting with General Petraeus, and were also able to meet with many soldiers from North Alabama. Read full entry

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NASA took a key step today in its realization of the Space Exploration Mission.  They announced that Boeing will manufacture the upper stage of the Ares 1 rocket.  Read full entry

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Farmers in North Alabama received some good news today from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.  The Ag Department announced that it would provide over $1 million in Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) funding to counties in our state affected by the ongoing drought. Read full entry

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Over the Weekend, the U.S. House finished consideration on the FY 2008 Defense Appropriations Act.  With passage of this much needed bill for our soldiers, the House has now considered all 12 Appropriations bills for the upcoming fiscal year. Read full entry

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Northwest Alabama received tremendous economic development news.  Earlier today, I joined Governor Riley and others from across the Shoals to announce that National Alabama has chosen Colbert County to build a new freight car manufacturing plant.  Headquartered in Hamilton, Ontario, National Industries will invest $350 million to locate its first facility in the United States at Barton Riverfront Industrial Park.  Once completed, this facility is expected to employ 1,800 people. Read full entry

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The House Natural Resources Committee’s Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands held a hearing today to hear testimony on the Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area Designation Act. Read full entry

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This year’s drought has been a nightmare for North Alabama farmers and today, the received much need good news – The U.S. Department of Agriculture has designated the entire State of Alabama as a primary natural disaster. Read full entry

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I have heard from hundreds of constituents in North Alabama expressing their opposition to the Senate Immigration bill.  I too am opposed to this measure.  I do not believe that we should reward those who illegally enter our country and I am pleased that the Senate has pulled this bill from consideration.  Read full entry

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I learned today that President Bush will visit North Alabama this week to celebrate the restart of the Unit #1 nuclear reactor at TVA’s Browns Ferry Nuclear Power Facility.  The President’s visit on Thursday will be the first time a sitting President has visited Limestone County. Read full entry

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The U.S. Department of State announced today that it is easing its passport requirements for U.S. citizens traveling to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda.  Today’s actions are in response to the significant backlog of individuals requesting a passport to travel to areas where until recently no passport was required. Read full entry

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Today is National Missing Children’s Day, which was first established in 1983 by President Reagan.  A year later, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children was founded to serve as a clearinghouse for information on missing children and to coordinate efforts across the country to locate and bring home abducted kids.  Since its start, the National Center has remarkably increased the national recovery rate of missing children from 62 percent to over 94 percent today. Read full entry

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The Alabama Development office today released its “2006 New and Expanding Industry Report.” In this report, ADO found that 48 companies announced a total of 4,602 new jobs in Madison County last year, making it the number one location for new and expanding businesses in the state. Read full entry

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I would like to commend TVA and its employees at Browns Ferry for their work to successfully restart Browns Ferry #1.  This is the first nuclear reactor brought online since 1995 and one of only a handful of facilities in the country with three working reactors. Read full entry

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As you know, the traditional start to Hurricane Season along the Gulf Coast begins next week. In recent years, Hurricane Season has brought unthinkable devastation to the Gulf Coast. Although North Alabama was fortunate to avoid the severity of those storms, our area still suffers from severe weather patterns resulting from the hurricanes.    This is National Hurricane Preparedness week and the National Weather Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the Federal Emergency Management Administration are reminding us to be prepared in the event of a storm.   The Department of Homeland Security’s website, www.ready.gov, has put together a comprehensive resource on hurricane and severe weather preparedness. Click here for tips on what you and your family should do to prepare for a storm. Read full entry

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The House Anti-Terrorism Caucus today heard from retired General Anthony Zinni on his thoughts on the current crisis in the Middle East.  General Zinni, a retired Marine Corps General, has served as the Commander of the U.S. Central Command as well as a special envoy for the United States to Israel and the Palestinian Authority.  His unique perspective caught the interest of a large bipartisan group of House members. Read full entry

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Today, family members of those with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, or ALS, visited Washington to encourage members to support an increased federal commitment to ALS research. This disease, which is also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a fatal disease that slowly paralyzes one’s body. Unfortunately, there is limited understanding of the causes of ALS and there is no cure.   As a member of Congress, I have worked with my colleagues to bring awareness to increased ALS research and am proud to announce that on Monday, I joined eighty-two of my colleagues to introduce the National ALS Registry Act. This bill would create a single, nationwide ALS registry at the Center for Diseases Control and Prevention to collect key data and information on ALS patients across the country. It is our hope that with a singular resource of ALS patients and symptoms, scientists will be able to better understand the disease and work towards a cure. Read full entry

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In North Alabama and across the country, our law enforcement community puts their lives on the line every day to keep us safe.  Each year, on Peace Officers Day, law enforcement officers from across the country will pause to honor their fallen brethren. Read full entry

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The Huntsville-Madison County Chamber of Commerce held an economic summit for its members today.  This is the second year that they have brought together economic developers and community leaders to discuss ways the region could enhance its economic competitiveness. Read full entry

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Earlier this week, I was informed by the New Orleans Passport Office that over the last year the number of passport applications has increased regionally from 57,000 applications to over 300,000 applications today.  Nationally, there are over 3 million applications waiting to be processed. Read full entry

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Last month, I met with local AFGE officials in my Huntsville District Office.  We had a good discussion on what ways we could improve the quality of life for government employees across North Alabama.  As our region prepares for additional people due to BRAC, I will continue to listen to AFGE and all of those interested in a smooth transition for Redstone. Read full entry

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Today, during a hearing of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, Dr. David Chu, the Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, discussed the Pentagon’s efforts to help soldiers cope with the traumas associated with war.  During his testimony, I encouraged the Dr. Chu to continue DoD’s coordination with non-profit organizations across the country to help soldiers returning home from war readjust to civilian life.  Read full entry

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Arizona Congressman Trent Franks and I hosted a briefing today to discuss the merit of a strong Ballistic Missile Defense System.  North Alabama is a key player in protecting our country from ballistic missiles.  Read full entry

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The House took steps this week to bring awareness to victims’ rights by approving legislation expressing support for innovative programs that would better educate communities on the signs associated with child abuse and sexual assault. Read full entry

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From April 21st through April 24th, officials from nearly every community in our state met in North Alabama for the annual Alabama League of Municipalities Convention. This convention brings together elected leaders from across the state to discuss issues with one another and share solutions on common problems. I had an opportunity to address this crowd on Saturday and to personally welcome these officials to our community.   I hope that League members had an enjoyable stay in North Alabama as well as a successful and productive conference. Read full entry

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This morning my Defense Appropriations Subcommittee held a hearing with officials from the Army Materiel Command.  AMC is coming to Redstone through BRAC and this hearing gave me an opportunity to have an open dialog with its Deputy Commanding General, Lieutenant General William Mortensen. We discussed resetting the force and the work being done at the depots AMC manages. Read full entry

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This week, Congressman Aderholt and I are proud to host the Chambers of Commerce from Huntsville-Madison County and Decatur-Morgan County for our annual Washington Update.  This year’s trip featured remarks from CIA Director General Michael Hayden; the Undersecretary of Defense for Installations and Environment, Phillip Grone; and Representatives Zach Wamp, Jane Harman, Lincoln Davis, and Kay Granger. Read full entry

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I am shocked by the tragic news of a Virginia Tech University student terrorizing and killing his fellow students and professors before taking his own life today.  On behalf everyone in North Alabama, I send our condolences to the families of today’s victims as well as the entire Virginia Tech community as they recover from this event. Read full entry

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Community leaders from twenty-one counties across North Alabama and South Tennessee returned to Northern Virginia today to promote our region to current MDA, AMC, and SMDC employees.  This is the second such gathering since the Base Realignment and Closure Commission’s recommendations became final last year. Read full entry

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I visited today with the volunteers of the Healthy Establishments at Local Schools (HEALS) Clinic at Lincoln Elementary School in Huntsville.  HEALS Clinics provide free dental services, medical care, and social services to students at the school.  Today, there are six HEALS Clinics in Madison County with plans to add a seventh.  The Lincoln Elementary location was opened in 2000. Read full entry

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Congratulations to the Missile Defense Agency in Huntsville on the successful test of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) Ballistic Missile program.  Today’s test was designed to simulate a SCUD-like missile attack. Read full entry

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Fourteen World War II veterans from across North Alabama were apart of the inaugural Tennessee Valley Honor Flight trip to the Washington, D.C. today.  Read full entry

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The Department of Homeland Security is now accepting applications for a new round of its “Assistance to Firefighters Grant program.” Read full entry

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The Tuskegee Airmen were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal this week in a ceremony in the U.S. Capitol building. Read full entry

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Pictured above, Representative Cramer met with Dr. Derald Morgan and his grandchildren. Read full entry

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Pictured above, Representative Cramer meets with students and teachers from Priceville Elementary School.  Read full entry

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Pictured above, students from Monrovia Elementary School listen to Representative Cramer discuss the roles and responsibilities of members of Congress. Read full entry

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This week the Alabama Farmers Federation returns to Washington for their annual Legislative Conference.  This year’s trip is especially important as Congress continues its work on the reauthorization of the 2002 Farm Bill. Read full entry

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Today the University of Alabama Board of Trustees unanimously approved Dr. David Williams to be the University of Alabama in Huntsville’s next President.  I would like to be one of the first individuals to welcome Dr. Williams, his wife Margaret, and their children to North Alabama. Read full entry

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I would like to welcome Major General Chris Anzalone and his family to North Alabama.  The Air Force announced today that he will soon move to Redstone to lead MDA’s relocation efforts. Read full entry

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Beginning this month, numerous individuals and families are planning vacations and business trips to places around the world.  As a result, each year at this time, the State Department has an increase in the requested demand for passports.  This has led to a significant backlog of applications and processing periods of up to ten weeks. Read full entry

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The World War II Memorial was officially dedicated in May of 2004, nearly sixty years after the war concluded.  In 2007, an organization from North Alabama began organizing trips for World War II veterans to visit their memorial in Washington. Read full entry

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North Alabama is proud of the legacy our community shares with NASA and the Marshall Space Flight Center.  We celebrate the space agency’s successes and stand with them during their moments of tragedy. Read full entry

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Yesterday, our friends in South Alabama experienced deadly storms which ravaged the City of Enterprise and the Miller’s Ferry Community.  Images from yesterday’s tornados are a reminder that tragedy can strike at any moment and it’s important for our communities to be prepared in times of an emergency.  Read full entry

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The Congressional Management Foundation (CMF) recently graded all 615 congressional websites.  This total includes all House and Senate members, Committees (both majority and minority), and leadership websites.  My site received an A grade, earning it a Silver Mouse Award.  CMF also cited my “Letter of the Month” feature as one of the top features used on all of the sites it graded. Read full entry

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The Federal Bureau of Investigation in Birmingham is offering a reward of up to $25,000 for information concerning the location and return of the missing VA hard drive. Read full entry

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Be on the lookout for $1 coins depicting your favorite U.S. Presidents.  Beginning today with the unveiling of the George Washington Presidential Coin, the U.S. Mint releases $1 Coins in honor of every U.S. President.  The Mint has announced that it will introduce four $1 coins each year until all forty-three Presidents have been featured. Read full entry

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This morning, I had the pleasure of reading “Woodrow for President,” by Peter and Cheryl Barnes to first graders at Hampton Cove Elementary School. Read full entry

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Earlier today, I had the pleasure of meeting with a group of leaders from Hartselle. Read full entry

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Veterans from across North Alabama should be aware that a hard drive used by a VA employee in Birmingham is missing and may have been stolen.  The VA warns that the missing hard drive could contain personal information of veterans in Alabama. Read full entry

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The co-chairs of the Congressional Missing and Exploited Children’s Caucus held its first meeting today.  This briefing was a kick-off of an active year for the Caucus. Read full entry

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The 110th Congress has been organizing itself over the last few weeks and throughout this period I have secured some very important positions for North Alabama and our nation.  Read full entry

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Senator Lamar Alexander and I met over lunch today to discuss the future direction of the TVA Caucus.  As co-chairmen of the Caucus, we discussed our beliefs on TVA’s role in economic development, its utilities service, land management, and responsibilities to the ratepayers. Read full entry

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Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is one of our nation’s greatest individuals.  Few Americans have had a more profound influence on our lives than Dr. King.  His life and his legacy will forever be remembered and taught to future generations across the world.  Read full entry

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As a result of the changes within the Tennessee Valley Authority, the Members of Congress from the seven state Tennessee Valley region have decided to reinvigorate the TVA Caucus in order to provide input and oversight for the agency.  I am honored that I have been chosen to cochair this caucus with Tennessee Senator Lamar Alexander.  We look forward to leading the bipartisan and bicameral group in a new direction for the 110th Congress. Read full entry

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One of the 110th Congress’s top priorities this year is to further implement the recommendations of the September 11th Commission and last night, the House approved legislation that would implement many of the Commission’s remaining reforms. Read full entry

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I am pleased to announce that the House approved legislation today to restore responsible budgeting in the federal government. Read full entry

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I have served on the House Appropriations Committee since 1998.  In the 110th Congress, I will join three new Appropriation Subcommittees, which I believe will better position me to advocate for North Alabama’s unique resources and capabilities. Read full entry

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Today, I began my ninth term as North Alabama’s Representative in the U.S. House of Representatives.  I am honored to have the opportunity to continue my role fighting for our community across North Alabama. Read full entry

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As 2006 comes to a close and we celebrate all that our community has accomplished over the past year, I wish you and your family a joyous holiday season and the very best for the New Year. Read full entry

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President Ford will lie in State in the U.S. Capitol this weekend.  Below are the details for his funeral in Washington. Read full entry

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President Gerald Ford passed away last night at the age of 93.  He was a fine leader who assumed the presidency during a difficult period in our country’s history and his leadership helped restore integrity in our government.  My thoughts and prayers are with his family. Read full entry

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I would like to congratulate the astronauts onboard the Space Shuttle Discovery upon the completion of their thirteen day mission to the International Space Station. Read full entry

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I joined the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence shortly after the September 11th terrorist attacks on our country.  Since that time, my committee has worked to strengthen the intelligence community as a whole and has authored legislation to better integrate our intelligence agencies to prevent our country from future attacks.  Read full entry

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I am pleased to learn today that I will serve another term on the House Appropriations Committee in the 110th Congress.  Read full entry

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On Saturday, NASA launched the space shuttle Discovery on a twelve-day mission to the International Space Station.  Its launch was the first shuttle night launch in over four years. Read full entry

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My Washington office has moved.  Here is my new contact information. Read full entry

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The non-partisan Iraq Study Group released its report today  I hope my colleagues and I will use their report as a catalyst for bipartisan discussions on how our country should address Iraq. Read full entry

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This morning, officials from Boeing and Lockheed Martin finalized an agreement to officially form the United Launch Alliance.  This is great news for North Alabama and our nation’s space industry. Read full entry

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Our community learned today that Hartselle, Alabama, native Corporal Jon-Erik Loney died while serving his country in Iraq.  Corporal Loney passed away after a roadside bomb exploded near the Humvee he was driving.  He was in the Salahuddin province moving toward Baghdad when he died. Read full entry

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Redstone Arsenal will host a retirement ceremony tonight for Lieutenant General Larry Dodgen.  General Dodgen is retiring after thirty-four years of honorable service in the U.S. Army. Read full entry

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On Thursday, November 30th, communities across the country will host programs bringing awareness to the dangers of Methamphetamines as part of National Methamphetamine Awareness Day. Read full entry

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I hope you and your family have a happy Thanksgiving! Read full entry

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Huntsville Hospital and the American Red Cross are encouraging individuals to give blood to help victims of yesterday’s bus accident as well as to maintain a plentiful supply for other life-saving emergencies.  All types of blood are needed, but O-negative, which is used universally, is needed most.  Platelet donations are also needed. Read full entry

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The loss of a young person touches all of us.  My thoughts and prayers are with those grieving and injured from today’s tragic bus accident.  Read full entry

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Yesterday, the House approved the Gynecologic Cancer Education and Awareness Act.  This legislation authorizes over two years a total of $16.5 million to increase awareness of gynecological cancers.  I was a proud cosponsor of this bill. Read full entry

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Open enrollment has begun for Medicare prescription drug coverage.  If seniors want to sign up or change their Medicare plan for 2007, they must do so by December 8, 2006.  Read full entry

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This week is American Education Week, a yearly celebration of the importance of education and of the teachers that positively influence our nation’s youth.  The first American Education Week was held in 1921.  Read full entry

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Beginning today and continuing through the weekend, communities across the country will organize tributes and parades in honor of our nation’s vets.  There are over 77,000 veterans living in North Alabama and here in our community, we are extremely grateful for our veterans’ patriotism. Read full entry

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Halloween should be a fun experience for children of all ages.  Tonight, as you walk or drive through your neighborhood, please keep the safety of trick-or-treaters first in your mind. Read full entry

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Earlier today, President Bush signed legislation authorizing the construction of a 700-mile fence along the United States and Mexican border.  This bill, the Secure Fence Act, was approved by the House and Senate in September. Read full entry

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Governor Riley and I joined officials from International Truck and Engine to announce construction of a new engine manufacturing facility in Huntsville.  Read full entry

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Having four cities and two counties so close together makes the Shoals region unique compared to other regions in my district.  In fact, there are frequent examples of individuals living in one part of the Shoals and working in another. Read full entry

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Today, I had the opportunity to meet with the employees of Boeing’s Delta Rocket Facility in Decatur.  Since the facility opened in 1997, the employees there have maintained a strong commitment to quality.  In fact, the dedication of Boeing’s employees, and the success and reliability of the delta rockets were reasons cited by both the Department of Defense and the Federal Trade Commission in their preliminary approval of the United Launch Alliance. Read full entry

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I would like to welcome all the defense officials, contractors, and soldiers from North Alabama who attended this year’s AUSA Conference.  The 2006 AUSA Annual Meeting & Exposition was held this week at the Convention Center in Washington, D.C.  I look forward to seeing you all next year again! Read full entry

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As everyone is well aware by now, our community was one of the biggest winners through BRAC, gaining over 4,700 jobs at Redstone by 2011.  This number is only a fraction of the people that could move to our region as a result of this great news.  Read full entry

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Last week, I supported the conference report for the Fiscal Year 2007 National Defense Authorization Act.  This bill, in addition to authorizing funding for the Department of Defense and its programs, also contained language increasing pay for military personnel and protecting servicemembers from certain unscrupulous payday loan companies. Read full entry

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North Alabama received great news today from the Federal Trade Commission when it announced that it had unanimously approved the United Launch Alliance. Read full entry

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As a former prosecutor and founder of the National Children’s Advocacy Center and the National Children’s Alliance, I have worked for years to increase public awareness and educate parents and kids about child exploitation, abuse, and kidnapping.  In Congress, I have championed new laws that make it easier for law enforcement to track sex offenders and locate missing children. Read full entry

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Our farmers in North Alabama and across the country are once again suffering from drought conditions that are limiting the amount of crops they are able to produce.  In fact, this year is one of the most severe droughts our area has experienced in many years.  The U.S. Department of Agriculture is providing low interest loans for farmers in all seven counties in North Alabama but, more aid is needed. Read full entry

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I was pleased to see so many young men and women from North Alabama attend this year’s event. Read full entry

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Family, friends, and supporters of Alabama State Senator Tommy Ed Roberts paid tribute to him today during a ceremony honoring his many years of public service. Read full entry

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The great year in economic development continued today with the news that Verizon will open a customer call center and create over 1,200 new jobs in Huntsville.  I would like to congratulate Verizon Wireless on their continued success and welcome them to North Alabama.  This is tremendous news for our community and a welcome addition to our rapidly growing region. Read full entry

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In 2005 alone, 1.3 million people were diagnosed with a form of cancer.  Cancer, in its many forms, strikes one out of every two men and one out of every three women.  It is responsible for one of every four deaths in the United States. Read full entry

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For many years, Alabama A&M University’s faculty, students, and alumni have been recognized for their work in and out of the classroom.  This week, the entire A&M community celebrated a new chapter in its 131-year history with the inauguration of Dr. Robert Jennings as the University’s tenth President.  Read full entry

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After the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, life in this country changed forever.  The images of those attacks are permanently etched in our minds.  We continue to mourn those lost and to honor the brave men and women who sacrificed their lives trying to save others. Read full entry

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NASA today launched the Space Shuttle Atlantis for its eleven-day mission to attach additional components to the International Space Station.  With this flight, NASA resumes construction of the space station and brings the agency a step closer to fulfilling its international commitments.  Read full entry

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Tonight I had the opportunity to meet with the astronauts from STS-121.  These brave individuals successfully flew onboard the Space Shuttle Discovery for thirteen days following its amazing launch on July 4, 2006. Read full entry

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A number of the counties in Tennessee Congressman Lincoln Davis’s district border our communities in North Alabama.  Within this combined area, we share a great deal of economic resources and every day hundreds of people cross the border from their home in one state to their job in the other.  In order to maximize our regions’ economic potential, Congressman Davis and I hosted an economic development summit today with officials from both sides of the Alabama-Tennessee state line.  Read full entry

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One year ago today, Hurricane Katrina ravaged the gulf coasts of Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi.  I was proud of the immediate and compassionate reaction the North Alabama region displayed to our neighbors in the South.  We opened up our communities, our homes, and our wallets to help those impacted by the storm.  We made a significant difference in their lives during the difficult aftermath of the storm. Read full entry

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Each year I have the honor and privilege to nominate deserving students for appointment to one of our nation’s five military academies.  For the past several years, I have hosted an informational program with representatives from each of the academies to answer questions that students, parents, and teachers might have on the nomination process. Read full entry

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Yesterday I met with the Secretary of the Army Francis Harvey, Governor Riley, Major General Pillsbury, and other community leaders to discuss the challenges we face for the positive growth due to BRAC.  Secretary Harvey came to visit Redstone and to discuss first hand what our community needs to do in order to prepare for the influx of BRAC workers. Read full entry

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Today, British Law Enforcement in London arrested twenty-three individuals who were to plotting to smuggle liquid explosives aboard airliners in their carry-on bags and blow up as many as 10 passenger-laden airliners. Read full entry

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Northwest Alabama, along the Tennessee River, is one of the country’s hidden gems.  It is the birthplace of American icons such as Helen Keller, W.C. Handy, and Sam Phillips.  General Joe Wheeler and former U.S. Senator Howell Heflin also called it home.  On Thursday, July 28, I introduced legislation to bring much deserved national attention to the contributions this area has made to our country. Read full entry

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In 1981, Adam Walsh was abducted from a Sears’ parking lot and murdered in his hometown of Hollywood, Florida.  Adam is the son of John Walsh, who later went on to create and host the groundbreaking television program, America’s Most Wanted.  In the years since his son’s disappearance and murder, John has become the leading advocate for child safety, and I have worked with him and his wife Reve on numerous child advocacy issues. Read full entry

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Over the years, Congress has worked to build a stronger safety net around our children and has created a state-specific sexual offenders list.  However, there were still too many ways for offenders to slip between the cracks.  For example, Jessica L