Dear Friend,

Welcome to “This Week in Congress.”  I hope you find this newsletter useful.

Remembering September 11 and the Heroes of the War on Terror

            Honoring our military veterans is one of my top priorities. I have walked along the beaches of Normandy, France and looked at the cliffs that the “Greatest Generation” had to overcome to earn that title.  I have visited our young men and women in the sands of Iraq and know that their mission is not unlike that of a previous generation.  I have seen the faces of the many young people who serve and the families that care for them and, everyday, I thank God that they are defending our freedom and making our country a safer place for our children and theirs to grow, live, work and play.

            This week we honored the memories of those brave souls that were lost on September 11, 2001.  Many things have changed in our country since that time but our resolve remains unwavering as we seek to root out the evil that is infecting our world.  It is important to remember during this time that we should not forget our soldiers fighting in the War on Terrorism.  Since the War in Iraq began, we have lost 42 soldiers from Ft. Riley, and countless others have been wounded.

            Kansas is doing its part to secure our freedom in the world, and for that we have paid a heavy price.  However, we honor these men and women for their service and sacrifice and know that we are better off today because of them.  May God Bless them and their families.

Seeking Drought Assistance

On Saturday, along with Rep. Earl Pomeroy (D-ND) and Rep. Tom Osborne (R-NE), I led a bipartisan effort to urge House Appropriations Chairman Bill Young (R-FL) and Ranking Member David Obey (D-WI) to include disaster assistance for farmers and ranchers as part of future legislation to assist Florida hurricane victims. 

Many farmers and ranchers from across Kansas have been hit extremely hard this year.  Regardless of the weather conditions, be it drought, flooding or hurricanes, producers have sustained severe economic losses from this year’s disasters and need help.  Disaster legislation is needed to address the hardships that agricultural producers in Kansas have faced.

Precise numbers on the losses that agriculture producers in Kansas have suffered are still being compiled, but estimates place the damage well into the millions of dollars.        

Dedicating the WaKeeney Veterans Cemetery

On Friday, I was able to join residents of the WaKeeney area and veterans from across the state to dedicate the new Veterans Cemetery.  WaKeeney now joins the noble ranks of sacred places that serve as eternal homes for our nation’s veterans.

Veterans are the people I hold in the highest regard and our country is fortunate to have an abundance of men and women who are willing to answer the call of duty and accomplish great things for the benefit of our fellow man.  Even now, a new generation is fighting for the cause of freedom.  And someday soon, they too will bear the proud title, veteran.

WaKeeney, though far from Europe, Asia or the Middle East, will share the honor of being the eternal resting places for our honored dead and will bear the weight of rows of white headstones.  I was truly fortunate to be part of this experience.

Congress Passes Labor, HHS and Education Funding

On Thursday night, Congress passed funding legislation for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education for 2005.  This funding will go toward a number of important areas of the government. These areas include special education, No Child Left Behind, Head Start, disease prevention and control, the National Institutes of Health and community health centers. 

The effect of this legislation will be felt especially in rural Kansas.  Funding was included for rural health care, training, hospitals and emergency services.  Health care is the number one issue that I hear about on my travels throughout the First District.  This represents a small victory in the ongoing battle for better funding and quality care.

Deadline Approaching for U.S. Service Academy Applications

I am still accepting applications from young men and women interested in seeking nominations to the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado; the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland; the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, New York; and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York.  Those selected will enter the academies in June of 2005.

If nominated, applicants then must meet the individual admission requirements of each academy. The academies will make the final decision on who will receive an appointment of admission. Due to limited placement, I encourage all interested candidates to apply also to the offices of U.S. Senators Sam Brownback and Pat Roberts.

The application deadline is October 1, 2004.  Interested applicants should send a letter requesting application materials to:

Congressman Jerry Moran

Attn: Service Academy Selection

P.O. Box 1128

Hutchinson, KS 67504-1128

(202) 225-2715

In the Office

            This week a number of Kansans were in the office for meetings and tours.  Jim Keele from the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers was in from Paola and so were Jane McIrvin of Lehigh and Chris Tilden who is the Interim Director of Rural Health for the Kansas Department of Health and Environment in Topeka. 

            Also, Audrey Auernheimer of Salina, Dorothy Brumbaugh of Prairie Village, Barbara Reinhard of Topeka, Robert Haggard of Topeka, Kathy Cox and Mark and Dianna Wilson of Topeka were in from the National Association for the Mentally Ill. Gwendolyn Cargnel of Merrian and Dustin Myers of Emporia were in the office from the American Cancer Society as was Chuck Weston of Belleville.

            John and Linda Mishler and their children Katey and Karley of Buhler stopped by my office for a tour of the Capitol. 

Contact me:

            It is an honor to serve you in Washington, D.C.  Please let me know how I can be of service.  You can email me through my web page at: http://www.house.gov/moranks01/hearingfromyou.htm. You can also contact me through one of my offices below:

Hays District Office:
1200 Main Street, Suite 402
P.O. Box 249
Hays, Kansas 67601-0249
P: (785) 628-6401
F: (785) 628-3791

Hutchinson District Office:
1 N Main, Suite 525
P.O. Box 1128
Hutchinson, 67504
P: (620) 665-6138
F: (620) 665-6360

Washington D.C. Office
1519 Longworth H.O.B.
Washington, DC 20515
P: (202) 225-2715
F: (202) 225-5124


Very truly yours,

Jerry