Summer 2006 Newsletter: Putting Our Families First!
You can read each article by clicking on the below links or by downloading a printable version (PDF file) of the newsletter.
Table of Contents
- Welcome Letter
- Pull Our Troops Out of Iraq
- Fix Medicare Part D
- Improving Safety and Reducing Noise at Teterboro
- Progress Continues on Congressman Rothman's Vision for a Meadowlands Environmental Park
- Stem Cell Research: Making the Promise a Reality
- Listening Session Schedule
Dear Friend,
I hope this letter finds you and your loved ones well.
I am writing to let you know about some of the recent work I’ve been doing in Congress and to invite you to attend one or more of the 11 Listening Sessions (Town Hall Meetings) that I’ll be holding in August.
Our country faces challenging times. The war in Iraq continues to claim American lives. I am outraged that the President refuses to consider a new direction in Iraq despite the fact that our brave servicemen and women continue to suffer the consequences. Our soldiers die, our military is dangerously depleted and the situation in Iraq continues to deteriorate. The President’s “stay-the-course” policy is a mistake. The time has come to begin to redeploy our troops out of Iraq, rebuild our forces, and immediately fund the full implementation of the 9/11 Commission’s homeland security recommendations.
We also have other pressing matters. The Administration’s prescription drug plan is overly confusing and expensive. In addition, health care costs, one of the biggest long-term threats to our nation’s economic security, continue to rise. Gas prices
skyrocket to over $3 dollars a gallon and we are held hostage to those who produce foreign oil. Today’s cost of college tuition creates an even heavier financial burden on our families. And seniors and future retirees are rightfully worried about the Administration's ongoing plans to partially privatize social security, as well as the failure of corporate America to fully fund their pensions.I believe solutions for these concerns begin with a change in our national priorities. I sincerely hope to see you at one or more of my Listening Sessions so that we can discuss these issues, in person, and I can hear your views about setting a new direction for our country.
If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please contact me using the information at the bottom of this page. As always, it is an honor to serve as your Representative in the United States Congress!
Sincerely,
Steven R. Rothman, M.C.
"Eyes Wide Open: An Exhibit on the Human Cost of the Iraq War" in Washington, DC. A pair of boots like those pictured honored each U.S. military casualty.
May 11, 2006Bringing our troops home safely from the war in Iraq is at the top of Steve’s agenda. In February 2006, he publicly called for an end to the Administration's “stay-the-course” policy and he continues to believe that the wisest course of action is to begin redeploying all U.S. troops out of Iraq.
As a Congressman, Steve has always supported the strongest legislation designed to give our fighting men and women every resource they need to protect themselves and our nation. But while Steve will always remain an unwavering advocate for our national
defense, our military should not continue to fight this war of attrition in Iraq. In March, he voted against a federal spending bill designed to prop up the President's failed policy in Iraq, which has cost too many American lives, tarnished America's image abroad, nearly exhausted our military and taken our attention away from the real War on Terrorism.Recently, Steve said: “Our people would willingly bear the human and economic cost of the war in Iraq if it would actually save American lives in the long run. It will not. Given the President’s everchanging excuses for going to war, we can no longer justify the loss of American life and the addition of hundreds of billions of dollars to our national debt. We should not be in a war with no end. We must change course.”
Congressman Rothman hears seniors’ concerns about fixing Medicare Part D at a Listening Session in Edgewater. March 20, 2006Americans should never have to choose between paying for food or medicine. Yet, the enormous cost of prescription drugs is forcing some seniors to make that impossible choice. Unfortunately, the new prescription drug plan in the form of Medicare Part D is not helping. Seniors say it is too complicated, unnecessarily expensive and not working for them.
Steve believes that America can do better and that Congress must fix the Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan:
- Medicare must be allowed to negotiate with the drug companies to reduce the cost of prescription drugs.
- Medicare beneficiaries must have the freedom to change plans if they choose.
- The Administration must not penalize individuals who missed the enrollment deadline.
As you may know, Steve opposed the passage of Medicare Part D and instead voted for a simpler plan with better coverage. However, as long as Part D remains the law of the land, Steve will help you maximize your benefits under that program. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have questions.
Improving Safety and Reducing Noise at Teterboro
Flights at Teterboro Airport are down 10% from last year thanks in part to Congressman Steve Rothman's work with the Port Authority. Steve continues to focus his efforts on further reductions in flights at Teterboro, a nighttime curfew, improved airport security, safer flight paths, and other safety measures.
In addition, having banned the Stage 1 noisiest planes, Steve is now fighting to prevent Stage 2 noisy aircraft from using the airport.
Progress Continues on Congressman Rothman's Vision for a Meadowlands Environmental Park
Saving 8,400 Acres in the Meadowlands
Third graders studying the environment join Congressman Rothman as he presents $3,660,000 to continue work on a Meadowlands Environmental Park. May 1, 2006Ever since he came to Congress in 1997, Steve has worked to turn what was once seen as a poisoned wasteland into a magnificent recreational, educational, and environmental experience for the people of North Jersey. Steve has fought to save, preserve, and clean up the last 8,400 acres of open space in the Hackensack Meadowlands, with the goal of establishing a Meadowlands Environmental Park.
During the past 6 years, real progress has been made. Already, students are visiting the Meadowlands for environmental education programs and river rides, and to see the spectacular return of birds, wildlife and native plants.
In May, Steve announced another step forward: $3,660,000 in federal funds to help the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission (NJMC) continue planning and preservation activities in the Hackensack Meadowlands. To date, Steve has secured nearly $10 million for the Meadowlands Environmental Park!
Stem Cell Research: Making the Promise a Reality
Congressman Steve Rothman and U.S. Senator Robert Menendez join healthcare leaders for a roundtable discussion on stem cell research. June 2, 2006What do cancer, heart disease, Parkinson’s disease, and diabetes have in common? Answer: They are all illnesses that could be cured. Americans no longer have to give up hope when their loved ones are diagnosed with certain diseases thanks to a promising new area of science known as stem cell research.
To increase public understanding of stem cell research and the ethics of this new area of medicine, Congressman Steve Rothman and U.S. Senator Robert Menendez led a roundtable discussion on the topic at the Hackensack University Medical Center in June. Leading researchers, an ethicist, and experts on Parkinson’s disease, juvenile diabetes, and leukemia all participated in the event, titled “Stem Cell Research: Making the Promise a Reality.”
Steve is proud to work with Senators Menendez and Lautenberg to raise awareness about this area of research, which holds the key to easing the pain and suffering of so many of our family members and friends. The United States has long been the leader in groundbreaking health research and must continue that leadership by
supporting ethical stem cell research.
Congressman Rothman answered one of many questions about the rising cost of health care at the 2006 South Hackensack Listening Session. March 21, 2006Steve has scheduled a round of August Listening Sessions in 11 towns throughout Northern New Jersey. Please feel free to attend any of the Sessions that are convenient for you and your family — you do not have to live in the town to come to the Session scheduled there.
If you need directions or special accommodations, please contact Steve's office in Hackensack at (201) 646-0808.
Monday, Aug. 7
1:00pm-2:30pm
Elmwood Park
182 Market Street
Borough Hall7:00pm-8:30pm
Fort Lee
309 Main Street
Council ChambersTuesday, Aug. 8
1:00pm-2:30pm
Palisades Park
275 Broad Avenue
Borough Hall7:00pm-8:30pm
Lodi
1 Memorial Drive
Council ChambersWednesday, Aug. 9 1:00pm-2:30pm
Moonachie
70 Moonachie Rd
Council Chambers7:00pm-8:30pm
Thursday, Aug. 10
Teaneck
840 Teaneck Road
Teaneck Library1:00pm-2:30pm
Jersey City
Joseph Connors Center
28 Paterson Street7:00pm-8:30pm
Rutherford
176 Park Ave.
Borough HallFriday, Aug. 11 10:30am-12:00pm
Bogota
375 Larch Avenue
Borough Hall1:00pm-2:30pm
North Bergen
4233 Kennedy Blvd.
Borough Hall4:00pm-5:30pm
New Milford
930 River Road
Borough Hall
 | News Releases |
| Working
for District 9 |
| Biography |
| Newsletter |
| Media Kit |
| Photo Gallery |
| Media & News Links |
