This week the U.S. Senate reconvened for the second session of the 110^th Congress. After celebrating Christmas with my family, I traveled around Georgia before returning to work on Capitol Hill Tuesday. I hope you will take a moment to read my highlights from the past few weeks below.

On Tuesday, the Senate approved the Fiscal Year 2008 National Defense Authorization Act, which is expected to be signed by President Bush in the coming days. I am extremely proud that this legislation also includes several of my proposals to enhance the quality of life for members of the National Guard and Reserve. 

On Monday the Senate will continue consideration of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). 

Economic Stimulus Needed

This week congressional leaders and the White House worked to negotiate details of an economic stimulus package. I am in support of a stimulus plan to jump start our now sluggish economy, and I will support a plan that makes a real effort to reach those who are struggling the most. At the same time I want to make certain that we do not implement a plan that will simply stimulate retail sales and support the economies of trading partners.  We should seek to enact policies that will promote American manufacturing. We must also enact measures that will benefit the small business community as that is where the majority of the jobs in this country come from.  I look forward to a quick, bipartisan solution, but whatever final package is approved should not raise taxes or increase the size of government.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Service

This past Monday, I attended the King Center’s Martin Luther King, Jr. commemorative service at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta. It is a privilege to attend this service once again, where we pay tribute to Dr. King and his legacy as a champion of civil rights. Dr. King’s message continues to inspire generations of Americans and it is my sincere hope that his words and vision will continue to influence our nation in positive ways.

Albany Rotary Club Meeting

Shortly after the New Year, I traveled to Albany where I visited the YMCA and addressed members of the Albany Rotary Club. During my remarks I recapped my Thanksgiving trip to Iraq and highlighted other issues such as the farm bill. To read about my visit in the Albany Herald [a non-Senate website],click here. 

LaGrange and West Point Lake Visit

On January 7th, I visited the LaGrange area, where I received a firsthand look at West Point Lake and spoke with local folks about how the drought is affecting the lake levels and surrounding communities. While I was in the area, I also spoke to members of the LaGrange-Troup County Chamber of Commerce and met with community leaders at City Hall.

Gainesville and Lake Lanier Visit

The following day, January 8th, I traveled up to Gainesville where I visited Lanier Village Estates retirement community, met with members of the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce, and went to Lake Lanier for a briefing on the drought conditions there.

To read about my visit in the Gainesville Times [a non-Senate website], click here.

To view a video of my visit to Lake Lanier check out the Gainesville Times [a non-Senate website] and click here. 

Water Meeting

On Monday, both Senator Isakson and I, along with Congressman Westmoreland, met with Brigadier General Joseph Shroedel and Colonel Byron Jorns of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Sam Hamilton with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, as well as leaders from the communities surrounding West Point Lake and Lake Lanier.  It is imperative that the Corps continue working to update the water control manuals that govern their operations of the river basins in Georgia. I believe a direct and continued open dialogue is critical, and our meeting provided a venue for the Corps and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to understand the concerns of the affected communities and to explain the work they are currently undertaking. The unprecedented drought we have been experiencing has had a severe impact on our state, and while we can’t legislate the weather, rest assured I continue working to address this issue.

Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference

On Saturday, January 12, I traveled to Savannah where I delivered the opening remarks at the 2008 Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference. The specialty crop industry receives significant funding in various titles of the Senate-passed farm bill, including $388 million over five years in the Specialty Crop Subtitle for block grants and other programs. Additionally, the Senate-passed farm bill maintains fruit and vegetable planting restrictions, which is a top priority for specialty crop producers in our state. Georgia’s agricultural community grows a diverse group of fruits and vegetables, and I was pleased to provide an update on the farm bill and receive feedback from many of the folks who were in attendance. As the Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, I will continue to work to ensure that our nation’s farmers have the necessary resources to produce a safe, abundant, and affordable food supply.

Charlie Norwood Veterans Affairs Medical Center

On Tuesday, January 15, I traveled to Augusta where I attended a ceremony to rename the Augusta Veterans Affairs facility the “Charlie Norwood Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center” in honor of the late Congressman Charlie Norwood, R-Georgia, who passed away in February of 2007. Senator Isakson and I introduced legislation in the U.S. Senate last year to rename the facility.

Even as he faced personal adversity, Charlie worked tirelessly on behalf of our country’s veterans.  His unceasing passion and integrity earned him the respect of countless colleagues, Georgians, and service members.  I’m pleased President Bush signed the legislation into law, because in renaming the facility in his honor, we pay tribute to his many years of service and Charlie’s unique legacy to our state and country.

Naval Reserve Association Award
 
On Tuesday, leaders of the Naval Reserve Association visited my office where we discussed issues important to our nation’s military.  It was an honor to be presented with the organization’s National Legislative Advocacy Award for my work in the Senate to reduce the age at which members of the National Guard and Reserve can receive retirement pay.  My legislation, which is expected to be signed into law this week as part of the 2008 National Defense Authorization Act, will lower the age at which our citizen soldiers can collect retirement pay by three months (counting down from age 60) for every 90 days a member of the Guard or Reserve spends on active duty in support of a contingency operation. 

Members of our Guard and Reserve are called upon more and more, and they make tremendous sacrifices with respect to their family and civilian employment.  If we’re going to continue to call on our citizen soldiers we need to take action to show that we stand behind them and appreciate the tough challenges they face.  I am concerned that those who would otherwise stay in until they reach 20 years of service are going to get out, particularly those who are experiencing repeat deployments.  My bill creates an additional incentive for them to stay and continue serving until the 20 year point so that we can take advantage of their experience and appropriately compensate them for their service.  While we didn’t get everything we wanted in this bill, particularly in making this bill retroactive to include those who have served since September 11, 2001, I believe it is a good first step, and I will continue working to address this issue.

Read the entire press release on my website here.

Coming up…..This coming Monday, January 28, 2008, President Bush will deliver his annual State of the Union Address at 9:00 p.m.

It is an honor to represent you in the U.S. Senate, and I look forward to a continued dialogue with you. Should you ever need assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me toll free at 1-800-234-4208.