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February 3, 2012

Hello,

The year is off to a busy start, and I’m pleased to fill you in on what I’ve been working on and what it means for Kansans.

Honoring Kansas Soldier

I was proud to head up support from the entire Kansas delegation this week to encourage Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta to recommend Father Emil Kapaun to the President to be posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroism and service in the Korean War. Father Kapuan was from Pilsen, Kansas and died as a prisoner of war in 1951. The delegation had offered legislation, signed into law, to waive the time limitation to award the Medal of Honor to Fauther Kapaun. Asking for Secretary Panetta to recommend him for the award is the next step in the process.

Father Kapaun is known for staying on the battlefield during the Battle of Unsan in 1950, dragging wounded soldiers to safety and attending to their injuries. This honor is long overdue for Father Kapaun, and I am proud to have been part of the effort over the last several years to recognize his bravery.

Family Farms Threatened

This week the Department of Labor (DOL) announced it will reconsider a portion of a proposed child labor rule that would threaten family farms. That’s a start – but not enough! I'm calling on DOL to scrap the entire thing and start over. The proposed regulation would threaten the most fundamental tradition in agriculture—working on the family farm.

The portion of the proposed “parental exemption” rule in question would have placed restrictions on the many family farms that have established their operations as a corporation or a partnership. This proposed rule is another unfortunate example of the kinds of burdensome and stupid regulations pouring out of this Administration. With the leadership of Sen. Jerry Moran and others, we made them think again about how this rule would change the way of life of many in farm country, but we have to keep fighting.

Pittsburg State Gorillas

I am pleased Sen. Moran and I could bring a bit of the Pittsburg State Gorillas’ 2011 NCAA Division II Football Championship to the U.S. Senate by introducing a resolution honoring their triumph. The Gorillas proved they were the best on the field, and now the Senate has officially recognized them as the best D-2 team in America.

PSU President, Dr. Steve Scott dropped by the office this week, and Sen. Moran and I had the privilege of presenting him with a copy of the official resolution that passed the Senate. To Dr. Scott, Coach Beck and his team, Pittsburg State fans all across the state and region– GOOO-RILLAS!

STOCK Act

The Senate has passed the STOCK Act, which I cosponsored. While insider trading is already illegal for everyone, the STOCK Act would require members of Congress and their staff to publically disclose stock trades after 30 days instead of once annually. I supported an amendment which extended this disclosure to the Executive Branch as well. This increased transparency is just good government.

Kansan of the Year

Every year the Kansas Native Sons and Daughters honor a devoted Kansan with the distinguished title of Kansan of the Year. This year, my friend and member of my staff, Harold Stones received that honor.

Since 1997, Harold has served as my Kansas Special Projects Director. He is my liaison with our state’s military bases as well with local governments, economic development groups, chambers of commerce and with companies that create jobs for Kansans. Harold is kind, optimistic, patient, tolerant, wise and a personal friend to more people than we could ever count. He has earned and deserves this recognition. But being the man he is, he would argue many others would merit the same. He would say it's what Kansans do. Congratulations Harold!

State of the Union

Last week we heard President Obama deliver the State of the Union address. You can click here to watch my video response. It was nothing more than a campaign speech. I am ready to work with the President and the Democratic leadership in the Senate, but there has to be a blueprint. There has to be a plan forward. There has to be leadership and results.

I wish we had learned the details of a plan to reduce regulations hurting our small businesses, farmers and ranchers. I wish I learned the details of a plan to reform taxes for all Americans. I wish I heard the President tell how he would promote American businesses that create jobs like our general aviation companies in Wichita, the air capital of the world. I had hoped to learn of a comprehensive plan to reduce spending, including entitlements. And finally, there was no mention of the four million waivers granted exempting unions and big businesses from the President’s new health care law. Costs are rising for families like yours; wonder where your waiver is? Instead, we heard a lot of campaign rhetoric –and as they say, you can’t take that to the bank.

Friends from Kansas

I’ve had a lot of Kansans stop by my office over the last few weeks. It is always nice to see them. And everyone is always welcome.

Kansas Wheat Growers

Kansas Head Start

Kansas Reserve Officers Association

Check Senator Roberts’ Website, YouTube and Facebook Sites for Updates

You can visit my YouTube site for more information on what’s happening in Washington, D.C. and Kansas by visiting www.youtube.com/SenPatRoberts. It's a great place to find speeches and debates on the Senate floor, press conferences, interviews and Senate hearings. You can also stay updated on all these happenings on my Facebook and Twitter sites.

If you wish to contact me about an issue or want more information, please visit my website, roberts.senate.gov.