June 7, 2013

 

Hello. Last week, during the Memorial Day work period, I spent the time at home listening to you about your priorities and the actions you want Congress to take – or not take -- in the upcoming months. It’s been a busy few weeks in Kansas and Washington. I’m pleased to fill you in on what I’ve been working on and what it means for Kansans.

 

Memorial Day

Unfortunately, the wild weather over the last two weeks forced a rain out of our Memorial Day ceremony at the Penwell-Gabel Cemetery in Topeka this year. Memorial Day is an important moment for reflection each year, as we honor the more than one million American men and women who gave their lives for their country since our nation’s founding. We take the time to stop and thank the more than 23 million living veterans – from the Greatest Generation to the latest generation. And we make special time to reflect on the sacrifices made by the families of those who have served or are serving.

 

While our debt to these heroes can never be re-paid, I am certain that my fellow Kansans would agree that these liberators and defenders of democracy deserve our utmost respect and gratitude. So, while we were disappointed to miss out on the formal Memorial Day Ceremony, I give a heartfelt thank you to all the veterans across our great state and throughout our country. Semper Fi.

 

Honored by Association of Defense Communities

I was honored to receive the news that the Association of Defense Communities will award me with their 2013 Congressional Leadership Award next week. I am especially proud of this award because it recognizes the team work and, yes, perseverance of a lot of people on the re-development of the former Kansas Ammunition Plant at Parsons, Kansas. Ann Charles of the Great Plains Development Authority, Parsons officials, Governor Brownback and others worked hard over the years to develop this property in a way that would benefit the region for generations to come. For more on the effort, visit the Association of Defense Communities article here.

 

Breaking Ground at NBAF’s Central Utility Plant

We took a big step last week toward the final completion of the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) in Manhattan.  On a cloudy day near the K-State campus, I joined Governor Brownback, Senator Moran, Congressman Huelskamp, Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins, Kansas State University President Kirk Schulz, Kansas Legislators, DHS Director of National Labs Jamie Johnson and friends from across Kansas to break ground at the Central Utilities Plant (CUP) for the NBAF.

 

This is the next step we have all been waiting for and the construction of the CUP moves us further down the construction timeline. While this is a significant development, the work must continue to make NBAF a reality and ensure the safety of our food supply. You have my assurances that my colleagues in Congress and I, as well as our team back in Kansas, will continue to work together to monitor each step in the process to ensure NBAF remains a top national security priority.

 

Supporting the ABLE Act

I am always encouraged and enthused when members of the younger generation get involved in the public policy and advocate for issues that matter to them. A few days ago, I had the immense pleasure and true honor of meeting one such inspiring young person, Rachel Mast. Rachel is an incredible, bright and wonderful child with Down syndrome, and I got the chance to speak with her and her mother, Juwanda, about my support for the Achieving a Better Life Experience Act or ABLE Act.

 

I am a proud co-sponsor of the ABLE Act which would allow families like Rachel’s to create tax-free savings accounts for individuals with disabilities. This important bi-partisan legislation would ease financial strains faced by individuals with disabilities by making tax-free savings accounts available to cover qualified expenses such as education, housing and transportation. The bill would supplement, but not supplant, benefits provided through private insurances, the Medicaid program, the supplemental security income program, the beneficiary's employment and other sources.

 

Families with a disabled child face an immense uphill battle, especially in these challenging economic times. The ABLE Act is a bipartisan, bicameral effort to ease that financial burden. I am proud to support it and thrilled to have talked about it with my new friend Rachel.

Meeting with the Overland Park Chamber of Commerce

Overland Park has always been a leading driver of the Kansas economy. Businesses from startups to major international corporations ranging from health care to retail to telecom all call Overland Park home, and are all contributing to the growth and success of this wonderful community. While in Kansas, I was able to spend some time with the Overland Park Chamber of Commerce. We had a comprehensive discussion on the wide-ranging challenges facing businesses in this country as they struggle to get the economy back on its feet. We discussed investments in the nation’s infrastructure, overbearing regulations that are stifling growth across almost every sector, the changes they would like to see in the immigration system, the overly complex, costly and time-consuming tax code that eats away at and their competitiveness, and, of course, the negative impact Obamacare is going to have on jobs, profits, and sustainability.

Hearing directly from the business community is always an educational experience, and I appreciate the opportunity to hear from the good folks at the Overland Park Chamber.

 

Washington Visitors

In addition to my trips back home to Kansas, it is always a treat when Kansans come up to Washington to visit my office.  Here are some of the groups who we able to make it to Washington in the last few weeks.

 

Students from Solomon & Concordia High Schools dropped by for a tour of the Capitol.

I had the honor of meeting with General Funk, the Commanding General at Fort Riley. I look forward to working with him to ensure our men and women in uniform at Fort Riley have the resources they need to fulfill their mission and contribute to our national security.

 

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Kansas City Mayor Mark Holland stopped by to talk about mental health programs.

 

And the Sunflower House came by to discuss the Victims of Child Abuse Act and funding for children's advocacy centers.

 

Tele-Town Hall Meeting with Johnson, Miami and Wyandotte Counties

I want to remind folks that we will continue to hold tele-town hall meetings across the state. This technology is a great way to ask me a question and delve into the issues and concerns on the minds of folks in your area. Be on the lookout for a live, free phone call from me for a Chat with Pat!

 

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.