Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. As a supporter of research and awareness, Senator Roberts signed the "Congressional Cancer Promise" recently while meeting with 32 Kansans who traveled to Washington, DC to promote cancer research, funding and awareness. This group from Kansas was part of the Cancer Action Network and the American Cancer Society. These Kansans came to Roberts’ office sharing personal stories of how cancer has affected their lives and families. They discussed legislation, investing more federal dollars for cancer research and programs, especially the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection program.

Senator Roberts once more took to the Senate floor regarding the serious drought hurting Kansas producers and farmers and called for the Senate to approve critical Emergency Disaster Assistance legislation. This legislation, introduced by Sen. Kent Conrad (D-ND), provides disaster assistance to producers who suffer crop and livestock loss in 2005-2006 from weather related natural disasters. "If you have a hurricane, you get in the headlines," Senator Roberts said. "When you have that kind of tragedy, obviously it attracts attention. Those of us in farm country know that we have had a drought for five, six or even seven years in parts of Kansas. Something has to be done - we need this relief now."

The Senate approved legislation Senator Pat Roberts and Senator Sam Brownback introduced to designate 29 counties in Eastern Kansas a National Heritage Area, to showcase the importance of the region’s contributions to the struggle for equality in the nation. The Senate passed S. 203, the Freedom’s Frontier National Heritage Area to document, preserve and celebrate Kansas’ significant role in the political struggle, known as Bleeding Kansas, that led to the Civil War and other historic struggles that took place in the state. "Though far from the main campaigns, Bleeding Kansas became a prominent symbol in the fight for freedom of all people, and this legislation will help to conserve and celebrate heritage in our state," Senator Roberts said.

A few weeks ago, Senator Roberts visited with University of Kansas (KU) Chancellor Bob Hemenway to catch up on all the events, research and education happenings at KU. The Chancellor came to Washington to visit with the Kansas delegation on legislation important to KU. He thanked Senator Roberts for supporting the Abraham Lincoln Study Abroad Program, which establishes fellowships for students to study abroad.

Senator Roberts recently secured $1.3 million for a new Rail Sensor Test Bed Program at KU through the Department of Defense Appropriations process. KU is excited to put this money to good use - the project will support real-time detection, identification and assessment of chemical, biological and nuclear threats to the United States. The University of Kansas is contributing to the development of a rail test bed in Kansas City.

The National Symphony Orchestra has chosen Kansas for its 2007 American Residencies Program. This program was created in 1992 to provide professional quality musical experiences and education programs to communities across the United States that do not currently sustain a fully symphony season. "I am delighted to welcome the National Symphony Orchestra to Kansas," Senator Roberts said. "Our state will enjoy the many concerts, lectures and workshops that the Orchestra will provide." For more information visit, http://www.kennedy-center.org/nso/community/home.html .