Hello,

I’m pleased to bring you an update on what I’ve been working on recently and what it means for Kansans:

Osama bin Laden

The big news of the week came as President Obama announced our military forces had killed Osama bin Laden, the murderous mastermind of September 11. As former chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, I want to congratulate our military personnel and intelligence community. They deserve our gratitude for their tireless efforts to never stop looking for bin Laden. They put their lives on the line for our country every day, and all Americans can be proud of their commitment and dedication.

We will probably never be able to personally thank all who were responsible for ending the reign of terror of bin Laden, but we can celebrate their success and offer our appreciation for the work they do every day to keep America safe.

But, this is not over yet. Yes, our forces have successfully taken out Al Qaeda’s figurehead, but the threat still lingers with potent and important leaders in the organization who will pledge to carry out bin Laden’s legacy. So, we must remain vigilant. You can click here to watch to my remarks.

Agroterrorism Speech in Kansas City

I was in Kansas during our April congressional work period to speak to the Kansas City Division of the FBI and the Heart of America Joint Terrorism Task Force’s International Symposium on Agroterrorism. It was a good crowd, with more than one-thousand in attendance. The symposium’s focus was to bring together public and private sectors to identify and thwart domestic and global terrorism threats to the world's food supply.

I have spent a great deal of my career focusing on the critical subject of agroterrorism. Having the privilege of serving as a senator from our great state of Kansas and serving in the United States Marine Corps, I have naturally found myself focused on both agriculture and national security. In many respects, I consider this issue a priority commitment.

As the Ranking Republican on the Senate Agriculture Committee, once Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, and former member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, keeping our federal agencies focused and sharing information on the current and future threats to our food supply has been an urgent and continuing priority.

Making the Tax Code Fair

At a Senate Finance Committee hearing this week, I raised concerns over who pays taxes and whether the tax code is fair to hard-working American taxpayers.

The answer to our country’s fiscal spending binge is not for taxpayers to foot even more of the bill, especially when more than half of all American households in 2009 paid no income taxes at all. So, we ask ourselves what the purpose of the tax code is: to raise revenue, to support the government, or do we see it as a major mechanism for wealth redistribution?

Our nation is filled with hard-working and capable people who deserve to succeed in all their endeavors and who, furthermore, deserve to have a fair and simple tax system that helps them accomplish these things. I have long supported efforts to make the tax code simpler and fairer for all taxpayers. At this point in time, all options for reform must be put on the table for consideration and debate.

You can click here to watch my questions at the hearing.

Fourth Anniversary of Greensburg Tornado - May 4

It’s hard to believe that it has been four years since the devastating tornado struck Greensburg. We think of our friends in the south who are just experiencing the loss, pain and shock of such devastation, and it brings back the memories of that day for us. But at the same time, I believe we can offer hope to the survivors in Alabama, Mississippi and the other affected states. Greensburg today is stronger, better, and greener. The community banded together, worked in partnership and rebuilt their lives. I pray for all those who were lost – and commemorate how far we have come. Kansas can be proud that Greensburg is a national model for recovery.

Visits from Kansans

I’ve visited with a number of Kansans this week, both in Kansas and in my office in Washington, D.C., and I wanted to share some of their photos with you. I always appreciate those who stop by my office, or who are willing to have me visit theirs. Please enjoy these photos:

The winners of the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, Jeffrey Hanson from Overland Park and Marleah Mullen from Wichita;

Jeff Boerger and Pat Warren at the Kansas Speedway;

Members of the Kansas Electric Cooperative;

and Paxson St. Clair from Cobalt Boats in Neodesha, Kansas.

Thank you for the honor of meeting with all of you! Please know my door is always open to my fellow Kansans.

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.