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“It is my hope that this resolution increases awareness of the great sacrifices military families make and inspires Americans everywhere to express their appreciation.”
~ Senator Nelson on the passage of the Year of the Military Family Resolution ~
SENATE PASSES "YEAR OF THE MILITARY FAMILY" RESOLUTION
June 4, 2009 – In support of military families nationwide, the Senate Tuesday night passed a resolution sponsored by Nebraska’s Senator Ben Nelson and Senators Carl Levin of Michigan, John McCain of Arizona and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina designating the year 2009 as the Year of the Military Family. In addition, Senator Nelson yesterday led a hearing of the Personnel Subcommittee of the Senate Armed Services Committee on federal support efforts for military families.
“The life of a military family member has never been an easy one, but in our eighth year of war, families are facing more hardships, and it is clear that they play a very significant role in serving our country,” said Senator Nelson, who is chairman of the personnel subcommittee. “It is my hope that this resolution increases awareness of the great sacrifices military families make and inspire Americans everywhere to express their appreciation. But there is still work to do. In today’s hearing we spoke with families about what additional support we can provide during these difficult times.”
Panelists spoke of the challenges facing military families as they undergo redeployment of loved ones, permanent changes of station, and readjust to the return of their loved ones post-combat. In his opening remarks, Senator Nelson discussed areas in which the government can provide additional support for families including timely access to mental health resources and programs, financial counseling, job placement, accessing quality health care, and child care.
“These family members are an integral part of the force, and stress on the force affects the overall readiness of our Armed Forces,” Senator Nelson said at the hearing. “Military families often face unique challenges and difficulties throughout their loved one’s career, including frequent relocations and reassignments to bases across the country and overseas as well as the various demands stemming from continued deployments of members from every service.
“In talking with spouses from my home state of Nebraska, I know how important it is to them that they have base and community support and that they are reached out to once the servicemember is deployed. We in Congress have tried to do our part to help, and have made family support programs and initiatives a priority.”
Yesterday’s hearing included testimony from Kathleen Moakler, Director of Government Relations for the National Military Family Association; Shelia Casey, wife of General George W. Casey, Jr., Chief of Staff of the United States Army; Jennifer A. Mancini, wife of Chief Petty Officer Steven F. Mancini, United States Navy; Patricia Davis, wife of Chief Master Sergeant James E. Davis, the Command Chief Master Sergeant of the 316th Wing at Andrews Air Force Base; Arthur J. Myers, Principal Director and Acting Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Military Community and Family Policy; Ms. Kathleen Marin, Director, Installation Services, Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff for Installation Management, United States Army; Terri J. Rau, Ph.D., Deputy Director for Research and Development and Performance Measurement, Navy Installations Command, United States Navy; Major General Timothy R. Larsen, United States Marine Corps retired, Director, Personal and Family Readiness Division, Manpower and Reserve Affairs Department, United States Marine Corps; and Eliza G. Nesmith, Chief, Airmen and Family Services Division, United States Air Force.
There are more than 1.8 million family members of regular component members of the armed forces; an additional 1.1 million family members of reserve component members. In Nebraska, there are nearly 7,500 families of regular component members of the armed services; more than 7,700 families of reserve component members.
The text of the Senate-passed resolution honoring military families can be found at http://www.thomas.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c111:S.RES.165:
NELSON, JOHANNS URGE FAA TO SUPPORT RURAL AIRPORTS DURING ECONOMIC DOWNTURN
June 2, 2009 -- Working to support rural airports in today’s difficult economic climate, Nebraska Senators Ben Nelson and Mike Johanns sent a letter today to the Federal Aviation Administration calling on the FAA to “utilize all available discretion and funding flexibility to support rural airports.” The economic slowdown could cause multiple Nebraska airports to fall below the threshold required to qualify for $1 million in federal assistance through the Airport Improvement Program in 2009.
“The economic crisis has hit rural airports hard,” said Senator Ben Nelson. “These airports serve as economic engines and transportation hubs for rural communities. I am urging the FAA to continue to support these vital lifelines while passenger levels are expected to dip.”
"The degree to which rural communities rely upon their airports cannot be overstated," Senator Johanns said. "They are an important part of economic development and represent critical infrastructure for farmers, businesses, and families across the state. In general, passenger levels have dropped and rural airports shouldn't be punished for falling below a specific threshold. I strongly advise the FAA to utilize all options to continue the support relied upon by rural airports."
The FAA’s Airport Improvement Program, which provides infrastructure and security funding to rural airports, requires that all airports meet a 10,000 passengers/year threshold before qualifying for $1 million in federal funding. The FAA and Congress worked together to extend AIP funding to airports that dipped below that threshold in 2001 following a similarly steep decline in passengers after the September 11 terrorist attacks. A loss of AIP funding would stall airport improvements in many rural communities.
Senators Nelson and Johanns were joined by Alaska Senators Lisa Murkowski and Mark Begich, who also signed the letter.
The full text of the letter is below:
June 2, 2009
Ms. Catherine M. Lang
Acting Associate Administrator for Airports
Federal Aviation Adminstration
800 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Washington, DC 20591-0004
Dear Ms. Lang:
We write to you today to express concerns we have with the impact our nation’s current economic crisis may have on rural airports.
These rural airports serve as a critical economic engine for many smaller communities by connecting communities to business, providing economic development, and linking to the nation’s transportation system. The Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Airport Improvement Program (AIP) has long served as a vital tool to these airports by providing funding for infrastructure and security improvements.
However, because of the current decline in ridership brought about by our economy’s weakened condition, many rural airports that have shown consistent growth in enplanements will fall short of the 10,000 passenger threshold required to qualify for $1 million in AIP funding this year. The dramatic decline in funds for those who have historically met this benchmark could threaten airport improvements and the national system they support.
As you know, our nation’s airports have been faced with a similar situation before. After the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, airplane ridership significantly decreased, resulting in many rural airports falling short of the 10,000 enplanement threshold, as they may this year. Consequently, Congress and the FAA worked to extend AIP funding for airports that had reached the 10,000 enplanement threshold the previous year.
In order to make sure airport development stays on track, we ask the FAA to utilize all available discretion and funding flexibility to support rural airports. We believe a similar approach to the actions put forth in Vision 100: Century of Aviation Reauthorization Act of 2003 (P.L. 108?176) regarding the adoption of temporary AIP enplanement requirements is once again appropriate.
We look forward to receiving your response and working with you to address this issue.
Sincerely,
E. Benjamin Nelson Mike Johanns
United States Senator United States Senator
Lisa Murkowski Mark Begich
United States Senator United States Senator
NELSON: OVER $2.5 MILLION IN STIMULUS FUNDS FOR NEBRASKA WATER PROJECTS
June 2, 2009 – Today, Nebraska’s Senator Ben Nelson welcomed plans announced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to send more than $2.5 million to Nebraska as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The funds will go to water projects in the Gering Valley and Knox County.
“These funds will help safeguard flood-prone areas of Nebraska while creating jobs,” said Senator Nelson. “In addition, funds for restoring land to its natural state will help our environment and provide economic stimulus to rural Nebraska communities.”
The $2.2 million in funding for Gering Valley is part of USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS) efforts to create jobs in areas most impacted economically by natural disaster. The funds will be used to increase the rate of watershed restoration and reduce the potential harmful impacts of flooding.
The $361,260 in funding for Knox County is part of the USDA-NRCS Emergency Watershed Protection Program which acquires easements on land damaged by recent or repeated flooding and funds conservation work to restore the land to its natural state. Restoring land ensures that it functions properly and reduces the need for long-term federal disaster assistance.
Senator Nelson played a key role in the passage of the $787 billion stimulus bill. He worked with a bipartisan group of nearly 20 Senators to better focus The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act on tax cuts for the middle class and job creation for millions of Americans. Senator Nelson led the group through the initial bill line by line, dollar by dollar, to reduce spending and cut out $108 billion of inefficient or less-stimulative spending. The bipartisan group helped the improved bill win congressional approval. President Obama signed it into law February 17, 2009.
Senator Nelson is posting information about the release of stimulus finds on his website as it becomes available. Visit http://bennelson.senate.gov/issues/stimulus/index.cfm for more information.
Nelson Network Nebraska is interested in reaching more Nebraskans. If you know of a fellow Nebraskan who would be interested in receiving this bulletin, please forward their name, telephone number and email address to us at press@bennelson.senate.gov
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