[StBernard] Washington Report from Rep. Richard H. Baker

[Westley Annis]

Iraq Supplemental Passes House of Representatives

Today the House passed H.R. 1591, a war funding bill that includes a September, 2008 deadline for withdrawing U.S. combat forces from Iraq, by a vote of 218 to 212. Congressman Baker voted against H.R. 1591, and was disappointed that vital funding for Louisiana was tied to this legislation as a political move to ensure passage, calling it "one of the most cynical bills in years." To read more of his views on this issue, please click here <http://www.baker.house.gov/html/news_item.cfm?id=636> .

$13 Million Approved for Baton Rouge-Area Flood Control Projects

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 2007 work plan contains $13 million for Baton Rouge-area flood control projects championed by Congressman Richard Baker, who serves as Ranking Member of the House water resources subcommittee that oversees the Corps.

The projects in line for funding represent the "big four" of projects in "Project Noah" - Rep. Baker’s $450 million comprehensive plan for flood control and ecosystem restoration in the capital region: the Comite River Diversion Canal, the East Baton Rouge Parish Flood Control Project, Amite River Ecosystem Restoration, and Bayou Manchac Ecosystem Restoration. Click here <http://www.baker.house.gov/html/news_item.cfm?id=637>  for more information about these important projects.

Louisiana Veterans are ‘Lost in the Shuffle’ of the Hospital Debate

On a day that saw the Louisiana legislature approve initial, conditional funding for an LSU-VA health center collaborative, Rep. Baker, a member of the House committee on Veterans Affairs, issued a statement in response to a visit to Louisiana by U.S. Veterans Secretary Jim Nicholson. He noted that in meetings he has had with Louisiana veterans groups over the past few weeks, they have all raised the same concern: that with the assortment of other benefits a collaborative is supposed to bring, and the delays that have come from trying to reach a deal to support those other benefits, the health care needs of Louisiana’s veterans seem to have been lost in the shuffle. Rep. Baker shares that concern. Visit the Congressman's "Top Stories" for the full press release <http://www.baker.house.gov/index.cfm> .

Baker Supports Second Amendment Rights for Washington, D.C., Citizens

As a cosponsor of H.R. 1399, the "District of Columbia Personal Protection Act," Rep. Baker supports the repeal of laws that prohibit the possession of a handgun, and the use of any gun for defense against violent criminals who invade a person’s home in D.C. On March 9, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled that certain gun control laws imposed by the D.C. City Council are unconstitutional (Parker v. District of Columbia). The court agreed with the Supreme Court, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, the Justice Department, the Framers of the Bill of Rights, and constitutional scholars past and present, that the Second Amendment protects a pre-existing right of individuals to bear arms. The court also ruled that individuals have a right to possess handguns. Rep. Baker supports this ruling, and is hopeful it will be upheld on appeal.

Congressman Baker Pushes for Science and Technology Funding

Congressman Baker signed a letter this week in support of the President’s fiscal year 2008 National Science Foundation (NSF) budget request. The letter, addressed to key members of the Appropriations committee, requests support for President Bush’s $6.43 billion priority for science and technology funding, with particular emphasis on science education. Past investments in NSF have contributed greatly to major technological advances in areas and industries that are critical for U.S. economic growth and defense. NSF funding is an important source of funding for our colleges and universities in Louisiana’s Sixth Congressional District, as well as the Laser Interferometer Gravitation Wave Observatory (LIGO) in Livingston, Louisiana, an NSF project in the Greater Baton Rouge area. You can learn more about LIGO by visiting www.ligo-la.caltech.edu <http://www.ligo-la.caltech.edu/> .

House of Representatives Honors WWII Glider Pilots

Many Americans are unaware of the important missions performed by the cadre of U.S. glider pilots during WWII. Glider planes were lightweight aircraft without engines and the pilots were able to fly into enemy areas because the gliders made no noise. The glider pilots completed successful missions across Europe and the Philippines but suffered heavy causalities as a result of this very dangerous work. Their missions included transporting vital troops, supplies and equipment across enemy lines.

H.Con.Res. 42 which honors the heroic service and sacrifice of the 6,500 glider pilots of the United States Army Air Forces during World War II, passed the House of Representatives earlier this week by an overwhelming vote of 421-0. This resolution also urges the American people to remember and teach future generations about the contributions and sacrifices that glider pilots, and all veterans, have made to and for the nation. Click here <http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet_print.asp?fsID=1555&page=1>  to visit the National Museum of the United States Air Force.