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

[Westley Annis]

October 12, 2007

Thank you for signing up for Congressman Baker’s newsletter. Below are issue updates that you may find interesting. As always, please visit his website at http://www.baker.house.gov <http://www.baker.house.gov/>  for the most up-to-date news and information on what Congressman Baker is working on in the Sixth Congressional District of Louisiana.

Architect of Capitol Reverses ‘God" Decision

Last week, it was reported that the Architect of the Capitol, Stephen Ayers, was censoring the word "God" from Congressional flag dedication certificates. Flying flags over the Capitol is one of the services Members of Congress offer to their constituents, allowing personal messages to appear on the dedication certificate. However, the Architect decided to exclude religious references to "God" on the certificates. Upon learning this, Congressman Baker signed a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, demanding the reversal of this policy which censors our citizens’ right to expressions of their faith in God.

Congressman Baker also coauthored legislation requiring the Architect of the Capitol to permit the acknowledgement of God on Congressional flag certificates.  These actions had an immediate effect with the Architect of the Capitol acknowledging the rule prohibiting religious references had been inconsistently applied, was inappropriate, and beyond the scope of his responsibility.  

Rep. Baker Urges Chairman of the Veterans Committee to Push Passage of Veterans Appropriations Bill

At a House Veterans Affairs Committee hearing, Rep. Baker expressed his concern over the Democrats’ delay in passing the largest ever Veterans’ appropriations bill. The Military Construction-VA Appropriations bill now awaits conference between the House and Senate. The bill contains unprecedented funding increases for our veterans’ programs and was passed overwhelmingly by both the House and Senate earlier this year. The new fiscal year began on October 1, and until this bill passes Congress, the Veterans Administration must operate under a continuation of last year’s budget, which is significantly less than what is included in the stalled bill. President Bush has said he wants to sign this historic Veterans benefits bill, but can't until the Congress stops delaying and send the bill to the White House.

Rep. Baker Co-Sponsors Bill in Observance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Rep. Baker has become an original co-sponsor of H.Con.Res 230, legislation that promotes awareness of breast cancer. Every three minutes, a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer – the leading cause of death among women between the ages of 45 and 54. However, if detected in the early stages, the breast cancer survival rate is 98.1 percent. It is essential that Congress continue to promote breast cancer awareness, and support efforts to defeat this disease. Rep. Baker continues to be a supporter of increased funding for cancer research, early detection and screening and will fight for these causes in Congress.

Do Not Call List Registrations About to Expire

In 2003 Rep. Baker voted to create the National Do Not Call list to stop the flood of unwanted telemarketing call coming into American homes. Today over 149 million phone numbers are on the Do Not Call list. However, the list is not permanent and after five years the registration must be renewed. If you signed up for the Do Not Call list in 2003 you may wish to renew the registration on your telephone numbers. For more information, visit www.donotcall.gov <http://www.donotcall.gov> . This site also contains important information addressing rumors regarding cell phone numbers.

Delta Regional Authority Grant Announcement

The Delta Regional Authority (DRA) has begun its federal grant program for fiscal year 2008. The areas of emphasis for the grant program are: basic public infrastructure in distressed counties; transportation infrastructure for the purpose of facilitating economic development; business development with an emphasis on entrepreneurship; and, job training with an emphasis on existing public education institutions. Visit the Community Events section of Congressman Baker’s homepage at www.baker.house.gov <http://www.baker.house.gov/>  for more information.

Congressman Baker recently voted in favor of H.R. 3246, the "Regional Economic and Infrastructure Development Act of 2007," which reauthorizes the DRA through 2012. The DRA is chartered to improve life for the residents of 240 counties and parishes in parts of eight states, including Louisiana. Under federal law, at least 75 percent of DRA funds must be invested in economically distressed counties and parishes; half of the funds are used for transportation and basic infrastructure improvements.