[StBernard] E-Update From Senator David Vitter

[Westley Annis]

IN THIS ISSUE

PROTECTING THE STARS AND STRIPES
WORKING TO LOWER OIL AND GAS PRICES
RECOGNIZING A LAKE CHARLES FAMILYS SOLDIER
ADVOCATING FOR LOUISIANANS RIGHT TO EXPRESS THEIR FAITH


Over the past two weeks, I have continued working to reduce the rising
gasoline and energy prices that place such a huge burden on so many American
families.  I recently filed legislation to increase our offshore drilling so
we can increase our domestic energy supplies.  I also had the honor of
recognizing a courageous soldier whose parents live in Lake Charles, and I
filed legislation to help prevent the desecration of the American flag.

Below you can read more about these and other issues I am working on in the
U.S. Senate.

 David Vitter 

The Louisiana Congressional Delegation met with Governor Jindal when he
visited Washington, DC, on June 18 to discuss hurricane recovery funding
with members of Congress.  We held a press conference after our meeting to
highlight the importance of this funding to our state.




PROTECTING THE STARS AND STRIPES 

On Saturday, June 14th, we celebrated Flag Day
<http://vitter.senate.gov/?module=PressRoom/VittersView&ID=e6ef2e4f-7b31-4c7
9-8a93-884a4c220d7a> , a day when we commemorate the adoption of our
nation's flag.  First designated by a proclamation issued by President
Woodrow Wilson in 1916, Flag Day was officially established by an act of
Congress in 1949.  To prevent the desecration of our flag, I have proposed
an amendment to the Constitution that would enable Congress to prohibit flag
desecration and establish criminal penalties for the act.  A Constitutional
Amendment banning flag desecration will ensure the integrity of our flag -
and reverence for our American traditions and for the men and women who have
fought and died to protect them.  

  


WORKING TO LOWER OIL AND GAS PRICES

President Bush has called for Congress to remove federal drilling moratoria
<http://vitter.senate.gov/?module=pressroom/pressitem&ID=6a92f666-1c28-4a3b-
8b9d-e0a94d8f0142>  that have been in effect since 1981 and cover more than
80 percent of America's Outer Continental Shelf, and I applaud him for
challenging Congress to address this issue that is having such an impact on
American families.  Basic economics says that we must increase our own
domestic energy supply if we want to lower gas prices and free ourselves
from untrustworthy foreign energy sources. I believe that we must empower
each state to decide what is right for its coast and its energy needs.

That's why I introduced the Energy Needed Offshore Under Gas Hikes Act
(ENOUGH), which would trigger increased energy exploration off a state's own
coast once the price of regular gasoline reaches $5 a gallon.  Once the
ENOUGH Act's trigger is reached, it allows a governor, with the concurrence
of the state legislature, to petition for increased energy exploration on
the Outer Continental Shelf.  Not only will this bill help bring about a
reduction in gas prices, it will reduce our dependency on foreign producers,
and will provide revenue sharing for new producing areas.




RECOGNIZING A LAKE CHARLES FAMILYS SOLDIER 

This month I spoke on the U.S. Senate floor in recognition of U.S. Army
Sergeant Eric Moser
<http://vitter.senate.gov/?module=pressroom/pressitem&ID=a78f3c27-591b-4fd6-
8b02-b7359d734378> , the son of Ken and Karen Moser of Lake Charles.  Sgt.
Moser was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross on May 22 for his courage
under fire while serving with the 82nd Airborne Division in Iraq last
August, making him one of only nine soldiers to have received this award
since 2001. 

During a firefight in Samarra, Iraq, Sgt. Moser and another paratrooper
fought off a group of terrorists estimated to number more than 40, and
risked their own lives to protect the bodies of two of their fallen
comrades.  Sgt. Moser and his team member survived the attack.  I know he
would be hesitant to acknowledge himself as a hero, and he does not need to
do so because his actions certainly distinguished him as such.  I know how
proud Sergeant Moser's parents are of him, and all of Louisiana shares in
their pride. 

 

ADVOCATING FOR LOUISIANANS RIGHT TO EXPRESS THEIR FAITH

I heard from many in Louisiana who shared my disappointment about the recent
news reports stating that U.S. District Judge Stanwood Duval Jr. had drafted
a ruling against the Tangipahoa Parish School Board
<http://vitter.senate.gov/?module=pressroom/pressitem&ID=8136e8f4-fc55-4e2b-
9de2-ebca81e1aac9>  in their court case against the American Civil Liberties
Union, who had sued to prevent the school board from opening their meetings
with a prayer.  The First Amendment protects the freedom of religion, not
freedom from religion and our constitutional fathers didn't intend to
prohibit all mention of God or expression of religion.

Last year, I introduced a U.S. Senate resolution that reaffirms that
voluntary prayer by an elected body should be protected under law.  The
resolution also reaffirms that the Supreme Court was right when it said that
courts cannot single out and punish religious speech simply because it is
religious.  The U.S. Senate opens every day with a prayer, as does the U.S.
House of Representatives and state legislatures across the country.  School
boards should not be treated any differently.