Real Estate Information Archive

This Week in Congress

By Congressman Jerry Moran

October 27, 2008

www.jerrymoran.house.gov

Dear Friend,

            Welcome to “This Week in Congress.” Congress is out of session which has allowed me to travel extensively across Kansas this past week. I hope you find this newsletter useful.

Presenting Medals to WWII POW Boyd Fox

            I joined family and friends of World War II veteran Boyd Fox this week and along with the Plains Elementary students and faculty, we held a presentation honoring him for his service. Mr. Fox served our country in World War II and was a prisoner of war for five months after he and his crew were forced to bail out of their plane following a successful mission. Mr. Fox had never formally received the military medals recognizing his service and capture.

            My office was able to successfully track down the deserved medals, after being contacted by Mr. Fox’s daughter, Lana Miller.

            I joined Mr. Fox’s wife, Margaret, in presenting him with the Good Conduct Medal, the Air Medal, the European/African/Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, the WWII Victory Medal, the American Campaign Medal, the Prisoner of War Medal and an Honorable Service Lapel Button.

            I am proud of the service Mr. Fox gave to our country and was honored to have the opportunity to present him with his medals. The 5th grade class sang, “America,” to honor Mr. Fox and the local Daughters of the American Revolution presented him with a certificate. Thank you to Principal Kyle Griffiths for hosting the event and for making it a priority that Plains Elementary students learn the sacrifices of our military. Click here to view photos from the event.

This Week in Congress

By Congressman Jerry Moran

November 17, 2008

www.jerrymoran.house.gov

Dear Friend,

            Welcome to “This Week in Congress.” I will be returning to Washington, D.C. this week as Members of the House of Representatives have been called to reassemble for session. I hope you find this newsletter useful.

Veterans’ Travel Reimbursement Increases Today

            Veterans driving to and from Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facilities will see an increase in their mileage reimbursement rate effective Monday, November 17. The rate is increased from 28.5 cents to 41.5 cents per mile.

            I have worked on this issue since first coming to Congress to assist Kansas veterans who must often travel long distances to the nearest VA medical clinic or hospital. Especially for veterans in rural areas, today's high gas prices have made it difficult for them to afford the trip to the doctor. Last year, I offered a successful amendment that increased the mileage rate for the first time in more than 30 years. I was pleased that the VA spending bill Congress approved this year included this additional increase supporting our veterans.

BAGDAD PRAYER PATROL

NOVEMBER 15, 2008

Prayer Patrol State of the Union report:


As a member of the Prayer Patrol I wanted you to be informed about our current state of affairs.

First, I want to say thank you so much for joining with us in prayer and being part of this history changing effort.


-See this chart-

Second, I want to invite you to support Prayer Patrol financially so we can expand our effort.

Where are we today?
-Posted more than 20,000 prayers
-U.S. casualty rate dropping each month
-Oct 2008 NO U.S. Casualties in Baghdad!


We currently have almost 9000 members of the Patrol and less than 50 who support this effort monthly.

I know these are tough times for a lot of us, and I am not wanting to burden anyone, or to make anyone feel bad if they can't support the work. We are very happy to provide the BPP free to anyone who wants to be a part.

I simply want to invite you to participate in supporting us. If you believe in the value of the BPP and would like to see us expand it into other areas of the world, then please, do whatever God puts on your heart. You will find info on giving to this effort online at http://giving.prayercentral.net
or you can send your check to Prayercentral PO Box 64323 Virginia Beach, VA 23467

It's been over a year since we sent out this type of reminder, so if you're new to the BPP please know that we are not heavy on the fund raising.

Thank you very much.

What's Coming up?
What if we could take the success of the BPP and multiply it out?
-Prodigal Prayer Patrol
-Afghan PP
-Jerusalem PP
-Wash. D.C. PP
-Your Neighborhood PP
-Your Child's School PP
-Your Family PP
-Your Platoon PP
-Your Business PP
-Etc.

What if You could?
-Meet other intercessors online for encouragement and prayer?
-Find other intercessors who share your prayer burden?
-Share your revelation and mentor other intercessors?

We are working very hard on the Global Prayer Patrol which will provide these features and much more. Please be praying for this development. What has worked in Baghdad can work all over the world, and we can see God transform lives, families, communities, schools, etc.

For those who aren't aware, My wife and I are missionaries to North India, living in Delhi. We run this and other web sites in the Prayercentral.net family as a service to the Body of Christ worldwide. Your contribution is tax-deductible and will enable us to continue to serve others. Thank you very much.

Looking forward to Patrolling the World with you.
Wayne Dillard,
Baghdad Prayer Patrol
PS- I am still traveling, so please be patient if you send me a note, you may have to wait until I return to Delhi.

www.prayercentral.net/baghdad

The opportunity for an up-close look at the Kansas Flint Hills and the tallgrass prairie will come when Kansas State University's Konza Prairie Biological Station holds its biennial Visitors' Day, Saturday, Sept. 27.

The Konza Prairie Biological Station is a preeminent center for grassland research. The 8,600-acre native tallgrass prairie preserve is dedicated to a three-fold mission of long-term ecological research, education and prairie conservation.

For Visitors' Day, the Konza will open its gates from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., offering guided access to its restricted areas and giving everyone the opportunity to see the bison herd or hike the trail system. Visitors also will see live animal displays and research exhibits at the station headquarters, while learning about tallgrass prairie conservation and management. Konza Prairie researchers, docents and staff will provide information about research being conducted at the Konza, history of the site, Flint Hills geology, tallgrass prairie flora and fauna, and other natural history.

Other activities to be offered include driving tours of the bison enclosure, hay wagon rides, tours of the Hokanson homestead along Kings Creek and guided hikes. Special activities for youth will be at the Hulbert Education Center in the lower level of the ranch house.

"There's something for the whole family," said Valerie Wright, environmental educator for the Konza Prairie. "Kids can become a junior ecologist by completing some fun activities or collect grasshoppers for the hopper display."

The Friends of the Konza Prairie will be on hand to offer Konza Prairie T-shirts, hats, posters, mugs and other items for sale. The Nature Conservancy will host an information booth and offer book sales.

The Konza Prairie Biological Station is owned by The Nature Conservancy and K-State, and is operated as a field research station by the K-State Division of Biology. Konza Prairie is six miles south of Manhattan along McDowell Creek Road. To get to the station headquarters, take Konza Lane past the nature trail kiosk. The headquarters is located around the corner to the right.

While most of the Konza is closed to visitors the rest of the year, a six-mile series of nature trail loops is open to the public year round from dawn to dusk. For more information, contact Wright, at 785-587-0381 or konzaed@k-state.edu. More information on the Konza also is available online at http://www.k-state.edu/konza/keep/visit/visitors.htm

This Week in Congress

By Congressman Jerry Moran

July 21, 2008

www.jerrymoran.house.gov

Dear Friend,

             Welcome to “This Week in Congress.” I hope you find this newsletter useful.

Committee Approves Bill to Improve Access to Care for Rural Veterans

            This week, the House Committee on Veterans Affairs approved legislation I introduced last year to provide more health care options for veterans living in rural areas when Veterans Affairs (VA) care is not available nearby. Despite best efforts, the reality is that some veterans live in remote areas beyond the VA’s ability to construct medical facilities to care for them. These veterans are either forced to travel long distances for the care they need or forego care altogether. We need to expand the options available to them.

            The Rural Veterans Access to Care Act establishes a three year pilot program in several regions across the country to allow those veterans living furthest from VA health facilities to get care closer to home through a local physician or hospital. To qualify, a veteran must live at least 60 miles from a VA clinic, 120 miles from a VA hospital or 240 miles from a VA specialized care facility when seeking that care. Many Kansas veterans living in the central and western parts of our state will be part of this demonstration project. This legislation is particularly beneficial for elderly Kansas veterans who often have difficulty making the long trip to the VA and for members of the Kansas Guard and Reserve who often live in rural parts of our state. This legislation now goes to the full House of Representatives for consideration.

Congress Overrides President’s Veto to Delay Physician Cuts

            Congress prevented scheduled reductions in Medicare payments this week by voting to override the President’s veto of the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act. This legislation will delay cuts in Medicare payments for 18 months and includes important provisions that require community pharmacists to be reimbursed in a timely manner. Among other things, the bill also delays the implementation of the Average Manufacturing Price payment system, which would reimburse pharmacists for less than what it costs to fill Medicaid prescriptions. I voted for this legislation in June and voted for it again this week. Had this bill not become law, Kansans would have suffered and many would have been unable to get the care and medicine they need. Click here to view my remarks on the House floor.

Working to Provide Additional Feed Options for Kansas Ranchers

            I introduced legislation this week to override the recent court order that halted Critical Feed Use of Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres authorized by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The court order removed a needed feed option and has caused frustration for Kansas producers.

            On May 27, USDA announced more than 24 million acres of CRP land were eligible for Critical Feed Use to help alleviate the high price of livestock feed. This decision was welcomed by ranchers and many immediately began making stocking decisions. These producers expended time and money to fence and prepare CRP acres for grazing and haying. More than a month after ranchers began taking these steps, a judge issued a temporary restraining order stopping all Critical Feed Use activity.

            The order to stop Critical Feed Use has severely impacted Kansas livestock producers. During this time of high feed prices, ranchers do not need one more thing to worry about. As a member of the House Agriculture Committee, I will continue working with USDA officials and Members of Congress to resolve this issue.

Recognizing Special Olympics for 40 Years of Empowering Individuals

            I recognized Special Olympics this week in the House of Representatives on the occasion of its 40th anniversary. Since 1968, Special Olympics has empowered individuals with disabilities and given them confidence to face challenges in their daily lives. Special Olympics is a worldwide organization that provides sports training and athletic competition to more than 2.5 million people with intellectual disabilities. Through Special Olympics, athletes develop improved physical fitness and motor skills, greater self confidence and a more positive self image.

            Since 2007, I have served as the Honorary Chairman for the Kansas Law Enforcement Torch Run. Kansas Law Enforcement officers cover hundreds of miles in the Torch Run throughout the state each year and raise thousands of dollars in support of Special Olympics Kansas programs. Last month, I joined Special Olympics Kansas athletes, fans, volunteers and families in Wichita for the opening ceremony of the 2008 Summer Games. Click here to read my speech and click here to view photos from the opening ceremony of the 2008 Summer Games in Wichita.

Learning about Progress of Trade Talks

            I met with United States Trade Representative Susan Schwab this week to discuss the progress of the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) Doha Round of Trade Negotiations. The Doha Round is in its seventh year of negotiations. As our country’s chief trade negotiator, Ambassador Schwab is working to create new export opportunities for American agriculture, manufactured goods and services. Officials will meet over the course of the next several days in Switzerland to continue negotiations.

Agriculture Subcommittee Reviews Food Aid Delivery and Development Assistance

            This week, I joined the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Specialty Crops, Rural Development and Foreign Agriculture to review food aid and agricultural development programs. The recent increased attention on agriculture, food prices and feeding the hungry has opened the door for discussions about making sure investments by the United States go to proven development tools. For too long our country has been trying to put band aids on the world’s problems with repeated food assistance. It is time we take a long-term look at the cause of food insecurity in places such as Sub-Saharan Africa where crop yields are only 40 percent of that of the rest of the world’s developing countries. While emergency food aid is important in response to disasters, food aid itself never cures the underlying problems facing developing countries.

Visiting Kansas Communities

            Hoisington: I was in Hoisington this week to meet with community business leaders and Chamber of Commerce Director Stacey Bressler. I visited the new offices for USD 431, Clara Barton Hospital and Superior Essex, a company that designs and manufactures wire and cable products, with Stacey and Chamber Board of Directors President Karen Van Brimmer. Thanks to Board of Education Clerk Bonnie Smith, School Board President Don Reif and School Board Vice President Dean Stoskopf for the tour of the school district’s new office. I also enjoyed visiting with Hospital Administrator Chuck Waters and Superior Essex Plant Manager Brent Rensch and Jennifer Lagerman. At Superior Essex, we talked about how high gas prices are making it difficult to attract workers from other communities.

            Hays: On Friday evening, I stopped by the Ellis County Fair in Hays to view exhibits and visit with folks from the area. I enjoy this time of year and visiting county fairs throughout the state to see the various projects and entries of both young and old alike. County fairs bring families together and are a great way to highlight our Kansas communities.

            Trego: On Saturday morning, I participated in the Trego County Fair parade in WaKeeneey. The fair began July 16 and goes through Thursday. I enjoyed visiting with many Kansans that were out for the fair activities. Thanks to Vic Kinderknecht for driving me in the parade.

Mourning the Loss of Danny Biggs of Great Bend

            On Friday, I attended the funeral service for Danny Biggs of Great Bend. Danny was involved in the oil and gas industry and was a pillar of the Great Bend community. He was a dear friend to me and many others who had the privilege of knowing and working with him. I will miss his friendship and know he will be greatly missed by his friends and family and the community he loved so much. My thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Darlene, and the rest of their family.

In the Office

            Brenda Morgan of Concordia was in with FFA to talk about how knowledge of agriculture leads to a well-rounded education. Gary Du and Jiang Hu of Overland Park, Linda Wang of Lenexa and Melody Griffin of Olathe were in to tell me about human rights abuses and the mistreatment of Falun Gong members. Vic and Kay Streufert of Lindsborg were in with DC RESULTS to discuss how lowering the earned income tax credit could benefit many low income families.

            Karl Weissenbach of Abilene was in with the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum to provide an update on the proposed Eisenhower Memorial in Washington, D.C. Ernie Kutzley and Bob Harvey of Topeka were in with AARP to discuss the importance of passing legislation to improve the Medicare program and maintain access to physicians. Barbara Williams of Olathe was in with the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards to discuss the certification process and the impact it has on the quality of teaching and learning for students.

            Jay Allbaugh and Kimberly Edmunds of Wichita were in with Cox Communications to tell me about the cable industry’s efforts to inform Kansans of the digital television transition. Bob Henry of Robinson, Lance Rezac of Onaga, Craig Gistad of Winchester and Dennis Hupe of Perry were in with the Kansas Soybean Association to discuss their legislative priorities. Dr. Dan Sweeney of Parsons and Dr. Gary Pierzynski of Manhattan were in with the Soil Society of America to talk about the importance of continued funding and support for soil science research in Kansas and across the nation.

            Ken McCauley of White Cloud, Brian Baalman of Menlo, Greg and Angela Stone of Garden City, Bob Timmons of Fredonia, Charles Foltz and Jere White of Garnett, Sue Schulte of Princeton, Shainya Timmons of Fredonia and Karly Schulte of Ottawa were in with the National Corn Growers Association to discuss implementation of the farm bill and the Renewable Fuel Standard. Stan Stark of Haviland was in with Land O’Lakes to talk about the cooperative’s presence in Kansas, implementation of the farm bill and potential changes to the Clean Water Act.

            Several Kansans were in to take a tour of the U.S. Capitol building this week, including Merlene Baird of Larned, Paul Popelka of Munden, and Ed and Marjory Johnson of Hutchinson. Also in for a tour were Daniel, Gina, Lee and Emily Janes of Hannibal; James, Darci, James, Lake and Brett Lyman of Ellinwood; Jude, Heather, Katia and Micah Matter of Jewell; Patrick, Pat and Katy Colloton of Leawood; and Pat, David, Kimberly and Christopher Cummings of Meade. In from Hays were Doug, Kim, Abby and Mark Schneweis and Todd, Alicia, Zachary, Madeleine and Ethan Brungardt.

Contact Me

            It is an honor to serve you in Washington, D.C. Please let me know how I can be of assistance. To send me an email, click here. You can also click here to contact me through one of my Kansas offices or my Washington, D.C., office.

Very truly yours,

Jerry

Chapman was hit by severe storms and a tornado in early June. Junction City, Ft. Riley and many surrounding communities have assisted in the clean up and restoration efforts.

Now the President has granted Disaster Relief. See the notes below from our representative.

 This Week in Congress

Pressing Air Force Officials to Rebid Tanker Contract

 By Representative Jerry Moran

            After upholding Boeing’s protest last week of the Air Force’s decision to award the aerial refueling tanker contract to Northrop Grumman and Europe’s EADS, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) said Wednesday that Boeing would have likely won the bid had significant errors not been made. The findings of the GAO report are disturbing. It is critical the Air Force start this competition over and work to make it right.

            Together with other Members of Congress, I asked the Air Force Acting Secretary to take into account all of the GAO findings and re-open a fair competition in a manner that corrects the significant errors identified by the GAO. According to the GAO report, the Air Force failed to judge the competitive bids based on the Air Force’s own evaluation criteria, made significant mistakes in considering the life cycle costs of each of the two aircraft and “conducted misleading and unequal discussions with Boeing.” I also joined Congressman Todd Tiahrt this week in introducing legislation that directs the Department of Defense to begin a new competition on the tanker contract if the Air Force fails to award the contract to Boeing. The legislation calls on the Department of Defense to take into account national security, industrial base concerns and foreign subsidies in the new competition.

            Click here to view my remarks after the GAO upheld Boeing’s protest.

Kansans remain frustrated by the high cost of energy, including gasoline, and the lack of progress toward finding solutions.

This Week in Congress

By Congressman Jerry Moran

June 30, 2008

www.jerrymoran.house.gov

Dear Friend,

            Welcome to “This Week in Congress.” Kansans remain frustrated by the high cost of energy, including gasoline, and the lack of progress toward finding solutions. Like Kansans, I am bothered by the partisan politics that prevent Congress from finding solutions to these critical problems. Click here to read about efforts I support to reduce the cost of energy and click here to vote in my online poll. I hope you find this newsletter useful.

House Passes Fixes for Pharmacies, Medical Providers

            I supported House passage of legislation this week to improve Medicare regulations for patients and health care providers. The Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act includes several important fixes for health care providers in Kansas. As a founder of the Congressional Community Pharmacy Caucus, I am especially pleased with the provisions of this bill that help community pharmacists. The legislation requires pharmacies to be reimbursed in a timely manner for prescriptions already dispensed to patients. The bill also delays the implementation of the Average Manufacturing Price payment system, which would reimburse pharmacists for less than what it costs to fill Medicaid prescriptions. In addition, the bill suspends the current bidding program for Durable Medical Equipment. The current program could compromise Kansans’ access to equipment and create more overhead costs for equipment providers.

            It also suspends for 18 months a reduction in Medicare payments to physicians, establishes new grants for mental health services to Iraq war veterans in rural areas and begins a demonstration program for integrating care in rural communities. These changes will help keep health care professionals on a level playing field whether they are serving patients in rural or urban areas. It will also help keep the doors open to local hospitals, doctor’s offices and pharmacies. The Senate now needs to quickly pass this bill.

Disaster Declaration Requested for Chapman, Manhattan and Other Communities

            On Thursday, Governor Sebelius formally asked the federal government to provide disaster assistance to 49 Kansas counties that suffered damage from severe storms and tornadoes beginning May 22 and ending June 16. I have urged President Bush to quickly approve the assistance so that public buildings and infrastructure can be repaired.

            The day after tornadoes and strong storms rolled through central and northeast Kansas, I visited Chapman and Manhattan to view the damage. I returned to Chapman the following day to encourage residents. The destruction was great in these two communities, but many other Kansas towns have also suffered. The request for federal assistance is welcome news to Kansans that live in these storm-damaged communities.

            The request asks for assistance for the following counties: Barber, Bourbon, Butler, Brown, Chautauqua, Cherokee, Clark, Clay, Comanche, Cowley, Crawford, Decatur, Dickinson, Edwards, Ellis, Franklin, Gove, Graham, Harper, Hodgeman, Jackson, Jewell, Kiowa, Lincoln, Linn, Logan, Meade, Mitchell, Montgomery, Morris, Ness, Norton, Osborne, Pawnee, Phillips, Pratt, Republic, Riley, Rooks, Rush, Saline, Seward, Sheridan, Smith, Stafford, Sumner, Thomas, Trego and Wallace.

Pressing Air Force Officials to Rebid Tanker Contract

            After upholding Boeing’s protest last week of the Air Force’s decision to award the aerial refueling tanker contract to Northrop Grumman and Europe’s EADS, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) said Wednesday that Boeing would have likely won the bid had significant errors not been made. The findings of the GAO report are disturbing. It is critical the Air Force start this competition over and work to make it right.

            Together with other Members of Congress, I asked the Air Force Acting Secretary to take into account all of the GAO findings and re-open a fair competition in a manner that corrects the significant errors identified by the GAO. According to the GAO report, the Air Force failed to judge the competitive bids based on the Air Force’s own evaluation criteria, made significant mistakes in considering the life cycle costs of each of the two aircraft and “conducted misleading and unequal discussions with Boeing.” I also joined Congressman Todd Tiahrt this week in introducing legislation that directs the Department of Defense to begin a new competition on the tanker contract if the Air Force fails to award the contract to Boeing. The legislation calls on the Department of Defense to take into account national security, industrial base concerns and foreign subsidies in the new competition.

            Click here to view my remarks after the GAO upheld Boeing’s protest.

Supporting the Americans with Disabilities Act Restoration Act

            This week, I supported House passage of legislation that will ensure the right for all people to be evaluated on their job performance. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Restoration Act restores the law to Congress’ original intent by harmonizing the ADA with other civil rights laws and requiring the courts to interpret the law fairly. Overly broad court interpretations have weakened the law by allowing employers to say a person is “too disabled” to do the job but not “disabled enough” to be protected by the law. The ADA Restoration Act will correct this problem.

            I spoke on the House floor about the need for these reforms and was able to share the thoughts expressed by former Senator Bob Dole, a true disability rights advocate, on the passage of the original ADA in 1990. Click here to view my comments in support of this bill.

Emergency Grazing of CRP Acres Approved for Kansas Counties

            Producers in eight Kansas counties received good news this week when the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) approved a request for emergency grazing of Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres. Producers in Grant, Hamilton, Haskell, Morton, Sherman, Stanton, Stevens and Wallace Counties are now eligible to begin sign-up for emergency grazing of CRP acres. Producers in these Kansas counties are enduring months of drought. Allowing producers to graze CRP acres will help them maintain their herds during this time of extreme conditions.

            Emergency grazing is allowed through September 30, 2008. All livestock must be removed by the end of the grazing period. According to the Kansas Farm Service Agency (FSA), producers must not graze at least 25 percent of each field or contiguous CRP fields or graze no more than 75 percent of the stocking rate. Producers participating in the emergency grazing will also face a 25 percent reduction in the annual rental payment for the grazed acres. Producers should visit their local FSA office for information about the restrictions on use and to begin the sign-up process.

Celebrating the University of Kansas School of Pharmacy Expansion

            I was in Wichita on Monday to participate in the ceremonial signing of state legislation that will allocate $20 million in bonds plus an additional $39 million for the expansion of the University of Kansas School of Pharmacy. The funding will also allow the School of Pharmacy to conduct more pharmaceutical research. With the expansion of the school, nearly 200 more students will be able to enter the pharmacy program at the KU School of Medicine-Wichita and at a new building on the main campus in Lawrence. At a time when pharmacists are struggling to keep their doors open, the pharmacy expansion is a ray of hope for the profession and our state.

            KU has a strong record for retaining graduates within our state. Sixty-three percent of KU Pharmacy graduates live and work in Kansas. Increasing the educational capacity will give more students an opportunity to learn and will also help address the pharmacist shortage in Kansas. I would like to commend the leadership and faculty at KU and the Kansas State Legislature for having the foresight to invest in such a worthwhile project. Being with KU officials also allowed me the opportunity to encourage additional enrollments within the School of Medicine in order to better help Kansans meet the need for physicians, especially primary care doctors.

            Before attending the ceremony, I attended a meeting of the Downtown Rotary Club in Wichita. It was good to join fellow Rotarians for a discussion of current issues.

Testifying about Unique Health Care Challenges in Rural America

            I had the opportunity again this week to testify before a congressional subcommittee about the unique challenges Kansans face in getting the health care they need. It is important for Congress to understand the circumstances of rural health care delivery as we look at ways to improve health care across the country. An aging population, the lack of public transportation and the difficulty of recruiting new emergency medical service volunteers all present special challenges that health care reform must address. Click here to view my remarks before the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health.

Agriculture Committee Holds Hearing on Oil Markets

            I participated in an Agriculture Committee hearing on Tuesday about energy markets. Many Americans are concerned that speculation in energy futures markets is driving up the cost of oil. The Agriculture Committee has jurisdiction over the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), which is responsible for preventing fraud and manipulation. Later in the week, the House passed legislation strengthening CFTC’s authority in its oversight of trading in the oil futures market.

In the Office

            Steve Johnson of Overland Park was in with ONEOK Partners, Inc. to discuss challenges facing natural gas businesses. Julie Hirons and John Rakos of Overland Park were in with Advantage Metals Recycling to tell me about the recycling industry in Kansas. Haley Davee of Hays was in with the Kansas Credit Union Association to update me on legislation important to credit unions in our state. Robert Cerda of Olathe was in with Crop Insurance Systems, Inc. to update me on his firm’s development of a new crop insurance administration product.

            Judi O’Grady of Eudora and Cathryn Hamilton of Overland Park were in with CureSearch to talk about the need to fund childhood cancer research. CEO of Mercy Regional Health Center Dick Allen of Manhattan and Matt Hickam with Kensinger and Associates of Topeka were in to discuss health care issues and express concern over reimbursement rates for the Tri-Care program. Reed Martin of Leawood was in with Nueterra to explain the need for quality outpatient health care facilities.

            Sue Boldra of Hays, John Ross of Pleasant Ridge, Bill Wilson of Tribune and Diane Becker of Lenora were in with the Center for Civic Education to bring me up to date on programs in the state and share success stories from Kansas students and schools. Philip Bradley and Tammy Davis of Lawrence were in with the Kansas Licensed Beverage Association to discuss efforts to prevent underage drinking. Spencer Boone of Timken was in with the National Young Leaders Conference to tell me about his experience in our nation’s capital. Ken McCauley of White Cloud also stopped by to visit.

            Several Kansans stopped by my Washington, D.C., office for tours of the United States Capitol this week, including Alan and Trevor MacDonald of Olathe, Glenn Seaver and Lori Davenport of Topeka, Kent and Lisa Colwell of Hays and Floyd and Mildred Colwell of Nebraska. Ciera Nelson of Little River, the winner of the Congressional Art Competition for my district, was in with her father David and sister Amara. They were joined by Little River High School art teacher Beth Myers. In from Hays were Lyle Lohrmeyer and Janet Affentranger with their children Jordan and Tessa and in from Leavenworth were David and Tammy Warren with their children Morgan and Zach.

Contact Me

            It is an honor to serve you in Washington, D.C. Please let me know how I can be of assistance. To send me an email, click here. You can also click here to contact me through one of my Kansas offices or my Washington, D.C., office.

Very truly yours,

Jerry

According to the Kansas Association of Realtors, Kansas ranks 27th in the nation for foreclosures. This is their report.

KANSAS FORECLOSURE NUMBERS