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| Greetings
from U.S. Senator Ken Salazar Dear fellow Coloradans, The war in Iraq continues to weigh heavily on the mind of every American. This week, I worked with a bipartisan group of Senators to reach consensus on a single resolution expressing opposition to the President’s plan to send an additional 21,500 troops to Iraq. The resolution reflects the will of the American people and sends a clear message from Congress: we need a new direction in Iraq. To boost the economy, I voted with an overwhelming majority in the Senate to give American workers and their employers a pay raise. For the first time in ten years, workers could see an increase in the minimum wage. Coupled with this wage increase was a package of tax credits I helped craft to support small businesses, making it easier to write off improvements to their property and encouraging them to hire disabled veterans. This is a win-win for employers and workers, and I’m pleased to have played a role in this important bill. Also this week, the Bush Administration released its proposal for the upcoming rewrite of the Farm Bill by Congress. I will play a significant role in the drafting of this legislation. The Farm Bill will set the national agriculture policy for the next five years, and the people who understand it the best – farmers, ranchers and those living in our rural communities – should have direct input on this law. To collect public comment, I created a Farm Bill Update Page, http://salazar.senate.gov/farmbill.html, as part of my official Senate website. I encourage you to send me your thoughts and comments on the Farm Bill. Similarly, I recently released the results of my statewide survey of the No Child Left Behind law, which Congress will also rewrite this year. More than 2,000 Colorado educators, school principals, parents, education experts responded with their thoughts and experiences. Their comments provide me with invaluable insight to the past performance and future of the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) law. I have shared their thoughts and suggestions with the chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions and will work to incorporate those ideas in the reauthorization of NCLB. Earlier this year, Congressman Mark Udall and I requested that the Army extend the public comment period on the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Pinon Canyon, and last week the Army granted that request. Landowners and citizens across Colorado have raised questions about the Army’s discussions of expanding Pinon Canyon, and it is right for their comments on this EIS be reviewed and considered. I will continue to fight for any plans the Army may have for Pinon Canyon to be made public and for the voices of Coloradans to be heard. On Thursday, the Finance Committee held a hearing on the State Children’s Health Insurance Program, or SCHIP, which has provided health coverage to millions of children across America. One of its big successes is a Colorado-based program in operation in 21 states: the Nurse Family Partnership. In the hearing, I highlighted the Nurse Family Partnership (NFP), which provides home visits by registered nurses to expectant, low-income mothers, for its success, Recent independent studies have shown NFP to be a win for children, their families and the taxpayers. I hope to include this program as a permanent part of SCHIP. Colorado is getting an extremely harsh dose of winter this year. The combination of snow and bitterly cold temperatures is a sobering reminder that we are all at the mercy of Mother Nature. Please remember to be careful when you are traveling across our beautiful state, and if you are able, offer to assist the senior citizens in your area to clear their sidewalks of snow and ice.
Thanks, and I hope to see you soon. Thank you. Working for Colorado Sen. Salazar joins bipartisan coalition to introduce gang violence legislation Sen. Salazar reacts to State of the Union address Sen.
Salazar hosts receptions for 2007 U.S. Service Academy nominees Salazar opposes troop buildup in Iraq; Allard supports it Salazar, Udall win more time for public comment on Pinon Canyon expansion Salazar hopes war debate will turn Bush policy Salazar asks for online public comment on farm bill VA offers idea for regional cemetery // If state buys land, federal aid follows Educators, parents question No Child Left Behind Salazar gaining experience, clout in Senate What Democrats In The West Can Teach Their Party
Senator Ken Salazar's DC office is located at 702 Hart Senate office building, Washington, DC 20510. He has Colorado regional offices in Denver, Colorado Springs, Fort Collins, Ft. Morgan, Pueblo, Durango, Grand Junction and Alamosa. For contact and mailing info, click here.
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