Greetings from U.S. Senator Ken Salazar

Dear Friends:

I hope you had a joyous Thanksgiving holiday!

As we head towards the end of this year and look forward to next, I would like to hear from you what you think will be the most important issues we will need to tackle in 2008. Whether it is health care, our transportation system or the war in Iraq, please email me and let me know your thoughts.

The last two weeks the United States Senate has been on a work break. I spent much of the last two weeks in Colorado meeting with local officials, speaking at events to highlight some of the ongoing work we are doing in the Senate, while also investigating issues that affect our state. For example, two weeks ago I met with transportation and security officials at Denver International Airport (DIA) to discuss what we can do to ensure that the traveling public enjoys a safer, easier and stress-free commute during the holiday season. Following my meeting, I sent a letter to Michael Chertoff, Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), requesting that he assign more screening officers at DIA, as well as provide whatever assistance may be necessary to investigate recent reports indicating that de-icing contractors at DIA have helped employees cheat on their qualification exams.

Last week, I spoke about the future of U.S. Energy Policy at a luncheon sponsored by the Denver World Affairs Council (DWAC). In my remarks, I underscored the harmful implications of America’s over-dependence on foreign oil, and what steps we must take to improve our energy security so that our people, our economy and our Nation are better protected from the repercussions of oil imported from volatile regions. Please click here to view the full text of my remarks or read an editorial version of it in last Saturday’s Rocky Mountain News.

I also had the opportunity to tour Craig Hospital in Englewood, which is the hub of a nationwide system dedicated to the rehabilitation of patients with spinal cord and traumatic brain injuries (TBI). Earlier this year, I was able to include an amendment in the Labor-HHS Appropriations Act that increases funding for this program by $900,000, which will prevent the closure of 2 key research centers within the system. After my visit, I am all the more convinced that in keeping these centers open we will continue to give hope to the millions of Americans currently suffering from TBI.

As childhood obesity continues to affect more and more children in the United States, it is important that we take the proper steps to control this growing epidemic. Last week, I met with 3rd graders at Valdez Middle School in Denver to highlight how the 2007 Farm Bill will help provide healthier food alternatives to over 80,000 children in schools throughout Colorado. The Farm Bill’s nutrition programs ensure that children benefit from healthy food choices that promote good eating habits, combat hunger and reduce childhood obesity, all while supporting local growers and producers. I am proud to support this bill, and will continue to press on despite the opposition’s attempts to block its passage.

This week the United States Senate will reconvene after a two-week work session. I am hopeful the President and some of my Republican colleagues in the Senate will work with leadership so that we can complete our unfinished business on a number of very important pieces of legislation that, among others, will fund programs to help children succeed in school, bolster our Nation’s health care system and revitalize our rural communities. I also look forward to finalizing work on the much anticipated 2007 energy bill and sending it to the President’s desk before year’s end.

Please stay tuned for my December newsletter in which I will wrap up some highlights from this past year and preview the next. I am encouraged that we can accomplish a lot in the New Year and look forward to getting the job done.

Sincerely,

Ken Salazar
United States Senator