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Recent Newspaper/Op-Ed PiecesWWII veteran's stories enlighten, The Tennessean November 11, 2008, Jordan McElroy, a Middle Tennessean, was in Washington last week visiting national monuments and memorials. Mr. McElroy was most excited about seeing the National World War II Memorial — it would be his first time visiting the site in his life. He had fought in World War II and was awarded with two Bronze Star Medals for his bravery in combat. Best and the Brightest, Newsweek (audio for windows media player; audio for real player). October 13, 2008, It sometimes seems as if the days of ambitious government science programs, like the Apollo space missions or the Manhattan Project, have ended. But Rep. Bart Gordon, a Democratic congressman from Tennessee and chair of the Science & Technology committee, believes the United States faces a new challenge in need of government support: finding the fuel of the future. He's proposed a new government entity, the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy, with the mandate to invest in revolutionary technologies. It’s past time for Iraq to pay for reconstruction August 18, 2008, For nearly 30 years, the 400 homes in the Cumberland Cove development in Putnam and Cumberland counties have tried to get water from their wells. Unfortunately, the wells were often dry, or the water was not drinkable. Last week, the families got welcome news. The U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development announced the City of Crossville would receive over $2 million in the form of a federal loan and grant to provide water service to Cumberland Cove. Innovation Will Pave The Way To A Stable Energy Future July 16, 2008, With gas prices around $4 a gallon in Tennessee and even higher in many parts of the country, it’s no wonder people are suffering. I’ve heard from a family in Cookeville that must choose between paying for oxygen tanks needed for their health or paying for gas. I’ve heard from an independent truck driver in Carthage who is worried his truck may be repossessed because he has fallen behind on payments as diesel prices have increased. And I’ve heard from countless others who commute to their jobs and are struggling to cope with record gas prices. Putting Troops and Veterans First May 16, 2008, Each year on Memorial Day, Americans remember those who have sacrificed their lives on behalf of our country. The debt owed to them is immeasurable. Their sacrifices and those of our military families are our freedom’s foundation. Without the brave efforts of our military servicemembers and their families, our country would not stand so boldly, shine so brightly and live so freely. Innovation Is The Key To Securing U.S. Competitiveness April 28, 2008, As a young boy in Murfreesboro in November of 1957, I remember looking into the sky and seeing a blinking red dot pass overhead that struck fear into countless Americans. The Soviet Union’s launch of Sputnik and the beginning of the space race marked a period of unprecedented investment in research and math and science education in this country. That investment resulted in the development of new technologies and the advancement of innovation. As a nation, we can take pride in knowing that American scientists, researchers and entrepreneurs have been at the forefront of many of these efforts. IRS Rebate Checks Are Coming, But Beware Of Scams March 20, 2008, Many Middle Tennessee residents have contacted me with questions about what they need to do to receive a rebate through the economic stimulus package passed by Congress and signed into law by the president. Through this plan, more than 130 million Americans will receive funds to help jumpstart the nation’s economy. Advance Planning Is The Best Way To Prepare For A Weather Disaster March 6, 2008, The tornadoes that struck Middle Tennessee last month left many people asking themselves if they would be prepared for such severe weather. For example, relying on a television for weather advisories may not be effective if the power goes out or at night. Would a family member away from home know where to meet loved ones after the storm passed? And if you had to leave your home, what would you do with your pets? While severe weather may strike with little warning, there are steps to take now to answer those questions. Consumer Protection Week Highlights Financial Security and Product Safety February 22, 2008, With National Consumer Protection Week being observed March 2-8, now is a good time for savvy consumers to make sure they are taking steps to protect their finances, their privacy and their families. Local Youth Can Serve Community And Earn Congressional Praise December 17, 2007, Anne Frank once wrote, “How wonderful it is that no one has to wait, but can start right now to gradually change the world!” Our world and our communities would benefit if more people took the sage advice of a young girl. Food, Product Recalls Create Anxiety This Holiday Season November 20, 2007, With the litany of recalled foods this year, preparations for Thanksgiving dinner may have created extra anxiety for some cooks. Unfortunately, the anxiety doesn’t end after the big meal. Many parents’ food safety anxiety turns to shopping apprehension as they wonder whether the toys on their child’s wish list are safe. The holidays should be a time to enjoy our families rather than worry about contaminated food and defective toys, but 2007 has been the year of product and food recalls. Promises Made To Veterans Should Be Kept November 1, 2007, No other Americans have stood stronger or more bravely for democracy than our troops and veterans. The debt owed to them is immeasurable, and that’s why we must celebrate, honor and remember them by ensuring those who serve receive all the benefits they have earned. Much more can be done to ensure America provides the most for the citizens who have given the most to this country. October 16, 2007, Last year in Tennessee, 4,400 women experienced a life-changing moment when they were diagnosed with breast cancer. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, making this an appropriate time to consider the importance of breast cancer research, education and treatment for these women and their families. Suicide Prevention Awareness Can Keep Families Whole September 21, 2007, Suicide remains a tragic and preventable problem among our nation’s youth. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports that youth suicide has increased dramatically for the first time in nearly a decade. By learning to recognize the signs of suicide, we can work to prevent these tragedies. Unsafe Imports Raise Concerns That Must Be Addressed Lessons Learned From A National Tragedy September 7, 2007, At the sixth anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, Congress has enacted a sweeping new security bill to protect America from future acts of terrorism. The bill, H.R. 1, finally enacts the recommendations of the bipartisan 9/11 Commission, which were submitted to Congress in July 2004. New Law Will Foster American Innovation and Secure Our Economic Future August 23, 2007, In the seeming chaos and partisan battles of the mad dash to get members of Congress back to their home districts for August work, a little recognized bipartisan bill accomplished a large feat for U.S. research, science and math education, America’s teachers and our country’s future workforce. An Honest Day’s Work Deserves Fair Pay We Owe Our Independence To Our Veterans June 28, 2007, For many Americans, the Fourth of July is about traditions – grilling in the backyard with family, watching fireworks with friends or spending a day on the lake. While those traditions give us many fond memories over the years, we should remind ourselves that our nation’s struggle for independence is what the Fourth of July is really about. Tuberculosis Incident Exploits Weak Border Security System June 7, 2007, When tuberculosis patient Andrew Speaker crossed the U.S. border at Champlain, N.Y., he demonstrated one more reason why improved border security is critical. Honor Those Who Have Served and Sacrificed May 24, 2007, In 1982, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial was dedicated on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. As we observe the Wall’s 25th anniversary this year, the memorial will again be surrounded by visitors who come to pay their respects to the men and women whose names are engraved onto its black granite face. The incredible healing power of the Vietnam Wall has helped to make it the most visited memorial in the nation’s capital, receiving more than 4 million visitors. Rising Gas Prices Underscore Need For Energy Independence May 17, 2007, With Memorial Day and the official summer driving season approaching, drivers are paying a heavy price for our nation’s dependence on foreign energy. On average, U.S. families are paying a record $3.10 for regular gasoline, which is 72 cents more than the price at the beginning of the year. In Tennessee, the average price per gallon is $2.84 – 111 percent higher than it was in 2001. After 37 Years, The Spirit Of Earth Day Remains the Same April 18, 2007, On April 22, 1970, the U.S. observed Earth Day for the first time. On that day, 20 million Americans participated in events around the country that focused largely on reducing pollution. The Environmental Protection Agency describes it as “a time when cities were buried under their own smog and polluted rivers caught fire.” Inconsistent Disability Ratings Shortchange The War’s Wounded April 16, 2007, Reports of second-rate treatment and facilities for wounded soldiers at Walter Reed Army Medical Center were shameful enough, but now the Pentagon has its hands full with reports about inconsistencies in the way the wounded are rated for their disability claims. The greatest injustice is that the ambiguous and arbitrary system leaves some of the wounded ineligible for assistance for injuries they suffered while serving overseas. Improved Forecasting Methods Could Save Future Lives April 5, 2007, On the afternoon of April 7, 2006, Gallatin was hit by Middle Tennessee’s deadliest single tornado since 1974. The twister with winds of more than 200 mph cut a devastating path through the county. When it ended, 700 properties were damaged or destroyed, more than 100 people were injured, and eight lost their lives. America’s Veterans Deserve Quality Medical Care March 9, 2007, Recent news stories have raised serious concerns about the quality of care received by wounded soldiers at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Investigations show that wounded soldiers returning from overseas have been housed in appalling surroundings and become tangled in red tape when seeking the medical care due to them. February 6, 2006, The recent decision to reduce water levels on Lake Cumberland while Wolf Creek Dam is repaired has left residents with many unanswered questions. They want to know the severity of the risk, the impact the repairs will have on them and what they should do if the dam were to fail. These questions need answers, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers tells me they are working to inform residents. Congress Promises Good Results For Middle Tennesseans January 5, 2007, In recent years, debates in Washington seemed to produce more partisan bickering than good results. But Middle Tennesseans deserve better. You deserve greater integrity in government, and common-sense proposals that will improve your everyday life. As the new session of Congress convenes, I look forward to returning civility to the Capitol and working together to produce good results for Tennessee families. Every Child Deserves A Loving Family November 22, 2006, More than ten years ago, I traveled to Romania and saw haunting images of physical and emotional neglect in that country’s orphanages. What troubled me most about the situation was that many international families wanted to adopt these children, but the country’s cumbersome adoption laws stood in the way. Every Veteran's Story Deserves To Be Told November 3, 2006, Veterans Day is a time for our nation to come together to remember and honor the millions of brave men and women who have served our country. Each of our nation’s 24 million veterans has a unique story of service. Through initiatives like the Veterans History Project, we can ensure that those stories of bravery, perseverance and camaraderie are preserved for future generations. Nation's Nuclear Waste Doesn't Belong In Tennessee October 13, 2006, Nearly two decades after a decision was made to establish a permanent site in Nevada for the safe storage of the nation’s nuclear waste, no such facility has opened. As a result the U.S. Department of Energy is trying once again to force Tennessee to store waste from the nation’s nuclear power plants. Veterans Have Earned Their Benefits August 17, 2006, Today, Americans in uniform are bravely fighting the war on terrorism all across the world. This nation asks our military personnel to make many sacrifices while defending our country, and they do it gladly and honorably. In exchange, our government promises basic necessities like health care to the brave men and women who protect us and our interests Workers Deserve A Wage Increase Instead Of Partisan Games August 7, 2006, The U.S. Capitol isn’t a place where you would expect to find a scene from “Let’s Make a Deal,” but that’s exactly what happened when congressional leadership decided to play political games rather than hold a clean vote to increase the minimum wage. Increasing Minimum Wage Makes Sense June 23, 2006, Imagine working all day, doing your job well, and receiving your salary for eight hours of hard work. What do you get for your labor? One tank of gas. Federal Legislation Could Provide Help For Emergency Room Woes June 19, 2006, Americans everywhere depend on emergency rooms to be open and ready to provide care in times of crisis, but a recent report by the Institute of Medicine indicates overcrowding in our nation’s emergency rooms may leave them unable to address our health care needs. Putting Qualified Teachers In Our Classroom Is Job One June 8, 2006, The latest news about our kids’ science knowledge is not encouraging. As U.S. students progress through middle and high school, the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) found recently that their science scores worsen. Elected Officials Must Live Under The Laws They Make June 1, 2006, In Washington, much ado has been made over the U.S. Department of Justice’s decision to raid the office of a sitting congressman who is being investigated on allegations of bribery. Honoring The Promises Made To Our Military Men And Women May 23, 2006, In our nation’s capital, some of the most moving monuments carry solemn phrases about sacrifice. The Korean War Veterans Memorial bears the words, “Freedom Is Not Free,” while the World War II Memorial honors the more than 400,000 Americans who died in the war with the inscription, “Here We Mark the Price of Freedom.” Garage Innovators May Provide Key To New Energy Technologies May 17, 2006, As energy prices continue to climb, consumers are taking steps to save energy where they can. Many are considering new purchases, such as energy-saving appliances or hybrid vehicles that may cost more initially but save money over the long run. Time To Drop Partisan Politics And Get Energy Relief To Consumers May 8, 2006, With summer road trips only a few weeks away, Americans have good reason to be frustrated with gas prices that are climbing right along with the temperature. Today, Americans are paying twice as much for gasoline as they paid in 2001, while oil companies are making triple the profits they made in 2002. IRS Proposal To Allow Sale Of Tax Return Information Should Be Stopped April 14, 2006, Next year’s tax season will be open season on your privacy if new disclosure regulations proposed by the Internal Revenue Service are not stopped. In Sumner County, Compassion And Kindness Follow The Storm April 13, 2006, As Sumner County residents know all too well, Friday’s devastating tornadoes left a path of destruction and heartache across Middle Tennessee. Many residents I have spoken with feel blessed to have escaped with their lives, but nearly everyone in the storm’s path experienced some level of loss. Immigration Laws Must Be Enforced March 31, 2006, Throughout our history, America has been a nation of immigrants, but it also has been a nation of laws. We have a legal process to govern immigration into our country, but this system has broken down. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security reports that the U.S. Border Patrol made 1.1 million border apprehensions in 2005. Seniors Deserve A Real Prescription Drug Benefit March 16, 2006, In the wee morning hours of November 22, 2003, the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit passed the U.S. House of Representatives under the quirkiest of circumstances. The Speaker of the House held votes open for nearly three hours – well beyond the usual 15 minutes allowed for votes. In what is believed to be the longest vote in the history of the House, former House Majority Leader Tom Delay twisted arms to bully members into changing their votes from no to yes. The bill ultimately passed by a one vote margin. Middle Tennesseans Rightfully Concerned About Port Security February 28, 2006, Many Middle Tennesseans have contacted me to express their concern about and opposition to the deal that would turn over management of six major U.S. ports to a firm owned by the United Arab Emirates. All Americans Deserve Access To Emergency Care January 18, 2006, Two years ago, I experienced terror as a parent while driving with my wife and our daughter Peyton. What began as a normal Sunday afternoon turned into the worst experience of my life as Peyton suddenly went into convulsions. Horrified, Leslie and I rushed to the nearest hospital to seek treatment for our two-year-old daughter. The Time For Ethics Reform Is Now January 13, 2006, Ethical problems with elected officials have become all too familiar to Middle Tennesseans and Americans everywhere. Bribery scandals in Tennessee’s legislature and corruption charges in the United States Congress are an embarrassment to our state and our nation. They are especially embarrassing to those of us who are elected and sworn to uphold the public trust. Enough is enough. We can and must do better. Action Is Required For U.S. To Remain Competitive In Today’s World January 4, 2006, America stands to lose its place as the global leader in innovation if we don’t take action. What’s the problem? Quite simply, other countries are outpacing the U.S. in science and technology. Pretty soon, we may find that we are unable to regain what we have lost. Cleaning Up Meth In Our Communities December 9, 2005, While visiting a Middle Tennessee high school about a year ago, I asked a group of students to tell me about the most troubling issue facing them. The response shocked me. These students weren’t concerned about getting a date to the prom or winning the upcoming football game; they were concerned about friends who were trying meth. Giving Thanks To The Men and Women In Uniform November 17, 2005, For many Tennessee families, this Thanksgiving takes on a special significance with the return of the Tennessee Army National Guard’s 278th Armored Calvary Regiment. Members of the 278th have fought valiantly in the Middle East, and I know I join with countless Tennesseans in welcoming them home. Comments On Proposed Pipline Sought From Local Residents October 31, 2005, Recently, the Federal Energy Regulatory Council (FERC) issued an environmental assessment for the natural gas pipeline proposed by Midwestern Gas Transmission Co. Now, concerned residents have the opportunity to share their views on the report with FERC. America’s Founding Fathers Did Not Intend To Get Rid Of Religion September 16, 2005, Many Americans are outraged by a San Francisco judge’s ruling that the Pledge of Allegiance is unconstitutional because it includes the words “under God.” I, too, am outraged. Sumner County Made Sure TVA Knew Its Concerns September 7, 2005, The Tennessee Valley Authority’s decision not to ship coal by rail to its Gallatin power plant was met with great relief in Sumner County. For months, residents voiced their opposition to the flawed plan, citing legitimate traffic and safety concerns. Lending a Hand In Hurricane’s Aftermath Tennessee Reaps Benefits Of Engaging Science Lessons August 12, 2005, Teachers are one of Tennessee's greatest resources. Often, we take for granted the sizeable contribution teachers indirectly make to our state's economy - specifically in the form of ‘human capital.’ Protecting Against Identity Theft Is More Difficult In Cyberspace July 15, 2005, Like many consumers, I was alarmed by the news reports of online thieves stealing millions of credit card account numbers. I was affected by the security breach, and I know firsthand the troubling feelings that come from not knowing who might have my personal information. TVA’s Coal By Rail Plan Must Not Unduly Burden Gallatin Residents June 28, 2005, The Tennessee Valley Authority’s recent proposal to ship coal by rail to its Gallatin power plant concerns me. TVA says it will save money by using rail to transport coal to the plant instead of river barges it currently uses, but the agency has not released specific documentation. 118th Airlift Wing Is Proven Commodity On The Battlefield June 24, 2005, Reassigning the airplanes of the 118th Airlift Wing of the Air National Guard based at Nashville International Airport to other bases is a misguided attempt by the Department of Defense to save money. In the past five years alone, $55 million has been spent making infrastructure improvements at the Nashville airport to support the mission of the 118th Airlift Wing. Senior Citizens Deserve Comfortable Quality Of Life In Golden Years June 17, 2005, Retirement is supposed to be a time when people get to relax and do the things they didn’t have the time to do when they were working and raising a family. But today’s economic realities have senior citizens scrambling to make ends meet. Administration Proposes To Hike Tennessee Electricity Rates April 19, 2005, I am disturbed by a White House proposal that plans to hike the rates charged for electricity generated at federally constructed dams here in Tennessee. I will fight any attempts by the federal government to artificially inflate electricity rates for Tennesseans, or any efforts in Congress to sell our public lakes and recreation areas. Nation's Math And Science Teachers Inspire Young Minds April 15, 2005, Our nation's security remains a top concern for most of us. But personal safety is just part of the equation. Security also means having the type of job that allows us to live comfortably and send our children to good schools where motivated teachers mold and shape inquisitive minds. Tennesseans Equipped With New Sales-Tax Deduction February 11, 2005, Now that we have received W-2 forms from our employers, it's time to start thinking about filing our tax returns. Many have already started this task, others have not. Regardless of whether you are eager to start this chore, you should know that you have another deduction at your disposal. New Gas Transmission Line Raises Lots Of Questions January 24, 2005, I cannot support a vague plan to construct a natural gas pipeline through Sumner and Trousdale counties. The company proposing the pipeline has left residents in the dark about the exact route of the pipeline, why it is needed and how it would affect the environment. Lending A Helping Hand To The Tsunami Victims January 6, 2005, Americans are once again proving how unselfish they are when it comes to helping the less fortunate overcome tragedy. They are giving to private charities and relief agencies at a phenomenal clip because of the December 26 tsunami and earthquake that devastated southern Asia. In the U.S. alone, relief agencies have received well over $150 million in private donations to help victims of the tsunamis.
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Congressman
Bart
Gordon
Washington Office
2310 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Phone: (202) 225-4231 Fax: (202) 225-6887 |
Congressman
Bart
Gordon
Cookeville Office
15 South Jefferson Cookeville, TN 38501 Phone: (931) 528-5907 |
Congressman
Bart
Gordon
Gallatin Office
100 Public Square Room B-100 Gallatin, TN 37066 Phone: (615) 451-5174 |