Plane Talk - November 12, 2007 - Seat 14D (next to Sen. Sam Brownback in 14C!)

This weekend, communities across Kansas gathered to honor their veterans. Steve and I were proud to participate in events in Leavenworth, Manhattan, Topeka, and southeast Kansas. I thought I'd be exhausted after this weekend, but I find myself energized.

You know how timing is everything? Well, on Sunday morning, 11/11 at 11:00 am, ground was broken on the new Veterans Cemetery at Fort Riley. After 14 years of planning and hard work, the cemetery finally began to take shape. The excitment was palpable. On an amazing, bright Veterans Day morning, with the funds finally in place, with "God light" streaking through the clouds, ground was broken.

Last year, Steve took his 89-year-old mother to the World War II cemeteries on the Normandy coast. They came home with pictures and with stories that brought tears. The powerful visual reminder of the sacrifice at Normandy changed their lives.

The cemetary at Fort Riley will serve as final resting place for thousands of veterans who answered their nation's call. As it grows, it will serve as Kansas' own reminder of our veterans' sacrifice:  a very powerful, quiet memorial to those who gave so much for our freedom.

With warm regards,

Nancy Boyda
Member of Congress

P.S.  Sen. Brownback and I had a great discussion.  Thank you, Sam!


Casework Corner - Boyda's Office Can Assist with Disability Claims

Recently I wrote about the Social Security disability backlog, and how it affects so many Kansans who badly need help. With people waiting two years or longer for benefits, many are put in serious financial trouble by the fact that they are unable to work.

Dave Bly, a Topeka resident, recently contacted Rep. Boyda's Topeka office because he applied for disability benefits and had already waited several months. Dave’s situation was similar to many applicants, in that he had never imagined that he would need help from Social Security until he was struck with a terrible illness that made him no longer able to work. In Dave’s case, it was cancer, and by the time it progressed to stage IV, he badly needed the assistance of Social Security Disability Benefits.

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Letter of the Week - PATRIOT Act

Thank you for contacting my office regarding the PATRIOT Act. Your opinion matters to me, as I am very concerned about protecting our rights guaranteed in the Bill of Rights.

First, let me make it clear – the government must do all it can to protect this country. However, the thought of any of our government agencies intruding into any citizen’s personal life without following the laws is very disturbing. As a nation, we must strike a balance between our freedoms that we cherish so dearly and making sure that those who wish to do us harm are caught before they can do so.

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This Week in Congress - 11/5 to 11/11

On Monday, I flew back to Washington, D.C. after a weekend home in Kansas.  That evening I spoke on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives to recognize the importance of National Bible Week.

On Tuesday, I joined several members of Congress for a press conference on the Save America with Verification and Enforcement (SAVE) Act, a bill to strengthen protections against illegal immigration.  Later that day, I spoke on the House floor about the Heroes Earnings Assistance and Relief Tax (HEART) Act, which incorporated a bill I authored to end the "soldier tax" -- a penalty that cuts military families' eligibility for the Earned Income Tax Credit.  (To see my speech on the HEART Act, please visit my website!)  Also on Tuesday, Anna Andersen of the Alliance Against Family Violence in Leavenworth visited my D.C. office for a meeting.

On Wednesday, over a dozen Kansas veterans of World War II visited Washington, D.C. to see the World War II Memorial.  Former Sen. Bob Dole, Rep. Jerry Moran, and I were very proud to join these Kansas veterans for their journey.  Visiting my office for meetings were Mike Dorsey, CEO of Providence Medical Center and St. John Hospital; Mary Ellen Clark, Executive Director of the Providence-St. John Foundation; KU Chancellor Hemenway; and Dr. James McAtee of the Manhattan Surgical Hospital.  Social Security Administration Commissioner Michael Astrue also hosted a meeting with the Kansas House delegation -- Rep. Todd Tiahrt, Rep. Jerry Moran, Rep. Dennis Moore, and me -- to discuss active steps to reduce the Social Security disability backlog in Kansas.

On Thursday, I met with Gen. William Wallace, Commanding General of TRADOC;  Dan Goddard, Executive Director, KSAAP-LRPA in Parsons; and Domenico Misceo of Atchison, who was participating in the National Young Leaders Conference.  I also testified at a U.S. House Committee on the Judiciary hearing on steps to combat illegal immigration.

On Friday, the House voted on legislation to protect over 200,000 Kansans from being wrongly hit by the Alternative Minimum Tax.  That evening, I flew home to Kansas for the weekend.

On Saturday, I visited Pittsburg, Kansas, where Kathy Swezey of SEK, Inc. shared her ideas for an upcoming forum on technology issues affecting southeast Kansas.  Also, I was honored to join the Gift of Freedom Veterans Appreciation Lunchon in Franklin, Kansas.

On Sunday, the Kansas State Veterans Cemetery at Fort Riley held its formal groundbreaking, a major step forward in the 14-year effort to build the new cemetery.  I also joined Veterans Day observances at the All Veterans Memorial and at Gage Park, both in Topeka.