A Weekly e-Newsletter from
Senator Johnny Isakson (R-GA)

December 7, 2007

Dear Friends,

Today, as we reflect on the anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, I say a special prayer for our nation’s veterans and our servicemen and women overseas.  We enjoy many blessings in the United States of America due to their sacrifices and I thank them for all they do for our country.

Israel
Last week, I had the opportunity to visit Israel while an historic event was taking place in Annapolis, Maryland, when 18 Arab Nations and the leaders of Israel and the Palestinian Authority met to try to begin the process of finding a roadmap for peace in the Middle East. I think all of us are encouraged that the result of that conference was an agreement between the Palestinian Authority and Israel to try, over the next 12 months, to reach an agreement by the end of 2008 to bring about peace in the Middle East.

From the week I spent in Israel and from my many visits to the Middle East, I believe there are two clear steps that must be taken to build toward a true roadmap to a lasting peace: securing Israel from the daily intimidation from terror groups in Gaza and the West Bank and addressing state-sponsored terrorism in neighboring countries such as Iran.

We have a great ally in Israel and we must recognize the resilience of their people, including the young man and woman I met on the hill overlooking Gaza, who daily face the threats of rockets coming from terrorists. We must let them know that we in America are with them, and we have hope that one day peace and security can become a reality for them and for us.

Climate Change Bill
On Wednesday, I voted against legislation in the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee that would cap emissions of greenhouse gases, partly because the legislation fails to address the development of all renewable resources, especially nuclear energy, as part of the solution.  I believe it is a mistake to impose such caps on the one hand while excluding a clean energy source such as nuclear on the other. The bill passed the Committee by a vote of 11 to 8 and now goes to the full Senate. 

As we address reducing carbon in the atmosphere and try to improve the quality of our environment, we will talk about next-generation innovative resources. However, we must also take advantage of existing technologies that generate clean, carbon-less energy and use them to meet the challenges of the 21st century and the challenges of reducing carbon in our environment.  If we don’t revitalize, enhance and encourage technologies such as nuclear energy, we will never be able to reach the goals that we seek. 

I offered a comprehensive amendment to the America's Climate Security Act to expand the nation’s nuclear energy infrastructure. The amendment was defeated by a vote of 8 to 11. I may seek to offer the same amendment when the bill reaches the Senate floor.  To view details on the amendment, click here.

Tennessee Valley Authority Board One Step Closer to Georgia Representation
This week the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee unanimously approved Thomas Gilliland of Blairsville, Ga., to serve on the board of directors of the Tennessee Valley Authority. The TVA has jurisdiction over power issues that are critical to Georgia although citizens of Georgia have never been represented on the TVA board.  Thomas Gilliland is extremely knowledgeable about the environmental, recreational and power resources provided by the TVA, and there is no better qualified individual to serve on the TVA board.  I urge the Senate to confirm him as soon as possible.

I originally voiced concern over Georgia’s continued lack of representation on the TVA board in February 2006 when six new nominees to the board were considered before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, on which I serve. I exercised my right to block those nominations from final confirmation until each nominee had given me assurances in writing that the interests of Georgia would be represented in some form by the board. In individual letters to me, each of the six nominees pledged to “commit to the establishment of a process to ensure the views and advice of residents of each state in the Tennessee Valley are taken into consideration by the Board.” 

Activation of 93^rd Air Ground Operations Wing at Moody Air Force Base
The activation of the 93^rd Air Ground Operations Wing at Moody Air Force Base will realign the 3rd Air Support Operations Group at Fort Hood in Texas, the 18th Air Support Operations Group at Pope Air Force Base in North Carolina and 820th Security Forces Group at Moody Air Force Base under a single wing to ensure proper training, deployment, and employment.  The 93rd provides critical support to our troops, and this move illustrates the importance of Moody Air Force Base and its future to the Department of Defense and the war on terrorism.  Georgia’s military installations are critical to our national defense and the national security of the United States, and I will continue to work with Senator Chambliss to ensure they receive a strong commitment from Washington. The establishment of the new wing will add more than 50 personnel to Moody Air Force Base.

Federal Funding Announced to help Reimburse Costs of Georgia Wildfire
On Tuesday, authorization of federal funding was announced to help reimburse firefighting costs associated with the Sweat Farm Road wildfire that started in April of this year. The Sweat Farm Road fire affected approximately 104,152 acres of federal, state and private land. Funding has been made available through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The authorization includes a 75 percent federal cost share to be applied to all fire management reimbursement grants.  I am grateful for the heroic efforts of the emergency personnel and the firefighters who battled this unwieldy and fast-spreading fire and protected our citizens.  This funding is welcome news.

On April 16, 2007, a wildfire started near the City of Waycross in Ware County. The Sweat Farm Road fire threatened 800 homes and businesses in the Waycross area. Five homes were destroyed and approximately 2,100 people were evacuated. FEMA is providing assistance for reimbursement of costs for use of Georgia Department of Defense Blackhawk and Chinook helicopters as well as a C-23 transport as well as related labor, travel, and per diem and pro-rated military mop-up costs. This was one of five federally declared fires fought in Georgia during a six-week period. The total project cost is $1,454,624.37 and FEMA’s share is $1,090,968.28.

What’s on Tap for Next Week?

Next week, the Senate will resume debate on the Farm Bill.

Sincerely,
Johnny Isakson