ü Supported H.Res. 1106, a resolution expressing support for the designation of April 2008 as “National Autism Awareness Month.” It also expresses support for devoting new resources to research into the causes and treatment of autism.  In addition, this resolution supports improving training and support for individuals with autism and their care-takers.

ü  Supported H.Con.Res. 134, a resolution expressing Congress’ support for establishing a Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month to enhance public awareness of mental illness, especially within minority communities.  According to the 1999 Surgeon General’s Report on Mental Illness, more than 54 million Americans have a mental disorder in any given year, although fewer than 8 million seek treatment.  Additionally, according to a report from the Office of Minority and National Affairs for the American Psychiatric Association, African Americans experience a much greater unmet need for mental health services and receive a lesser quality of care, thereby resulting in mental health disparities.  This resolution recognizes the importance of ensuring that all Americans, regardless of race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status, receive access to mental health services and treatment.

 ü  Supported H.Res. 1124, a resolution expressing the House of Representatives’ support for establishing a National Brain Tumor Awareness Month.  This resolution also applauds the actions of medical professionals and others who strive to raise public awareness of brain tumors and brain cancer.

ü  Supported H.Res. 1022, a resolution affirming the House of Representatives’ support for reducing maternal mortality both at home and abroad.  An estimated 536,000 women worldwide die during pregnancy and childbirth every year, which is equivalent to one death every minute. In addition, girls under 15 years old are estimated to be five times more likely to die during childbirth than women in their twenties.  Nearly all these deaths are preventable through proper medical care and treatment. Unfortunately, many developing countries lack an adequate number of medical professionals to care for pregnant women.  This resolution affirms the United States’ commitment to promoting maternal health and child survival both at home and abroad through greater international investment and participation.  It also recognizes maternal health and child survival as fundamental to the well-being of families and societies, and to global development and prosperity.

ü  Supported H.Res. 369, a resolution supporting the goals and ideals of National Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month.  In the United States, 10 million individuals currently have osteoporosis, and nearly 34 million more people are estimated to have low bone mass, placing them at increased risk for osteoporosis.  One in two women and one in four men over the age of 50 will have an osteoporosis-related fracture in her or his remaining lifetime.  Building strong bones during childhood and adolescence can be the best defense against developing osteoporosis later.

American Culture and Values

ü Supported H.Res. 1185, a resolution expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that Congress should recognize the important contributions of Americans who serve as foster parents and, who by doing so, unselfishly open their homes and family lives to children in need.

Small Business

ü Supported S. 3029, which extends the programs under the Small Business Act and the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 through February 28, 2009.  The important programs aid, counsel, assist and protect the interests of small-business concerns, in order to preserve free competitive enterprise and to strengthen the overall economy of our nation.

Education

ü Voted in favor of H.Res. 1142, a resolution recognizing National Missing Children’s Day and reminding Americans to remember the children who are still missing and to continue efforts to reunite them with their families.

Government Reform

ü Voted in favor of H.R. 752, the Federal Electronic Equipment Donation Act of 2007.  H.R. 752 would direct all federal agencies to identify surplus electronic equipment and donate that equipment to our nation’s schools, libraries and towns in need. 

ü Supported H.R. 5787, the Federal Real Property Disposal Enhancement Act of 2008.  H.R. 5787 would identify excess federal property and prepares it for sale.  Prior to sale, the excess property would be made available to state and local governments and certain nonprofit institutions. 

ü Supported H.Res. 1132, a resolution supporting Peace Officers Memorial Day to honor federal, state, and local peace officers killed or disabled in the line of duty.

Defense

ü Cosponsored H.R. 6026, the Clean Global War on Terror Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2008.   H.R. 6026 would provide $178 billion in total spending for our men and women in uniform who are serving in harm’s way.  The bill does not contain any additional domestic spending or restrictive policy provisions.  Secretary of Defense Robert Gates has indicated that the account to pay Army personnel will run out near June 15, 2008, without additional funding.

ü Voted to support H.R. 5658, the Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act of 2009 during floor consideration of the annual defense policy bill.  After 57 amendments were considered, the bill passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 384 to 23.  The bill includes support for military readiness, military families, the base realignment and closure process for 2005, and the Navy and shipbuilding and repair: 

Support for Military Readiness

• An additional $2.6 billion to field Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles (MRAP) to our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.
• Authorizes an increase of 13,450 military personnel in 2009 to increase end-strength and increase the time soldiers spend at home between tours of duty.
• $2 billion toward unfunded readiness initiatives requested by the services.
• $11 billion for equipment reset requirements.
• $500 million to fix recently discovered shortfalls in military barracks.
• A requirement for the Pentagon to study joint logistics organization.  The Virginia Fourth Congressional District is home to Army Logistics at Fort Lee, Va., and also U.S. Joint Forces Command in Suffolk, Va., which is responsible to make sure deployed forces are properly equipped and manned.

 Support for Military Families and Veterans

• Funding for a 3.9% pay raise for active duty military personnel to reduce the pay gap between the military and private sector pay to 2.9%.
• Prohibit increases in both TRICARE and pharmacy user fees, which would prevent more than $1.2 billion in healthcare costs from being passed on to service members.
• Increased funding for family support programs by $15 million.
• Establishes a tuition assistance program for eligible military spouses, authorizing a career intermission pilot program, and creating new preventive health care initiatives.

 Implementing Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) and New Construction

• $218 million in new construction at Fort Lee, Va., for the implementation of the BRAC Round 2005.  Fort Lee, Va., will double in size as a result of the BRAC 2005 round. The bill included 100% of the required funding for Fiscal Year 2009.
• $90 million in additional funding for barracks at Fort Lee, Va.
• $11 million for dining facilities at Fort Lee, Va.
• $4 million for a group storage facility at Fort Lee, Va.
• $3 million for a Multipurpose Machine Gun Range at Fort Pickett, Va.

 Support for Navy, Shipbuilding, and Repair

• Full funding for one Virginia Class Submarine, plus $722 million in additional funding to allow defense industrial base to build two submarines beginning in 2010, rather than waiting until 2011 that are in current Navy plans.
• More than $600 million for the aircraft carrier overhaul of the USS Theodore Roosevelt.
• $120 million in additional ship repair funding included at the request of Rep. Forbes.  This funding will allow for 31 more ship maintenance periods and one more submarine maintenance period than was in the budget request.  About 40% of the new work would occur in the Hampton Road region.
• $10 million for a new gate entrance at Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Virginia to ease traffic congestion and provide access during heightened threat condition.  The project includes a new turn lane off George Washington Highway to the Shipyard, a new pass office, security gate, a vehicle inspection area, and a guard house.  An average of 12,000 vehicles enters the Shipyard each day.  This project was included at the request of Rep. Forbes.
• $1.8 billion for a San Antonio LPD-17 ship, which was requested by Rep. Forbes.  The LPD carries vehicles, helicopters, and troops close to shore. The additional ship will help the Navy get a step closer to a 313 ship Navy.
• The measure did not include a waiver to allow the Navy to reduce its fleet from 11 aircraft carriers to 10 aircraft carriers.  Rep. Forbes along with other members on the Armed Services Committee, believe that 11 aircraft carriers should be the minimum number of carriers we have.
• $30 million at the request of Rep. Forbes for the Maritime Guaranteed Loan Program to support a strong domestic shipbuilding industrial base and preserve a U.S. flagged merchant fleet.
• A limitation on the leasing of foreign-built ships.

Other Initiatives Supported by Rep. Forbes in H.R. 5658

• The establishment of an interagency panel between the Department of Defense and Department of State to identify reforms to coordinate more effectively on national security matters.
• $800,000 for the Virginia Modeling, Simulation, and Analysis Center (VMASC) at Old Dominion University to develop modeling and simulation (M&S) standards for the Department of Defense.
• $20 million for the Procurement Technical Assistance Program, which helps guide small businesses in communities surrounding Fort Lee, Va., and other military installations in bidding and receiving Department of Defense contracts.  The service is provided at no cost to the small businesses.

ü Supported House passage of H.Con.Res. 334, a resolution in support of National Military Appreciation Month to honor our Armed Forces and the men and women who serve to preserve the freedom, security and prosperity enjoyed by the people of the United States.