Bob's Blog
Honoring Those Who Served in Iraq
Today, as we mark the official end of the war in Iraq, I ask that you join me in honoring the great sacrifices of our military and civilians who have served there. Throughout the duration of the war, Pennsylvanians have served honorably in the execution of their duties. 198 Pennsylvanians made the ultimate sacrifice while serving in Iraq. We should also remember the families of our service members. There are many spouses, children, parents and family members that will celebrate this holiday season with only the memory of a loved one who made the ultimate sacrifice in Iraq.
In addition to the many Pennsylvanians who lost their lives, 1,239 service members were wounded during the war. These brave men and women must have access to the best possible care for their specific wounds and a system that is easily navigable to allow for that care to be provided as quickly as possible.
We must care for our wounded service members and work to improve their lives while also supporting the survivors of our fallen troops; I view this as one of the most important responsibilities of a Member of the Senate. As our military’s role in Iraq comes to an end, there is still a good deal of diplomatic work to be done to ensure that our nation’s sacrifices were not made in vain. Today, the veterans of the Iraq War can hold their heads high and know they answered the call of their nation.
Thank you to all of our Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn veterans. Welcome home.
Making it easier for military spouses to re-enter the workforce
Every year, thousands of servicemembers are given orders to relocate themselves and their families in service of our country. Change of Station (PCS) orders often place heavy financial and psychological burdens on the spouses and families of our servicemembers. When these servicemembers transfer stations, their spouses are faced with the possibility of losing their jobs. We no longer live in times where a single income is enough for most families, including military families.
Yet, military families do not complain and continue to relocate time after time.
In order to ease the financial burden that PCS orders can impose upon these families, today I reintroduced the Military Spouses Job Continuity Act. This bill would help those spouses more easily re-enter the workforce after a PCS order by offering a tax credit of up to $500 to any military spouse who has to renew or transfer a professional license due to a Change of Station.
When the National Military Families Association surveyed military spouses about employment challenges, 39% of military families had experienced a financial setback in 2010. Of those who experienced a financial setback, 32% identified that their family had made a PCS move and that the spouse had lost a job.
This legislation recognizes the sacrifices that both national and Pennsylvanian military families make. Together with the support of the National Military Family Association, Blue Star Families of America, the National Guard Association of the United States, and the Reserve Officers Association, I look forward to supporting the well-being of our servicemembers and their families. I believe that assisting military families is critical to maintaining a highly effective force.
House Spending Cuts and Local Law Enforcement
Today, I was in Chester, Pennsylvania to discuss the impact House cuts to Department of Justice programs would have on local law enforcement. I was joined by Chester Mayor Wendell Butler, Chester Councilwoman Portia West, Police Chief Darren Alston and Police Major’s John Gretsky and Robert Archacki. The City of Chester has benefited from two Department of Justice funding programs, specifically, over the past two years. The Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) program funding over the past several years has allowed the Department to purchase nine new police vehicles, new bullet proof vests along with other communications and data equipment. And the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Hiring Recovery Program helped the Chester Police Department put five additional patrol officers on the streets.
This funding is essential to the Chester Police Department, and to many other police departments across Pennsylvania. This fact was reemphasized with me today as I spoke to Mayor Butler, Chief Alston and Major’s Gretsky and Archacki. Unfortunately, Chester experienced a rash of violence in early 2010. This funding helps to ensure that local law enforcement can help prevent a similar string of violence from happening again by putting patrol officers on the streets in high-risk areas and ensuring that those officers have the necessary equipment to respond to situations safely and effectively.
On February 11, I sent a letter to House Speaker John Boehner and House Appropriations Committee Chairman Harold Rogers, urging them to reconsider cuts to State and Local Law Enforcement and the COPS program for fiscal year 2011. My discussion today, with officials on the ground, underscores what I wrote in that letter “…the significant reduction in funding for these initiatives will negatively impact the safety of my constituents and citizens across the country.” I look forward to working in the Senate to make sure that these programs receive the appropriate funding to continue preventing and reducing crime.
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