Former Secretary of Defense Energizes Morris Chamber of Commerce

Don’t Blame Ambassador Stevens for the Benghazi Disaster

The United States’ Stake in Ukraine

A New Record for VA Home Loans!

“Insurance Through Work? Healthcare Law Affects You Too”

This Week’s Salute: Kay Zufall

A Totowa Intern’s Washington Experience

Morris County Sheriff’s Office Marks 275^th Anniversary

Former Secretary of Defense Energizes Morris Chamber of Commerce

“I had the honor and pleasure today of introducing former Secretary of Defense William Cohen to the more than 600 people attending today’s 93^rd Annual Meeting Luncheon of the Morris County Chamber of Commerce. 

“Secretary Cohen kept the capacity crowd riveted with his 25 minute talk highlighting many of the serious national defense challenges facing the United States today.  He focused specifically on China’s growing military might and on the increasing instability in the Middle East.  The former Secretary diplomatically but firmly discussed why President Obama’s actions last fall regarding the situation in Syria have not helped advance the cause of peace and freedom in the region.  At the conclusion of his remarks, the crowd rose as one to give Secretary Cohen a well-earned ovation.

“As the new chairman of the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, I found Secretary Cohen’s insights particularly valuable.  As my committee gets ready to begin its work of determining the spending for the upcoming fiscal year of the Department of Defense and the nation’s intelligence efforts, the Secretary’s message will certainly help inform my efforts to ensure that when it comes to protecting the United States, we must make every dollar count.”

          Rodney Frelinghuysen

Recommended Reading: An interesting Op Ed piece in the ThursdayWall Street Journal by diplomat Gregory Hicks: “Benghazi and the Smearing of Chris Stevens. Shifting blame to our dead ambassador is wrong on the facts. I know—I was there.”

The United States’ Stake in Ukraine

This week saw new outbreaks of violence in the Ukraine, a nation with strong ties to northern New Jersey. After two months of rallies the capital of Kiev against President Viktor Yanukovych's decision to reject a deal for closer integration with the European Union, Ukraine's protests appear to be spreading across the country.

“Americans are witnessing the Ukrainian people reassert their independence, as is their right,” Rodney said.  “The United States has a real stake in developments in this part of Europe and the Administration should warn Russia not to interfere in the events now unfolding in Ukraine.  This is a matter for the Ukrainian people to decide.”

For more background information on current developments in Ukraine, visit Max Fisher's blog in the Washington Post.

Recommended Reading:  The number of home loans guaranteed by the Veterans Administration reached an all time high in 2013.  Read thedetails in this story in the New York Times.

Recommended Reading: Carla Johnson and Tom Murphy, writing for the Associated Press, “Insurance Through Work? Healthcare Law Affects You Too.”

This Week’s Salute: Kay Zufall

We mourn the passing of Kay Zufall last week.  Kay and her husband, champions of affordable healthcare, established the Zufall Health Center in Morris County.  Rodney told the Morris County Daily Record this week, “Kay and Bob Zufall devoted their professional and personal lives and resources to serving those most in need of health services.  In the heart of Dover for many years, their freestanding health center has served families with no health insurance, especially mothers and children, and families of limited English language skills, with basic medical and dental needs, immunizations, regular physicals and a whole array of preventive services. Their selflessness encouraged other doctors and healthcare professionals to volunteer to serve the neediest.”

Recommended Reading: A recent student intern in Rodney’s Washington, D.C. office was featured in the Passaic Valley Times.  Read about Matthew Patten’s experience here.

Morris County Sheriff’s Office Marks 275^th Anniversary

Congratulations to the Morris County Sheriff’s Office on its 275^thAnniversary, which it marked today with a special ceremony at the Morris County Courthouse.

Plaques were dedicated honoring former Sheriffs Arnold Ladd and John Fox.  Both of these law enforcement officers served the people of Morris County with distinction over a combined 45 years of service. 

Congratulations, also, to Sheriff Ed Rochford, for his continued leadership of this premier law enforcement agency, and to all the men and women of the Sheriff’s Office who do so much to make Morris County a safer place in which to live and work.

You can learn more about the work of the Sheriff’s Office here.