The Week Just Past:

• Confronting ISIS
• How’s the “Pivot to the Pacific” Going?
• A Threat to the Medicine Chest of the World
• Turkey:  NATO Ally?
• Boehner: GAO Confirms Obama Administration Ignored the Law on the “Taliban Five”
• Salute: Centenarian Herman “Hy” Goldman
• Salute: James Caldwell Post 185 American Legion
• Salute: Mayo PAC Celebrates its 20^th anniversary

Confronting ISIS

The brutal murder of American journalist Jim Foley by the terrorist organization ISIS – the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria – was meant to send a message to the United States. ISIS, which controls an area the size of Belgium that some analysts describe as “Syr-Rac,” was described yesterday by Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel as, “beyond anything we have seen.” They represent a clear danger to the region and to the United States.

The Administration needs to send a clear message back to these barbarians: we will firmly and decisively act to protect our nation and our people from these terrorists. No more 'redlines' to ponder as intellectual constructs, please!

Yesterday’s Wall Street Journal editorial makes this point clearly and convincingly.

How’s the “Pivot to the Pacific” Going?

As chair of the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, I just returned from leading a Congressional delegation to the Philippines, Indonesia, and Singapore where I met with public officials and other leaders, including Philippine President Benigno Aquino, to evaluate the progress (or lack thereof) of President Obama’s much-heralded pivot to the Pacific.

The delegation included Congresswoman Kay Granger (TX-12) (who is the vice chair of my committee and also the chair of the House Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee), Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-42) and Congressman James Moran (VA-8).

I also visited with members of our Armed Forces, all volunteers, who are stationed in this region of the world and thanked them for their service.

More information about my fact-finding mission can be found here.  

A Threat to the Medicine Chest of the World

New Jersey has long been known as the “Medicine Chest of the World” due to the many life-saving medical innovations created here by the men and women (many of whom are my constituents in the 11^thCongressional District) who work in our state’s pharmaceutical, life sciences, and biotechnology industries.

The United States has far outpaced the rest of the world in the discovery and development of new treatments and therapies to battle disease. As this piece from the Wall Street Journal makes clear, our standing as the world leader will be at risk if we institute price controls on the innovative medicines and products that do so much to improve the health of people around the world. 

Turkey:  NATO Ally?

Worth a read: who would think Turkey would ever replace Egypt as the major player in the Middle East? That was the assumption given conditions that developed in Egypt, prior to and after President Morsi's removal.  But Turkey’s new reelected prime minister has made some deeply disturbing statements recently that call into question whether Turkey will be a reliable partner in the region.

Perhaps when the Kurds move further towards their ultimate goal of establishing Kurdistan, which to a great extent already exists, our NATO 'partner' may reexamine their leader's deliberate 'pivot' away from the secular Turkish state established by their modern founder, Ataturk.

And, considering the overall state of American foreign policy, the Administration has done a pretty good job of alienating just about anyone who is a player!

Boehner: GAO Confirms Obama Administration Ignored the Law on the “Taliban Five”

This is worth a read. 

Salute: Centenarian Herman “Hy” Goldman

Hanover Township's own Herman “Hy” Goldman recently celebrated his 101^st birthday, which in and of itself is a cause for celebration. But what makes this Whippany World War II veteran extra- special is the fact that he is still working – and at the same employer he joined 73 years ago! Mr. Goldman began working for Capitol Lighting in East Hanover back in 1941, and except for a brief interruption to serve in the U.S. Army, he’s been there ever since!

Visit CBS News/New York’s website for a heartwarming story about this remarkable man, who proves you’re only as old as you feel!

Salute: James Caldwell Post 185 American Legion

Congratulations to the members of the James Caldwell Post 185 American Legion on receiving the “S.M. ‘Sam’ Kent – Service Above Self Award” from the Rotary Club of the Caldwells. Post 185 was recognized for raising more than $12,000 to assist families who lost their homes in a fire this past January.

I salute the members of Post 185 for their service to the community and the Rotary Club of the Caldwells for the work they do to put “service above self.”

Salute: Mayo PAC Celebrates its 20^th anniversary

Morristown’s Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC) is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year! For two decades, this outstanding institution has brought a wide variety of world class performing artists to its stage to entertain, educate, and inspire the countless thousands of people who have attended performances there. The many contributions MPAC has made to the cultural richness of Morris County and northern New Jersey have made it a valued part of the community and the wider region. 

More information about MPAC can be found here.