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‘It is fitting that the Senate has honored her legacy just a few moments ago. Margaret Thatcher didn't just change a country or give a people hope; she helped alter the course of history. It's true she did not just go along to get along, but had she done so, I’m sure we would have long since forgotten her. So let's honor her for all she did. Let's acknowledge the enormity of what she accomplished. Let's mention her achievements by name and the resolution does that because we owe her a tribute equal to her legacy.’

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell and Representative Andy Barr met with Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe today to discuss the Postal Service’s accelerated closure of the Lexington Area Mail Processing Plant.

In late March, the United States Postal Service announced its plan to move up the closure of the facility, originally scheduled for 2014 to later this year. The Lexington AMP employs approximately 100 Kentuckians and serves numerous counties in Central Kentucky. In the past three years, the Postal Service has closed Area Mail Processing Plants in Bowling Green, Hazard, London, Somerset, Ashland, Elizabethtown, Campton and Pikeville.

“Congressman Barr and I are concerned with the accelerated closure of the Nandino Boulevard plant in Lexington and the impact it will have on delivery service in Central Kentucky and across the Commonwealth,” Senator McConnell said. “I invited the Postmaster General to my office for the meeting to discuss what appears to be a trend of moving these processing plants from Kentucky to other states, which suggests a disproportionate impact on the people of Kentucky. I have heard from many constituents on this matter and they deserve answers. The Postmaster General told us that he seeks to avoid any actions that would negatively affect delivery schedules for Kentucky customers.”

"I appreciate Postmaster General Donahoe taking the time to meet with us to outline the Postal Service’s decision making process behind the accelerated closing of the processing facility,” Representative Barr said. “I communicated my serious concerns about this decision in light of the growth of the central Kentucky region. However, I sought and received assurances from Postmaster General Donahoe that this decision will not in any way negatively impact quality of service or mail delivery times, and that the Nandino location will remain open as a post office. I appreciate that commitment and will continue to monitor their progress in this regard.”

Senator McConnell and Congressman Barr meet with Postmaster General Donahoe in McConnell’s Washington DC office regarding the closure of the Lexington Area Mail Processing Plant (Tuesday, April 16, 2013)

WASHINGTON, DC – Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell was informed yesterday by Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel that the Department has reconsidered the creation of the Distinguished Warfare Medal as a way to honor the actions of those using advanced technology in warfare. In March, Senator McConnell wrote Secretary Hagel to express the concerns of many veterans groups in Kentucky regarding plans to place the Distinguished Warfare Medal in a position of precedence above the Bronze Star and Purple Heart.

In the letter to McConnell, Secretary Hagel wrote that recognition of the distinguished service of military servicemembers which is conducted largely out of harm’s way will be recognized with “the creation of a distinguishing device that may be affixed to existing medals at various levels instead of a separate medal.” Secretary Hagel added that the specifics of the honor would be determined within the next 90 days.

“This is good news for our servicemembers and our veterans who were concerned that the Distinguished Warfare Medal would have been placed in a position of precedence above the Bronze Star and Purple Heart,” Senator McConnell said. “I appreciate Secretary Hagel’s decision to revisit the matter which could have weakened the morale and diminished the recognition given to many of our nation’s servicemembers.”

Carl Kaelin, VFW National Inspector General and Past State Commander of the Department of Kentucky VFW said this: “DOD’s decision to revisit the order of precedence for military medals reflects once again Senator McConnell’s strong and effective advocacy for Kentucky’s military and veterans.”

NOTE: Earlier this month, Senator McConnell also sponsored legislation which would require the Bronze Star and Purple Heart to occupy positions of precedence above the Distinguished Warfare Medal.

Recent Press Releases

Senate Passes McConnell Resolution Honoring Former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher

April 16, 2013

McConnell and Barr Discuss Closing of Lexington Area Mail Processing Plant with Postmaster General

April 16, 2013

Secretary of Defense Responds to McConnell: Pentagon to Cancel Distinguished Warfare Medal

April 16, 2013