Senator Conrad Burns’ Montana eNewsLetter Thursday, December 30, 2004 Version 4, Edition 75

Happy Holidays!

As we gather this holiday season, there are many blessings we can count. The important ones at the Burns’ table this year are, living in this great land; especially Montana, and the freedoms we enjoy that we did not earn, but inherited. Young Americans are serving in harm’s way this season and our thoughts and prayers are with them all. Our prayers go out to those families that have lost loved ones, and to those who are coming home, carrying their scars of Freedom. Their sacrifices will forever be remembered.

Keeping Our Soldiers Abroad Connected To Home

There’s a great new program being offered to military families that I’d like to make sure every Montanan hears about. The Freedom Calls Foundation, Montana State University, and the Montana Telemedicine Network (MTN) have tested communications with soldiers in Iraq to provide communications services to families and soldiers via the Video Conferencing Network. Through their work, Montana families will now be able to communicate with Marines stationed at Camp Fallujah and Soldiers Stationed at Camp Cooke. This cooperative program is organized to help the Freedom Calls Foundation fulfill its mission of connecting all deployed troops and families. As a Marine who has spent time separated from his family, it’s hard to tell you how important this kind of contact can be to our soldiers abroad, so I’d personally like to thank the Freedom Calls Foundation (www.freedomcalls.org), MSU and MTN for their work to see this project come to life. For more information on how to take part, contact the Burns Telecommunication Center at MSU-Bozeman by calling (406) 994-6550.

Fire Grants For Roundup, Moore, Martin City

I’m pleased to announce that Roundup, Moore and Martin City have each received grants through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Awards program. The Roundup Volunteer Fire Department will receive $22,050 to go towards operations and firefighter safety, and the Moore Rural Fire District and Martin City Rural Fire Department will receive $85,500 and $72,000 respectively to go towards new firefighting vehicles. Fighting fires in not an easy job, and the men and women who are out there battling these blazes deserve the best training and equipment possible to make sure they can get the job done safely. This funding goes directly towards reaching that goal, and I’m glad to see this important funding go to these deserving towns. The U.S. Fire Administration, a division of FEMA, administers the Assistance for Firefighters Grant Program. The program assists rural, urban and suburban fire departments throughout the United States. A list of all current award recipients announced to date is posted on the USFA website at: http://www.usfa.fema.gov/grants.

Funding For Displaced Workers Provided By Dept. Of Labor

Two separate grants have been awarded to Montana from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) totaling $846,744. These emergency grant funds have been allocated to workers laid off from Talk America, Bresnan Communication, and Stream International. The funding will aid approximately 465 workers in counties across the state including Silver Bow, Missoula, Cascade, Flathead, Lake, Dawson, and Lewis and Clark. Anytime you’re dealing with layoffs, it’s difficult. These funds will provide necessary job retraining and give a leg up to folks who were impacted by the layoffs and closures in these areas. I’m pleased to see these funds come available and stand ready to offer any additional help that may be needed as we get these Montanans back to work.

Department of Commerce Special Events Grant Program

Montana communities, organizations and tribal governments sponsoring or planning ongoing annual events may apply for a $50,000 state tourism "bed tax" grant from the Montana Department of Commerce Promotion Division’s Special Events Grant Program. The application deadline is January 14, 2005. Events established before May 30, 2002, are not eligible for funding under the program. The grants are designed to be matching funds for nonprofit organizations involved in developing new, annual, ongoing events. For more information about the program or to request an application, contact Carol Crockett at (406) 841-2796 or e-mail at [email protected]. Application materials can be downloaded from the Intranet at http://www.travelmontana.state.mt.us.

Funding For Wise River Volunteer Fire Department

I’m happy to announce that the Wise River Volunteer Fire Department will receive $116,100 through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Awards program to go towards a new firefighting vehicle. Fighting fires is not an easy task—our firefighters often put themselves in harms way to battle these blazes, and it’s important they have the equipment they need to get the job done. These vital resources directly impact our communities by helping firefighters respond safely and effectively to all emergencies, and I’m glad to see Wise River receive funding for a new vehicle this week. The U.S. Fire Administration, a division of FEMA, administers the Assistance for Firefighters Grant Program. The program assists rural, urban and suburban fire departments throughout the United States. A list of all current award recipients announced to date is posted on the USFA website at: http://www.usfa.fema.gov/grants.

Fair Housing Accessibility FIRST Training in Billings

Please mark your calendars for a HUD sponsored Fair Housing Accessibility FIRST Training, March 17-18, 2005 at the Sheraton in downtown Billings. This seminar will offer free resources to gather information on the Fair Housing Act and accessibility requirements for new and remodeled construction. And with only a few of these trainings held around the entire nation, we’re very fortunate to be having one in Montana. The knowledge gained there can serve as a guide to federal requirements for anyone involved in designing, building, developing, or selling/buying housing or public facilities. It’s also a good opportunity for advocates, service providers, and citizens to learn about the laws making apartments, homes and buildings open to all. To examine the Fair Housing Accessibility FIRST Training components, please visit: http://fairhousingfirst.org/trainingprogram.asp.

Military Service Academy Nominations

Each year I look forward to another round of nominations for bright, young Montana students wanting to attend our U.S. Service Academies: the Military Academy at West Point, the Naval Academy at Annapolis, the Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, and the Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs. As a former Marine, and now as your United States Senator, I enjoy the opportunity to assist those future American leaders who want to attend a U.S. Service Academy. If you are, or know of, a young man or woman interested in a top-of-the-line education and a commission to the United States Armed Forces, please contact my Academy Advisor, Lisa Wheeler, at (406) 723-3277 or (800) 344-1513. The deadline is November 1st for the following years entering class. For more information, visit my website by going to: http://www.senate.gov/~burns/index.cfm?.FuseAction=Academies.Home.

Come Home Montana

I’d like to point out the Come Home Montana Project, a great resource for anyone considering moving to Montana or anyone who wants more information about our state. The Come Home Montana Project believes in the importance of retaining, regaining and attracting talented, creative individuals to Montana. To aid in your quest home, the Come Home Montana Project has created a website where you can find community specific information that will assist you in making sound decisions in determining which community provides the best fit for your vision of the future. It’s a fantastic resource, and gives people the ability to raise their families in the kind of environment that only Montana can offer. I encourage each and every one of you to give it a look. To access the Come Home Montana website, point your web browser to: http://www.comehomemontana.org.