Senator Conrad Burns’ Montana eNewsLetter Friday, September 30, 2005 version 5, edition 5

Homeland Security Appropriations Conference Complete

Today, the Homeland Security appropriations bill for FY06 completed its joint House-Senate conference and is now heading to their respective houses for final passage. The bill includes a total of $30.8 billion for the operations and programs of the Department of Homeland Security. Included in the bill is $18.3 million for the creation of a Northern Border Security Air Wing in Great Falls. In addition to that funding, this bill includes important funding for immigration and border security, The Federal Flight Deck Officer Program, and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) and Emergency Management Performance (EMPG) grants, including:

· $3.4 billion for first responders, including grants to state and local communities, firefighters, and emergency management

· $5.05 billion for transportation security

· $9.8 billion for border protection, immigration enforcement, and related activities, an increase of $915 million from FY05

· $32 million for the Federal Flight Deck Officer and Flight Crew Training Programs, and increase of $7 million from FY05

Securing our homeland is one of the most important things we do here in Congress. September 11th taught us that we need to tighten our security across the board, and the new Northern Border Air Base will go a long way toward that mission.

Confirmation of Judge Roberts to Supreme Court

I’d like to praise all of my Senate colleagues for our confirmation of Judge John Roberts to the Supreme Court by a vote of 78 to 22. It is important for the state of Montana that we have a qualified, fair, and competent Supreme Court Justice on the bench, and this is the kind of judge we have in John Roberts. He is a man of strong character who has stated time and time again that his allegiance is to the Constitution, and that is what we should all look for in an individual who will be seated on the Supreme Court. I was happy to vote in favor of Judge Roberts, and I am confident he will serve our country well in this new position.

$95 Million for Montana in Defense Appropriations

On Wednesday I announced that the Senate Appropriations Committee successfully passed the Defense Appropriations bill for Fiscal Year (FY) 2006, including $95,200,000 in funding for Montana projects. I’m proud to say that as a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and member of the Defense Subcommittee, I was able to play in integral role in securing this funding. A lot of this money is coming to us for research and development. It’s a way to continually make our armed forces better and stronger, with cutting-edge technology available for them. Montana has a great supply of brilliant researchers, and the infrastructure to do the work. We’re doing some amazing work here in the state, and a lot of folks don’t realize it because there aren’t smokestacks and huge factories. They’re the businesses you drive by every day and don’t give a second thought to, but they’re forming the future of our armed forces and new high-tech jobs for Montanans. In addition to the Montana-specific projects, $27,009,000 was included for the Procurement Technical Assistance Program, which provides critical assistance to small businesses seeking to participate in Department of Defense and other federal agency procurement contracts.

Burns Creates Anti-Meth Caucus

This week, I unveiled the Anti-Meth Caucus in the U.S. Senate. The group will work closely with the congressional leaders to formulate a cohesive, nationwide strategy against methamphetamine addiction. Addressing and combating the growing problem of methamphetamine addiction is vitally important to Montana. It’s one of the fastest growing drug problems faced by our country today, and it’s absolutely devastating to every life that it impacts. With this group, I intend to put the Senate on the front lines in the battle to protect our families, our communities and our state from this drug.

Japanese Sanctions May Be Necessary

This week, I expressed my frustration with the decision by the Japanese Food Safety Commission to continue their delay of resuming beef trade with the U.S. Japan closed its borders to U.S. beef exports in 2003, following the discovery of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in a Canadian-born cow in Washington State. In 2002, U.S. beef exports to Japan amounted to over $1.4 billion. The U.S. cattle industry estimates that it loses $100 million per month due to the border closure. Resuming trade with Japan is the top issue for our beef industry, and it is long past time for Japan to get serious about opening its borders. I have complete confidence in the ability of our government to keep BSE out of the food chain. The FSC is simply wrong to say there is higher risk of getting BSE from the U.S. I urge the Commission to reconsider its actions. I’m not a big fan of sanctions, but their time may have come. The Japanese Food Safety Commission is not using sound science to base their decision, and both their consumers and our producers are suffering for it. We’ve tried diplomatic channels, we’ve given them every bit of information they have asked for, and we’re still at a deadlock. These deliberations are nothing but a delay tactic.

Stimson Employees Cleared to Apply for Employment Assistance

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration has certified workers laid off from Stimson Lumber Company’s Bonner Mill for eligibility to apply for up to 24 months of assistance under the Trade Act of 1974, including retraining and re-employment funds. Last month, I wrote a letter to Labor Secretary Elaine Chao requesting the Stimson workers be treated fairly and equitably in light of the layoffs that will take effect on October 3. The favorable decision by the Department of Labor releases trade assistance funds, as the Bonner Mill is being closed due to the depressed plywood market. These folks at Stimson need as much help as we can give them. It’s a terrible loss, and they deserve the support of the federal government. I’m relieved the Department of Labor agreed to provide the assistance for the displaced workers. We’ll continue to work with them to ensure they get back on their feet while we work to resolve these softwood problems between our nation and our friends to the north.

Emergency Communication Systems

This week, the Senate Commerce Committee held a hearing focused on communications during emergency situations. At the hearing, witnesses discussed the importance of protecting critical communications infrastructure, and ways to improve the interoperability of communications systems that often exists. It was the second hearing on this topic we’ve had in two weeks, which shows just how important this topic is. I have always worked to make sure that our first responders have the tools and training they need to do their jobs in a safe and timely manner. This is an important for the everyday lives of Americans, and in the aftermath of several hurricanes this season, we can see just how important this is during a catastrophic emergency like we experienced with Katrina. We have learned some valuable lessons in the past few weeks, but it has become clear that there is work to be done. Interoperability of emergency communications systems is a critical component of national security, and it absolutely must be improved. To reach this end, I have long taken an interest in making sure the country’s 9-1-1 infrastructure is built out with the latest technology. I have heard one too many stories where a life could have been saved if a community’s system was more up-to-date, and I am committed to ensuring 9-1-1 will be able to help you when you dial those three numbers. We need to act quickly to pass legislation that will ensure our 9-1-1 system includes the latest technologies, and we need to act now.

Fire Funds for Butte, Great Falls, Libby and St. Regis

I’m pleased to announce fire department funding this week for Montana through the Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant Awards Program. The following four recipients will receive funding for operations and safety: Gore Hill Volunteer Fire Department in Great Falls, $55,813; Lincoln County Rural Fire District #1, $210,330; St. Regis Volunteer Fire Department, $104,500; and Butte Silver Bow Fire Department, $36,941. The folks who work to combat fires in our state do a tremendous job. As we find ourselves in the middle of hurricane season, with so many communities feeling the pain of the destruction they cause, it becomes increasingly clear how important it is for our first responders to have the tools and training they need during an emergency. These funds are a real boost to the men and women who are out in the fields responding to emergencies in Montana, and I am glad to see these funds heading to four of our communities. The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), a division of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), administers the Assistance for Fire Fighters Grant Program. The program assists rural, urban and suburban fire departments throughout the United States. A list of current award recipients announced to date is posted on the USFA web site at: http://www.usfa.fema.gov/fire-service/grants/. Future grant recipients will be listed as awards are made.

October is National Cyber Security Month

In light of October being National Cyber Security month, I wanted to share with you a new source of information that you can use to secure your computers from hackers and viruses, guard yourself against Internet fraud, and protect your personal information. A new website, http://www.OnGuardOnline.gov, is the result of a collaborative effort by cyber security experts, online marketers, consumer advocates, and federal officials will help you address such topics as:

· How to recognize scams on the Internet;

· How to shop securely online;

· How to avoid hackers and viruses;

· And how to deal with spam, spyware, phishing, and peer-to-peer file-sharing.

In today’s internet driven world, there’s no such thing as being too careful, so I hope you’ll familiarize yourself with these resources and put their common-sense practices to use.

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. 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.