Weekly Columns

September 30, 2005

Securing Our Nation’s Mass Transit Systems

On the morning of July 7th, terrorists exploded three bombs on underground trains in central London. A fourth bomb destroyed a double-decker bus. Fifty-two innocent people were...

September 23, 2005

Protecting Our Waterfronts

All along our nation''s coasts are harbors that were once full of the sights, sounds, and smells that accompany the fishing industry. Unfortunately, a number of factors are...

September 16, 2005

Recovering From Hurricane Katrina

Hurricane Katrina was the worst natural disaster in our nation's history, inflicting suffering and deprivation upon hundreds of thousands of individuals and families in the Gulf...

September 11, 2005

Honoring The 9-11 Victims

On the fourth anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001, throughout our nation and around the world, the victims of those attacks are remembered with heartfelt...

September 02, 2005

Honoring The Brave Veterans Of World War II

Our debt to the heroic men and valiant women in the service of our country can never be repaid. They have earned our undying gratitude. America will never forget their sacrifices....

August 26, 2005

BRAC Decisions Bring Jubilation And Disappointment To Maine

Jubilation and relief were tempered by disappointment in Maine with the decisions of the Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC). As we celebrate the good news regarding...

August 19, 2005

Making Preparedness A Priority

As horrific attacks on 9/11 in the United States, and subsequent attacks in London, Madrid, Besland, and Bali demonstrate, the threat of terrorism is still very real. By...

August 12, 2005

The Lifeblood Of Economic Development

When Mainers travel each day along our roads and highways and over our many bridges, few stop to think about how important the transportation infrastructure is to our state and...

August 05, 2005

Community Health Centers Offer Critical Care

Nearly 15 million uninsured and medically underserved Americans rely on America's community health centers for primary health care. Ensuring that these health care centers are...

July 29, 2005

Protecting Our Fishermen

Recent portrayals of the commercial fishing industry in film and literature have provided the American public with glimpses of the challenges and dangers associated with earning a...

July 15, 2005

“Christening The FARRAGUT, Another BIW Success”

The christening of a Navy ship at Bath Iron Works (BIW) is always an extraordinary event. This year, only one ship, the FARRAGUT (DDG 99), will be christened; and I am delighted to...

July 08, 2005

Defending Maine’s Installations To BRAC Commissioners

On July 6th, I joined other members of the Maine and New Hampshire delegations in defending our State's outstanding military bases to the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC)...

July 01, 2005

Reducing Harmful Mercury

Mercury is a potent neuro-toxin that is particularly harmful to children and pregnant women. When mercury enters the environment, it takes on a highly toxic organic form known as...

June 24, 2005

Falmouth 11-Year-Old Highlights Need For Diabetes Research

Recently the halls of Congress were filled with 150 children representing every state in the country. These children were not in Washington, D.C., for a relaxing vacation or school...

June 17, 2005

Cracking Down On Government Contractors Who Cheat On Their Taxes

We expect individuals and companies that do business with the federal government to be of the highest ethical caliber. Federal law requires that they be deemed "responsible," and...

June 10, 2005

Stem Cell Research Holds Promise

Millions of Americans suffer from diabetes, cancer, heart disease, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, and a host of other diseases or conditions that...

June 03, 2005

Preventing Abuse Of Federal Disaster Assistance

For many people who are true victims of natural disasters, federal disaster assistance programs are essential to rebuilding their homes and lives. The critical nature of this...

May 13, 2005

Preserving Maine’s Forests

The people of Maine have always been faithful stewards of the forest because we understand its tremendous value to our economy and to our way of life. From the vast tracts of...

May 06, 2005

Maine Businesses Earn National Honors

What do pure, clean groundwater and unbruised bananas have in common? The answer is that both are the result of two innovative Maine businesses and the energetic, committed, and...

April 29, 2005

Nurses Needed

I recently was honored to receive the "Friend of Nursing Award" for the University of Maine School of Nursing and Husson College School of Nursing during a ceremony in Orono....