A Weekly e-Newsletter from
Senator Johnny Isakson (R-GA) 

September 7, 2007

Dear Friends,

This week the Senate returned from the August recess.  I spent much of the last month traveling around Georgia to hear from citizens on a wide array of issues we’ve been discussing in Washington – from the war in Iraq to the mortgage industry’s recent troubles.  I chaired a Senate Veterans Affairs hearing in Augusta to examine the collaboration between the Augusta VA Medical Center and Eisenhower Army Medical Center in caring for wounded soldiers and I met soldiers receiving care at the facility.  The Augusta VA Medical Center operates the nation’s only medical rehabilitation unit within the VA system for active duty military personnel.  In addition, I toured Ft. Benning, met soldiers there and viewed some of their training.  I also made stops in other Georgia cities, including Clarkesville, Cornelia, Douglasville, Greensboro, Griffin, Ellijay, Perry, Rome, Villa Rica and Warm Springs.  Last Sunday, September 2, The Washington Post published an article on some of my stops around the state and what I’ve been hearing on Iraq.  To read the article and view photos, click here. 

Iraq

I made a floor speech on Iraq when I returned to Washington this week.  I heard over and over during my travels around the state that Georgians remain overwhelmingly supportive of our troops and the mission in Iraq.  The United States is on its way to achieving the final of the three goals outlined by President Bush when the United States first authorized the engagement in Iraq. The first goal was to depose Saddam Hussein and find, if they existed, weapons of mass destruction. The second goal was to allow the Iraqi people to hold free elections and establish a government of their choosing. The third goal was to adequately train the Iraqi military so it could successfully defend and protect the new government.

General David Petraeus, who leads the Multinational Forces-Iraq Command, is expected to deliver a progress report to Congress on the president’s new strategy next week.  I am committed to doing what I can to give us a chance to finish the job, win the victory the president outlined at the outset of our entering Iraq, and honor the sacrifice of the 3,700 or more Americans who have given their life in the effort.

Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations

On Thursday, the Senate passed the Fiscal Year 2008 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Bill, which provides important funds for construction at the nation’s military bases and for the Department of Veterans Affairs.  The legislation includes $481 million for construction at military bases in Georgia, which is the sixth largest amount of any state in the nation.  These funds will greatly benefit our bases, our troops and their families.  Georgia’s military facilities play a key role in the security of our nation, and I am very pleased to see such a strong commitment to them from Washington. 

In addition to providing $21.56 billion in total military construction funding nationwide, the bill provides $8.17 billion in funding for implementation of Base Realignment and Closure, including $250 million for Georgia military installations, which continue to grow and gain missions as a result of the 2005 BRAC round.  To review highlights for Georgia in the bill, click here.

The bill also includes $89.9 billion in funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs, including key funds for the health care needs of America’s Veterans. The bill provides $28.98 billion for Veterans Medical Services, which is $1.81 billion above the administration’s request and $3.46 billion above fiscal year 2007 levels. Overall, spending for Veterans Affairs has increased $9.75 billion over last year.  As a member of the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs, one of my top priorities is to make sure we take care of the veterans who have dedicated their lives to serving our country. This VA funding reflects the strong commitment we must make to the men and women who have served so ably.

Resolution Honoring Warner Robins Team on Little League World Champions

Senator Chambliss and I introduced a resolution this week to honor the members of the Warner Robins American Little League team from Warner Robins, Ga. who defeated Tokyo Kitasuna Little League team of Japan on August 26, 2007, to win the 61^st Annual Little League Baseball World Series Championship.  The final score of the game was 3-2.  The Senate unanimously approved the resolution Wednesday evening.  These fine young men played wonderful baseball all the way through the tournament, but in those final two games against Texas and Japan, they played like true professionals.  This team brought great pride to our state, great pride to their parents and great pride to the city of Warner Robins. 

Warner Robins is the third Georgia team to win the Little League Baseball World Series in the 61-year history of the series. Last year Columbus Northern Little League claimed the World Series title and East Marietta defeated Japan for the title in 1983. Georgia is only the fourth state to produce back-to-back champions and the first state to win back-to-back titles since 1992-1993. 

What’s on Tap for Next Week?

The Senate will begin debate on the appropriations bill for Transportation and Housing and Urban Development Departments in fiscal 2008. In addition, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, of which I am a member, will hear testimony from General Petraeus on the progress in Iraq.

Sincerely,
Johnny Isakson