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2003 Op Ed Archive |
Celebrating The Holidays By Remembering The Sacrifices
December 19, 2003, As we gather with family and reminisce during this holiday season, we should be grateful to live in a nation that enjoys unprecedented prosperity and freedom. And as Middle Tennesseans, we are fortunate to live in a region that boasts breathtaking beauty and enviable quality of life.
Protecting Yourself Against Identity Theft
December 11, 2003, Identity theft has become a huge and costly problem for the American consumer. According to the Federal Trade Commission, 27.3 million Americans have been victims of identity theft in the last five years, including almost 10 million Americans in the last year alone.
A Fitting Tribute To America's World War II Generation
December 5, 2003, World War II was a brutal struggle against tyranny. About 61 million people died because of the war, including more than 405,000 Americans. The spirit, sacrifice and commitment of that struggle should never be forgotten.
Continuing The Fight For Fair Tobacco Buyout
November 14, 2003, Because Congress is getting ready to adjourn this year, the deadline to complete tobacco-buyout legislation is fast approaching. While I have been pushing tirelessly such legislation for a vote, leadership in both the House and the Senate has, for months now, failed to respond.
Don't Forget Past Sacrifices And Commitments
October 31, 2003, Too often we take for granted the freedoms we enjoy as citizens of the United States of America. We shouldn't ever forget about the sacrifices that have been made to keep this nation free and safe, especially at a time when our military men and women are in harm's way.
America First
October 16, 2003, Faced with a record budget deficit and pressing needs here at home, it's just not responsible to give Iraq $20 billion in foreign aid, a country second only to Saudi Arabia in oil reserves.
Gordon Hopeful New Tobacco Buyout Measure Becomes Law
October 3, 2003, Several forms of buyout legislation designed to provide tobacco farmers and their communities with relief from dwindling quotas have been floating around Washington for the last few years.
National Do-Not-Call List Up And Running
October 1, 2003, Despite recent legal challenges to establishing a national Do-Not-Call list, Tennesseans who have signed up to be on the list can expect the number of unwanted telephone solicitations to decrease in their households.
Nation's Economy Depends On Small-Business Community
September 17, 2003, As the U.S. Small Business Administration celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, it's important for all of us to remember just how vital small businesses are to the nation's economy.
New Tobacco Buyout Legislation Introduced
September 17, 2003, The move toward a tobacco buyout in Congress continues to make steady progress. Over the next several weeks, a critical time for buyout legislation, I will be writing a weekly column to stay in touch with the thousands of farmers and dozens of farm communities that have an interest in the buyout's progress. I will continue to aggressively pursue a fair and equitable buyout so Middle Tennessee farmers can have relief from declining quotas and farm income.
Now's The Time For A Tobacco Buyout
July 29, 2003, Tennessee's rural agricultural economy depends on tobacco to the tune of almost a quarter billion dollars in annual cash receipts with more than 500,000 people making a living in a tobacco-related job. But these statistics don't tell the whole story.
TVA Faces Deregulation Issues
July 23, 2003, For the past 70 years, residents of the Tennessee Valley have had access to affordable and reliable electricity for their homes and businesses. I want to make sure that tradition continues.
Struggle For Independence Never Ends
June 27, 2003, Independence Day is a fitting time to celebrate all that's good in this nation because our democracy is a beacon for the rest of the world. As Americans, we are able to enjoy the fruits of a society that is free, prosperous and caring.
Thanking Dad For All His Support
June 9, 2003, A father's role as protector, provider and mentor to his children plays an integral part of their success in life. A child who knows a father's love is generally more happy, well-adjusted and respectful to others.
Proposed VA Budget Dismisses Thousands Of Mid-State Veterans
April 28, 2003, The Department of Veterans Affairs has once again shown a disregard for the very people they are charged to help. A new budget proposal would force almost 24,000 Tennesseans, including 8,200 Middle Tennessee veterans, out of the VA health-care system. That's a dereliction of duty for the VA.
America Supports Its Military Troops
April 11, 2003, Freedom shouldn't be taken for granted. Our own freedom has been the result of much hard work and sacrifice from our forefathers. They fought a king who cared little for the American colonies except the taxes they paid.
Providing A Safe Environment For Children
March 28, 2003, With the events in Afghanistan and Iraq dominating the front pages of newspapers and the screens of our televisions, it's hard to ignore the violence that plagues our world. We all experience some sort of anxiety during these uncertain times. But the real test of the American spirit lies in how our society deals with adversity.
Restoring Confidence In Our Nation's Space Program
February 7, 2003, Recently losing seven of the world's best men and women on the space shuttle Columbia brought back memories of the Challenger tragedy 17 years ago. I was a new congressman serving on the House Space, Science and Technology Committee at that time.
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