Edition 29

Dear Friend,

Summer is upon us and so is the re-election campaign!

It has been an exciting month.  I am now an official candidate as I filed my nomination petitions (and the Cactus Roots turned in the largest number of signatures in the history of a Congressional campaign in Tucson - see the story below.)

I was able to be at the University of Arizona to watch the impressive success with the Phoenix Mars Landing which will allow us to gain knowledge that was impossible before.

And for me personally, the most exciting event has been the launch of the Space Shuttle Discovery. With my husband as the commander and a talented crew working together, I have never felt such pride as an American to witness what our space program can do. As we celebrate Flag Day this week, my thoughts are with the flag from Willcox that went with them to fly for the first time in space.

Back in the district, there were important policy decisions made this month — I have highlighted a few below that I felt were particularly significant to our district.

Finally, we have many opportunities to work on the campaign and we need you!  I hope during these slow days of summer that you will drop by if you have a chance. The energy and enthusiasm in the campaign headquarters is electric.

Thanks again for all of your support — let’s keep working together!

“Drug Czar” Visits Tucson

This month, I had the opportunity to host a meeting with John Walters, director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, with 40 community and law enforcement leaders from southern Arizona.  Our first agenda was the Merida Initiative — the U.S. government’s recent multi-year plan to combat illegal narcotics by providing equipment, training and technical assistance to law enforcement agencies in Mexico and Central America. As the nation’s “Drug Czar,” Walters coordinates all aspects of federal drug control programs and spending. Walters was invited to come and speak to law enforcement here as much of the drug trade seeps heavily into America through the Tucson sector of the border.

The Merida Initiative was recently approved by the House and the Senate,  including important revisions that I proposed.  These revision call for greater accountability and transparency,  consultation with Arizona and other state law enforcement agencies throughout the process, and the establishment of measurable benchmarks for success.  I also called for increasing the assistance to U.S. law enforcement agencies to match those given for foreign assistance.  The final bill incorporated these recommendations.
League of Conservation Voters Endorsement

Yesterday, I received the endorsement from one of the outstanding organizations who work to protect Arizona’s natural environment and promote conservation and alternative energy. Here are a few comments from their press release:

“In only two years in Congress, she has become one of the great champions of clean energy and of protecting our planet for future generations,” LCV Deputy Legislative Director Tim Greeff said.  “To move forward into a clean, renewable energy future, America needs more leaders like Gabrielle Giffords.”

“Throughout her career, both in the Arizona legislature and in Congress, Gabrielle Giffords has worked to protect Arizona’s natural beauty and the health and safety of our citizens,” AZLCV Board President Jessica Catlin said.  “We are proud of her record in Congress, and believe that a clean future for Arizona could not be in better hands.”

To see the full endorsement, click here.

Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords accepts the endorsement from LCV Deputy Legislative Director Tim Greeff

Saving Arizona Jobs

As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, this month, I was able to add an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act which halted the consolidation of jet maintenance operations at all Air National Guard bases nationwide. The amendment now requires the Air Force to receive approval from the Air National Guard before any maintenance operation is closed. The result of this amendment is that the Air Force was stopped from moving an F-16 fighter jet maintenance facility out of Tucson, saving an estimated 200 jobs.

Across the country, Air National Guard units like the 162nd Fighter Wing have maintenance personnel working on the same type of aircraft, and in some cases, the same tail number for their entire careers.  The removal of these jobs in guard units would likely result in a permanent loss of these highly-experienced professionals nationwide.  When they leave the guard, that experience and expertise is lost, and a valuable resource is lost along with it.

If the consolidation program proposed by the Air Force had gone forward, the 162nd would have lost 200 highly experienced maintenance personnel. This unit is responsible for international pilot training on the F-16, and supports the Air Sovereignty Alert mission in the southwestern United States. It has a stellar safety record, operating with an accident rate roughly 50 percent lower than the rest of the military’s F-16 force.

I am convinced that the safety record of the 162nd  is due in no small part to the highly-experienced maintenance crews that repair and maintain the aircraft stationed in Tucson.  Removing these skilled service men and women at a time when the readiness of the U.S. military and its equipment are already in jeopardy is unacceptable.  With my amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act, the act, H.R. 5658, passed the full Armed Services committee on May 14th.

Campaign 2008: We Turned in the Signatures!

On Saturday June 7th, I joined 161 of our cactus root volunteers and supporters to share in the celebration of all of your hard work that resulted in our turning in 11,742 signatures to put my name on the ballot in 2008.

It was so wonderful to take a moment and recognize the hard work of all 434 volunteers who collected signatures to put my name back on the ballot.  Congratulations to our top collector, Irma Rubin, gathered an astounding 457 signatures.  We also recognized our other two top collectors, Eric Fuller and Doris Gerganoff.

Perhaps the highlight of the event was when the Summer interns surprised me with a birthday cake and banner while the crowd sang Happy Birthday!

Thank you Cactus Roots!

Don’t Forget your Can!

As part of our petition drive, we collected cans for the Southern Arizona Community Food Bank. As we filed our signatures, interns  presented a contribution of 88 pounds of food and $230 campaign to the Community Food Bank to fight hunger here in Southern Arizona.  This makes a huge difference to the lives of those in Southern Arizona who need this assistance.

However, the food bank is low in resources this summer.  They are making a specific call for canned meat, vegetables, and fruit.  As a response, we will continue to collect canned items for the food bank throughout the summer.  Come by to meet the campaign staff, volunteer and don’t forget your can!

Spend your 4th of July with Us!

Celebrating the 4th of July by getting involved! We will have volunteers around the district,  participating in parades and fairs.    If you would like to help out the campaign, please drop by our campaign headquarters, 4444 E. Grant, any time and sign up.  We have work you can do also from our office, on the street or at your home.  Together we are working for another victory on November 4th!

Sincerely yours,

Gabrielle Giffords