Dear Friend,

March is such a wonderful time in our desert – and particularly this year! With the explosion of wildflowers everywhere, it has been a special time to celebrate family holidays and enjoy our brief days of spring.  With the bright colors and fragile blossoms, the flowers remind us of everything we value about our Sonoran Desert – its ability to come back through dry, harsh times and bring us a moment of quiet beauty.

Last month, in Congress, we made a difference for the millions of Americans who have struggled over the years without affordable health insurance. This was a tough battle – not unlike our Arizona summers – but we succeeded as a nation to affirm those great American values again with the passage of health care reform, strengthening and defending all of our citizens against a broken system. I was proud, with my vote, to help make this country a better place than it was before.

I saw many of you around the district over the past month: from the incredible second annual Tucson Festival of Books, to the viewing of the copy of the Declaration of Independence to the wonderful Founder’s Day in Marana.

I especially appreciated the multitude of expressions of support that I have received as the 2010 campaign picks up steam. Read below about some of the exciting things that have been going on this month – and then make sure to come on by and join our Cactus Roots team!

Sincerely Yours,

Gabrielle

Health Reform Passage

I decided to vote for health insurance reform because it fundamentally was the right thing to do.  My decision came after a year of debate, listening to tens of thousands of Southern Arizonans and carefully examining the legislation. These reforms will make health care more affordable and accessible for the majority of my constituents ranging from children to seniors.

By ending abusive insurance company practices and offering immediate tax credits to small businesses and individuals who cannot afford to purchase coverage, we are taking a strong step toward transforming our broken health insurance system.

This historic health insurance reform law will have a direct and positive impact on Arizona and the nation.  It will bring down health care costs for families and small businesses, expand coverage to millions of uninsured children, and end the worst practices of insurance companies. And those benefits begin this year.

As a member of the fiscally responsible Blue Dog coalition, I am very pleased that this legislation is fully paid for and will reduce our budget deficit by $138 billion over the next decade.

The enactment of health insurance reform marks the culmination of an effort that stretches back generations. I cannot help but recall the words of President Richard Nixon, who spoke about this issue to Congress on Feb. 6, 1974:

“Comprehensive health insurance is an idea whose time has come in America,” Nixon said. “There has long been a need to assure every American financial access to high quality health care. As medical costs go up, that need grows more pressing. Now, for the first time, we have not just the need but the will to get this job done. There is widespread support in the Congress and in the Nation for some form of comprehensive health insurance.”

This was an historic moment for our nation. I was proud to be a part of it.  If you would like to watch a discussion of my vote that appeared on Arizona Illustrated, click here.

Solar Round-up

This has been an exciting month for solar!  Just last week, we launched – together with Environment Arizona – the report, Building a Solar Future: Repowering America’s Homes, Businesses and Industry with Solar Energy, which highlights the potential of solar energy and how solar power can enhance energy security and reduce pollution. This report shows the possibilities of solar energy and how solar is an achievable path to our energy security.

We still have work to do before solar energy can make up a large percentage of America’s energy needs, but we are moving in the right direction.  The report identifies obstacles to wider use of solar in the United States and discusses a combination of policies that could allow solar to meet 10 percent of America’s energy needs.

The week before, I introduced the Solar Schools Act which would make it more affordable for schools to install solar panels to reduce electricity costs.  This bill would allow schools to use proceeds from tax-exempt bonds to enter into pre-paid contracts for renewable energy. Publicly owned utilities already are granted just such an exemption to enter into similar contracting agreements and the bill would extend that exemption to local government entities. As we start to feel the summer sun, we are reminded why harnessing the power of the sun offers such a tremendous opportunity for Arizona, and all of America.

Border Violence

Border security along our U.S.-Mexico border has been and will continue to be one of my highest priorities. The recent cold-blooded killing of an Arizona rancher is a sad and sobering reminder of the threats to public safety that exist in our border communities.  Residents of the area are increasingly fearful of the violence that has been brought to the border and into our country by the drug cartels. This senseless murder has heightened those fears.

After this incident, I immediately went the Douglas area and met with ranchers and community members, many of whom who have been working with me on this issue since my first election. I have asked President Obama and Secretary Napolitano for immediate deployment of the National Guard to the border and also presented a five-point plan to immediately strengthen border security:

• Deployment of more Border Patrol agents, including more horseback patrols;

• Establishment of a Border Patrol forward operating base in the San Bernardino Valley;

• Improved communication among law enforcement agencies;

• Increased use of Mobile Surveillance Systems; and

• Formation of Joint Agency Task Force to coordinate local security efforts.

Robert Krentz was part of a ranching family that stretches back more than a century to Arizona’s territorial days. He served as president of the Cochise-Graham Cattlegrowers Association and, just one year ago the Krentz Ranch and family were inducted into the Arizona Farming and Ranching Hall of Fame.

My heartfelt condolences go out to the Krentz family and friends as they deal with this senseless and brutal act.  Rob Krentz was a pillar of the Cochise County ranching community. He will be greatly missed. As we hold the Krentz family in our prayers today during their memorial service, I want you to know that keeping Southern Arizona both safe and secure is my highest priority.

Celebrating 125 Years of the University of Arizona

On March 15th, we passed House Resolution 1145 that recognized the University of Arizona on its 125th birthday.

Most Southern Arizonans know how much the University of Arizona means to our community. Now, with the passage of this resolution, the nation knows as well.  It is impossible to imagine what Tucson or Arizona would be like without the University of Arizona. Like the Catalina Mountains or San Xavier Mission, it is an indispensable part of our community. On behalf of the entire House of Representatives, I would like to wish Arizona’s flagship university a very happy birthday.

The resolution recognizes March 12, 1885 as the day when Arizona’s Territorial Legislature approved the University of Arizona’s foundation with a $25,000 appropriation, 27 years before Arizona became a state. Much has changed since Old Main was the first and only building on campus, built on 40 acres of desert donated by two gamblers and a saloon-keeper. Yet the University of Arizona continues its steadfast dedication to preparing our children for the challenges of the future.

The key to our nation’s economic prosperity and international competitiveness – then and now – is math and science education. The University of Arizona is a testament to the vision of the land-grant universities established across the country, leading to the world’s premier university system that continues to this day. Whether by teaming with NASA to explore and better understand our universe or using advanced optics to harness and utilize the power of the sun, the University of Arizona forges ahead at the cutting-edge of knowledge and progress. Happy Birthday and onwards to the next 125 years of success!

Office Vandalism

I wanted to express my deep appreciation for the outpouring of support that was shared with my Tucson Congressional district office staff after the vandalism that occurred to that office this month.  I have great pride in my staff and I was deeply concerned for their safety. I do not believe that this action was representative of our community or behavior that any of us in Southern Arizona would condone. Thank you again to all of you who shared your similar concerns.

Campaign 2010

What an amazing month! With our campaign headquarters open for business, those Cactus Roots are spreading like the wildflowers.  So many of you took time this month to call or come by our office to see how you can help or support the campaign. We had over 2,400 people who contributed in the first quarter and literally hundreds of volunteers just in this first month that the office has been open.

Your Cactus Roots support is making this election work – and we appreciate everything you do from each hour of your time to your generous donation that keeps our doors open and the campaign running.

Come by anytime, lend a hand and get a sense of the energy and excitement.  It is going to be a tough race but the Cactus Roots are busy growing deep and wide!

Thank you again for your support!