I’ve done my share of snarling lately. It’s sort of my job. However, given our proximity to Independence Day, I’ve decided to take a different approach this go-round. Rather than pumping vitriol, I’m going to pump gratitude. This one is for you, America. (more…)

In 2007, the U.S. Congress approved, with my strong support, and the President signed into law a measure making the single largest investment in college financial aid since the 1944 GI Bill, helping millions of students and families pay for college. (more…)

Summer is now underway, and this summer many Southwest Virginia residents will be taking advantage of the warm, sunny weather to enjoy a day at the pool. Many community pools across the region are now open for the Summer swimming season, and it is an appropriate time for all who will be visiting the pool this year to remember safety measures that can prevent accidental pool injuries or deaths.

If you and your family will be spending time at a community or home pool this summer, the American Red Cross encourages you and your family to learn to swim and swim well. It is also a good idea for at least one member of your family to be trained in first aid and CPR. For information on swimming lessons and CPR classes in your area, visit www.redcross.org or contact your local American Red Cross chapter. Even if you and your children know how to swim, it is always best to swim in areas with lifeguards.

Most children are mature enough to learn to swim between the ages of 4 and 6; however, parent and child swim classes can include registrants even younger to lay the foundation for future swimming lessons. While children are learning to swim, they should be within arm’s reach of an adult at all times.

When choosing water toys like water wings or inner tubes, parents should remember that the only truly safe water accessory is a personal flotation device approved by the U.S. Coast Guard. Children who are not strong swimmers and rely on water wings or other inflatable toys in the pool should wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved personal flotation device (PFD). A U.S. Coast Guard label will identify an approved PFD, and in the Coast Guard stamp, you can find the weight the device is designed to support. Even if a child is wearing a PFD, children should never be left unattended around or in the water.

For adults, it is important to remember that it is never too late to learn to swim. Your local Red Cross chapter may be able to point you to an adult-only swimming class. Drowning occurs most often when the victim is not planning to swim or be in the water. It is also important to remember to avoid alcohol when swimming or around a pool. Alcohol impairs your judgment, balance and coordination and impairs your swimming ability.

For safety in and around home pools, a phone should be kept nearby as well as basic lifesaving equipment such as a pole, rope, and PFDs. CPR instructions and local emergency numbers should be clearly posted near the pool area. Home pools should be enclosed by a self-locking, self-closing fence with vertical bars, and the house should not be part of this barrier. Pool covers should be completely removed prior to pool use.

Accidents can occur around unsafe pool environments, such as pools with uncovered drains. It is important to have many layers of protection in and around the pool. All pool drains should be covered with anti-entrapment devices. Last year, Congress approved with my strong support and the President signed into law a pool safety measure that requires all pool and spa drain covers manufactured or distributed in the U.S. to meet entrapment protection standards. The measure also provides grants to states to undertake pool safety initiatives and requires the Consumer Product Safety Commission to educate the public on the prevention of drowning.

I encourage Southwest Virginians to take advantage of the many community pools across the region and to use common sense pool safety to prevent pool accidents. For further information on water safety or swimming instruction, please contact your local chapter of the Red Cross. Below are the phone numbers for chapter offices in Southwest Virginia:
·        Mountain Empire Chapter (Bristol): 276-645-6650
·        Martinsville Chapter: 276-632-5127 or 276-694-3505 for the Stuart office
·        Montgomery-Floyd Chapter (Blacksburg): 540-443-3606
·        Radford Chapter: 540-639-2140
·        Roanoke Valley Chapter: 540-985-3535

Rick Boucher is Congressman for the 9th District of Virginia, which includes the New River Valley. You can catch his Capitol Commentary regularly at newrivervoice.com.

There’s a poster of a kitten precariously hanging from a tree branch or rope.  The text on the poster says, “Hang in there” or, sometimes, “Hang in there, baby!”

No one wants to see a kitten fall out of a tree, but that moment just before it falls is iconic. The tightrope kitten poster decorates the walls of countless schools, hospitals, offices, and porno studios worldwide. The image of a kitten holding on for dear life has become more a symbol for perseverance than Oliver Twist or even Brittany Spears’ career. (more…)

I tried not to weigh in on this one. I really did. But like Garfield to lasagna, I couldn’t not devour it.

When I caught wind of the story—that David Letterman had made disparaging comments about Sarah Palin’s daughter being knocked up by a baseball star—my initial response was mixed. I avoided the details. I knew it was going to throw me up on my politico-celebrity soapbox. I avoided the story until now, when I consulted the world’s newest and most powerful god, Google, for a straight answer. From those answers, I devised opinions. I’m going to share those opinions, because that’s what loudmouthed blokes with columns do.
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I recall, sometime during my parochial elementary education, learning about the structure of our federal government and the roles of each branch. Although I was impressed with the administration and judiciary, the legislature held more of an immediate, relevant meaning for me.

Legislators, supposedly, represented their constituents and their constituents’ concerns. They were elected by a direct vote in their district or state to act ethically, create and vote on new bills for the betterment of society, and ultimately serve their constituents. Although I was far too young to vote, I, and my peers, still counted as constituents according to Sister Maria. (more…)