“Many of us made those New Year’s resolutions. It’s time to check your progress against your goal.” I have made that statement to a number of friends and business associates over the last couple days. Most either say, “Who remembers?” or “It’s too early to gauge, with the weather and all.” (more…)

Growing up poor in a moral and cultural cesspool has its perks. Did I just use the plural? I meant to use the singular. The perk is, if you survive such an upbringing, you come out at the other end with stories. Yes, “stories.” That time, I meant to use the plural.

Remember how Mr. Rogers used to take you to Make-Believe Land? I’m escorting you to Make-It-Go-Away Land. There are no puppets where we’re going. If there were puppets, they’d all be carrying tiny foil spoons—for freebasing.

It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood. (more…)

My wife and I share in the joy of a 6-year-old son named Jackson. He’s a typical boy in terms of his desire for mischievous activity, continuous video game play, and constant physical activity. I get tired just writing about it! While I wish I had his energy I also wish I had his willingness to truly be open to what God might have to say or call him to consider. (more…)

The massive earthquake that devastated the Central American country of Haiti on Jan. 12  has been at the forefront of both the news and the consciousness of the American people as more information is released regarding the number of deaths, the overwhelming destruction, and the outpouring of relief from all over the world.

This earthquake is the worst natural disaster Haiti has experienced in more than 200 years. The death toll has surpassed 200,000, with more than 1.5 million survivors left homeless. Roads, ports, hospitals, and other infrastructure have been destroyed, and at least a third of Haiti’s population was affected in some way.

Americans have been responding to this devastation with overwhelming generosity, with donors contributing more than $220 million to major U.S. relief groups since Jan. 12.  Southwest Virginians have contributed supplies, time, and funds, and there have been many inspiring stories of citizens going above and beyond in order to help those affected in Haiti.

In order to encourage such charitable donations, Congress has approved and the President signed into law a measure, of which I was a cosponsor, to speed up the scheduled tax deduction for charitable contributions to Haiti. The measure enables individuals making a charitable contribution after Jan. 11 and before March 1 to the victims of the Haiti earthquake to claim these contributions as tax deductible on their 2009 tax return, instead of having to wait until 2010 to receive the deduction. Donations made by cellular phone and text messaging are included under the measure.

Also, Congress approved with my strong support, and the President has signed into law, the Emergency Aid to American Survivors of the Haiti Earthquake Act, a measure that allows use of the U.S. Repatriation Assistance Fund to reimburse states that incur the cost of assisting Americans who are returning from Haiti following the earthquake. This assistance can include travel expenses, lodging, food, and immediate medical care for American survivors of the disaster. Many have already been evacuated and returned to the U.S., but there are many more that still require support to ensure their safe return.

If you would like to donate, or want more information regarding Haiti assistance and relief efforts, please visit www.usaid.gov/haiti and see the Center for International Disaster Information contact information listed below:
CIDI Hotline: 703.276.1914
http://www.cidi.org/reg_offr.htm
http://www.cidi.org/guidelines/guide_in.htm
http://www.cidi.org/media/faq.htm
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.

As I write this on the heels of President Barack Obama’s State of the Union speech, I thought it might be nice to share what the Radford Chamber of Commerce is doing in order to help define what Radford will look like once we come out of the current recession in the city and the nation. The Radford Chamber of Commerce’s mission statement is as follows:

The Radford Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to the advancement of the quality of life and prosperity of the city, its citizens, and the business community, definining Radford as the economic and cultural hub of the New River Valley.
(more…)

 Our nation currently faces the largest federal budget deficits in its history. In the 1990s, we were able to achieve federal budget surpluses. It is time to return to the fiscally responsible policies of that era and impose fiscal discipline on federal government spending. A balanced federal budget can and must be achieved.

Toward that end, I am a cosponsor of the Securing America’s Future Economy (SAFE) Commission Act, a bipartisan measure that would force Congress to make the hard choices needed to balance the federal budget.

The bill will create a national bipartisan panel to examine all areas of federal spending and tax policies and make broad based and comprehensive recommendations to Congress for reform. The measure then requires that Congress take up the Commission’s recommendations expeditiously and approve or reject them as a whole. No amendments or negotiations would be in order.

Neither house of Congress could change the recommendations nor delay their consideration, and the bill requires Congress to give priority to the consideration of the recommendations over other congressional business.

Congress left to its own devices could balance the budget, but the process would be time consuming. Given the urgency of action, the Commission approach offers the best opportunity for restoring fiscal discipline in the near term.

The SAFE Commission is modeled after the Social Security Commission that made recommendations to Congress in 1983. Those recommendations were adopted by large majorities in both houses after brief debates. Our approach to military base closings following the fall of the Soviet Union also employed this procedure. Unlike the Social Security Commission and the base closing commission, the SAFE Act encompasses all areas of federal taxing and spending.

The SAFE Commission Act enjoys broad bipartisan support, and it is cosponsored by more than 100 Democrats and Republicans who all agree that it is time to change the nation’s financial course.  The SAFE Act will take a first necessary step toward achieving this goal, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure its enactment.

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.