Monday, May 31, 2004
Up close and personal: The National World War II Memorial
Congressman Pence's Communications Director, Matt Lloyd, visited the new National World War II Memorial and Reunion this weekend. What he saw had a profound impact on he and his wife, Amy. Read Matt's firsthand account in his essay, "World War II Memorial Tells Story of Generational Differences."
Friday, May 28, 2004
Notes from the congressman: Memorial Day weekend 2004
What an extraordinary week!
Several days of breakneck travel across the 19 counties of Indiana’s 6th Congressional District were followed by an inspiring end-of-the-week radio broadcast on Network Indiana, just blocks away from the final preparations for the World War II Memorial dedication here in Washington.
This job of being a United States congressman always seems to ebb and flow between the practical work of an ombudsman to the sublime moments of significance to the nation. This week was no different.
As I wrote in earlier entries, our five-city tour with the Medicare Drug Card Fairs was an unqualified success. As you can read from the press coverage linked below, by the end of our week we had personally met with more than 1,000 seniors across eastern Indiana and I am convinced we made progress in explaining the genuine benefits and savings available to them.
By the end of the week, I returned to Washington to guest host the GARRISON radio show in Indiana from my studio on Capitol Hill. Just talking with veterans and surviving family members on the airwaves of Indiana about what this weekend and this new memorial means to that generation was truly inspiring.
As I drove by the World War II Memorial after the radio program, I breathed a prayer that those 56 pillars and the bronze wreaths on each one would be a comfort to the families who lost their loved ones in the name of freedom.
As our family prepares to head home for a weekend with friends and family at picnics, parades and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, I am confident that the high point of my weekend will be the opportunity to speak at a noon ceremony in my hometown to commemorate and remember those who never came home and whom we must never forget.
Happy Memorial Day. mrp
Pence guest hosting Garrison today...9 a.m. till noon Indiana time
Congressman Pence will guest host the Garrison program this morning from 9 a.m. till noon Indiana time. Listen live by clicking on www.wibc.com.
Pence tussles with Begala on CROSSFIRE
Congressman Pence and CNN's Paul Begala have it out again on CNN's Crossfire. Click here for the transcript.
Thursday, May 27, 2004
Pence will discuss national security on CNN's Crossfire today
Congressman Pence will be on CNN's Crossfire today at 4:30 p.m. EDT (3:30 p.m. Indiana Time) to discuss national security and foreign policy.
Click here to go to Crossfire's website.
Pence Drug Card Fair draws more than 200 in Muncie
Go here to read the story in the Muncie Star Press.
Star Press editors call WMD discovery in Iraq 'suspicious'
Click here to read the editorial.
Wednesday, May 26, 2004
Bluffton editor comments on 'light attention' given to WMDs in Iraq
Go here to read the column by Jim Barbieri in the Bluffton News-Banner.
100 seniors turn out for Richmond Prescription Drug Card Fair
Read the story in the Richmond Palladium-Item.
On the road: Fort Wayne, Indiana
It’s been a busy week out here in Heartland America! Our Medicare Drug Card Fairs are going splendidly. So far, the forums we have hosted to discuss the new prescription drug benefits in Medicare have gone very well, drawing no less than 100 seniors to each of the first three events.
Most folks show up pretty frustrated but leave feeling pretty good about their options with the new discount card. I think the big problem for folks is just getting started with the new card. With more than 70 discount cards out there, and an 800 number at Medicare that they can't get through on, they just don't know how to get the information to make the right choice.
Once we put other Internet options (like my website!) and phone numbers for individual companies in their hands, they seem genuinely relieved. I have had a few people express concerns about the impact that the full drug entitlement will have on their retirement drug coverage in 2006 but most of our discussions have focused on the timely help that is available for seniors, especially low-income seniors, right now.
When people ask me how I can be out stumping for a program I voted against, I'm always quick to say that while I did oppose the one-size-fits-all entitlement that takes effect in 2006, I always supported helping low-income seniors and using the private sector to get folks savings....which is exactly what this first phase is all about. mrp
Tuesday, May 25, 2004
Pence explains new prescription drug benefit to Columbus seniors
Go here to read the story in the Columbus Republic.
Monday, May 24, 2004
Pence comments on Medicare Prescription Drug Card Fair in Columbus
I just finished our first of five Medicare Drug Card Fairs down here in my hometown of Columbus, Indiana. The room at the Greentree Living Center was packed with seniors armed with questions about the new prescription drug benefit. After a brief presentation from our panel, I did my best "Phil Donahue" and worked the room with a microphone.
People seemed to really appreciate the chance to ask some very direct questions without waiting on hold for a Medicare representative. Most seniors seemed relieved to learn that the discount card was completely voluntary.
Others were pleased to know they could keep using private discount cards they have and sign up for a Medicare-approved card.
In the end, the folks seemed to leave in a better mood than when they arrived. A few less questions, a few more answers and, hopefully, a few families genuinely helped.
One down, four Medicare fairs to go! mrp
Friday, May 21, 2004
Pence responds to Muncie resident's criticism
I have sent the following letter to the Muncie Star Press in response to a letter to the editor published today criticizing one of the Medicare Prescription Drug Card Fairs I will be holding next week.
Dear Editor:
I read with great interest the Guest Column that you published Friday by Chrystal Smart entitled, "Pence Takes Drug Message To Wrong Audience.” In her essay, the writer expresses criticism for my efforts to assist seniors with enrollment into the new Prescription Drug Discount Card program through Medicare by hosting a series of Prescription Drug Fairs across the district next week. She notes that Westminster Village is the retirement location for "the county's, if not the state's, wealthier senior citizens,” and asks, "Why, pray tell, would they be in need of senior drug discounts?"
She points out correctly that “there are residents at other facilities besides Westminster Village in dire need of assistance with their medication costs." She then asks, "When are the scheduled information sessions for them?"
Chrystal, I am so glad you asked.
In fact, beginning Monday with the help of experts from Medicare, I will be hosting a series of five Prescription Drug Discount Card Fairs with the event in Muncie taking place on Wednesday, May 26, 2004 at 1:30 p.m. at Westminster Village. Here's a list of all of the upcoming events and times:
May 24
6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Green Tree Catered Living
4895 Pine Ridge Drive
Columbus, IN 47201
May 25
10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Richmond Senior Community Center
1600 S. 2nd Street
Richmond, IN 47374
3:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Crown Pointe Assisted Living Center
2727 Crown Pointe Circle
Anderson, IN 46012
(Half mile east of Scatterfield Road on SR 32)
May 26
10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
River Terrace Estates
400 Caylor Boulevard
Bluffton, IN 46714
(2 miles northwest of SR 1 on SR 116)
1:30 - 2:30 p.m.
Westminster Village
5801 Bethel Avenue
Muncie, IN 47304
All of these events are open to the public and the locations for these sessions were selected exclusively to accommodate the largest number of constituents in as comfortable a setting as possible. Westminster Village was kind enough to open their facility to our offices to host this program, but our goal is to reach out to the entire community and invite any and all seniors or their families to attend.
Chrystal, as you may know, I actually voted against the new prescription drug entitlement because I felt that our nation should only provide financial help to seniors struggling with the cost of prescription drugs, rather than the one-size-fits-all program that Congress enacted. In short, I agree with your sentiment that government assistance should always focus on those in need.
That being said, as the congressman for all the people of the 6th District, I felt it was important to make an effort to help seniors understand the new prescription drug discount card with these public Medicare workshops.
It is the greatest privilege of my life to be your congressman, Chrystal, and I pray daily that I might do so in a manner that reflects a servant's heart even when people misunderstand my purpose or intentions.
Respectfully,
Rep. Mike Pence
Muncie resident ridicules Pence's Medicare Prescription Drug Card Fairs in the Muncie Star Press
Read the full guest column from today's Star Press here.
Listen to the latest from the Hill
Listen to Congressman Pence on National Public Radio as he gives an update on the latest developments from Capitol Hill. Click here to listen.
Thursday, May 20, 2004
President Bush will visit with lawmakers on Capitol Hill this morning
Read about it in The Hill.
Wednesday, May 19, 2004
Fort Wayne News Sentinel editorializes on Iraq prison abuse photos
Morning Read: Claudia Rosett on U.N. Oil-for-Food program
The Wall Street Journal has a very interesting op-ed by Claudia Rosett on the U.N. Oil-for-Food program.
William Safire notes a 'rush to dismiss' the WMD discovery in Iraq
Safire discusses the noticeable lack of coverage given to the recent discovery of WMD's in Iraq. Read his full column from the New York Times here.
Pence Notes: On Congressional Reaction to WMDs Found in Iraq
So the military announces the discovery of two aged munitions in Iraq that contained weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) and nothing happens? After months of criticism in the media and in the Congress over the failure to find any evidence of WMD’s in Iraq, the surprise discovery of what are very likely Iraqi munitions containing mustard gas and sarin gas has almost been treated as a minor event in the halls of Congress!
I am astounded by this and suspect there are some who would like to wish the story away. I have even heard it said, “well, they were obviously older shells dating to years ago in the regime of Saddam Hussein.” To which I reply, “that’s exactly what we expected to find, old munitions containing chemical weapons that Saddam said he had destroyed but didn't!”
Yesterday, I attended a meeting with Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld and his senior military advisors from the Pentagon. I asked the secretary about what steps were being taken to enhance force protection for troops now that we have found WMD’s in Iraq.
His answer, while classified, was quite encouraging but it was obvious some of my colleagues didn’t appreciate the premise of my question! We went to war because we believed Saddam Hussien had WMD’s, associated with terrorists in Iraq and had an appalling record on human rights.
To the critics of our reason to go to war I ask, what’s left to prove? mrp
Tuesday, May 18, 2004
The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette is calling for the release of Iraqi prison abuse photos
Morning read: The Hill Says Pence Daughter Comes Before Prez
Pence is co-sponsoring a Hoosier Job Fair
Read about it in the Indianapolis Star.
Monday, May 17, 2004
Thoughts on 50 Years After Brown v. Board of Education
Fifty years ago today, the United States Supreme Court took an important step toward achieving the ideals of the Declaration of Independence when it rendered the decision in Brown v. Board of Education.
By rejecting the “separate but equal” doctrine, the Court rejected as a lie the idea that Americans could be divided along racial lines and still have equal access to the American dream.
We’ve made a lot of progress in recently, including the creation of a voucher program for children in the District of Columbia last year. One of my most satisfying moments in Congress was the day I skipped a ride to Indiana on Air Force One to cast the deciding vote for a the D.C. school choice program.
But as we rightly celebrate this important milestone, we do so against a backdrop of substandard performance in urban school systems that continue to fail many of our minorities with what the President calls “the soft bigotry of low expectations.”
I reject the very idea that the color of one’s skin or the size of a parent’s bank account has anything to do with a child’s ability to learn. What we need to do on this anniversary, is swing the doors of failing schools open and let the clear air of competition blow in the form of school choice vouchers.
Indianapolis is home to the Milton and Rose Friedman Foundation and the very first privately funded school choice program founded by J. Patrick Rooney, so this idea is pretty near and dear to my heart.
rown broke down the legal barriers to equal education. School choice breaks down the economic barriers to equal education. mrp
To read more about it, go to www.friedmanfoundation.org
Morning Read: Wall Street Journal columnist examines our leaders' attitudes toward Iraq
You can read the full column here.
Morning read: Cincinnati Enquirer covers the new Blog
Go here to read all about it.
Morning read: Fort Wayne Journal Gazette columnist addresses prisoner abuse in Iraq
Listen to Congressman Pence on the radio this morning
Congressman Pence will make call-in appearances on the following radio shows this morning:
8:05 a.m. Indiana Time - AM 1190 WOWO in Ft. Wayne
8:35 a.m. Indiana Time - AM 1240 WHBU in Muncie
9:05 a.m. Indiana Time - AM 1550 WMDH in New Castle
10 a.m. Indiana Time - Network Indiana, The Greg Garrison Show
Saturday, May 15, 2004
Pence tussles with Begala in the CROSSFIRE on CNN
Congressman Pence appeared on CNN's Crossfire yesterday to defend President Bush and his Iraq policy. Click here to read the transcript.
Friday, May 14, 2004
TV: CNN's Crossfire this afternoon
Congressman Pence will appear on CNN's Crossfire this afternoon at 4:30 p.m. EDT. He will debate the political fallout from the week, including the Iraq prisoner photos. The democratic guess is Rep. Al Wynn from Maryland.
Great Weekend Read: Joe Lieberman op-ed in Wall Street Journal
Joe Lieberman's take on Secretary Rumsfeld may suprise you. Make sure you take a few minutes to read his thoughts from an op-ed in Friday's Wall Street Journal.
Fort Wayne Journal Gazette: Prisoner Abuse coverage
Go here to read the full story.
Thursday, May 13, 2004
The Photos: Congressman's reaction
Yesterday I learned that Members of Congress would be permitted to view the remaining but unreleased photographs of prison abuse in Iraq. I felt it my duty to attend. I was able to stomach about 15 minutes and about a hundred pictures.
Sitting in the complete silence of a darkened room full of legislators and watching depictions of lurid images of US soldiers coercing prisoners to engage in obscene acts was revolting and saddening to me. I later told reporters that the photos were different in kind but not degree. Really, the scenes were much of what we’ve seen before just more sexual.
After seeing the photos and after yesterday’s horrendous beheading of an American at the hands of our enemies, I am more convinced than ever that we must release all the photos to the public, get beyond this controversy and return our nation’s singular focus to defeat the enemies of the free world in Iraq. mrp.
Morning Read: Washington Times story on prisoner abuse photos
Go here to read the full story.
Morning Read: Indy Star covers prison abuse photo controversy today
Congressman Pence was quoted in this story and referenced in today's lead editorial.
Wednesday, May 12, 2004
LIVE Indy radio: Dave "The King" Wilson
After viewing the latest prisoner abuse photos, Congressman Pence will appear LIVE on Dave "The King" Wilson's show at 5:15 EDT. Listen LIVE by clicking here.
Good read: Prisoner abuse
The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette ran a story today about the Iraqi prisoner abuse.
Pence thoughts on the question of releasing photographs
Yesterday I had a chance to talk to many of my colleagues about the prison abuse scandal and I found that most were as angry as I am about the disgraceful behavior at Abu Ghraib prison but also anxious to get beyond it and get back to winning the war.
I told a lot of colleagues on the floor that I thought we needed to release all the photos in one lump, prosecute the soldiers and commanders involved and then we could move on. I sent a letter to Secretary Rumsfeld urging the Pentagon to do just that.
As I said to members who disagreed with me, I believe it is not "if the photos come out," it is "when." As such, we should do as Lincoln said, "Give the people the facts and the Republic will be saved." In this case, it might just be the Iraqi Republic we are saving.mrp
Photo with President Reagan
My first run for a seat in the U.S. Congress was in 1988, at the age of 29. During that campaign, I had the chance to meet President Reagan at a photo opportunity in the Blue Room of the White House.
You can read more about it, and see the picture in today's Roll Call.
Ball State update: Jo Ann M. Gora named new president
Read more about Ball State's new president in The Muncie Star Press.
Local News: Muncie Star Press story covering Pence's call for the release of prison abuse evidence
Tuesday, May 11, 2004
Local news: Indy Star is reporting Ball State University is expected to name its new president today
Click here to read more about this story.
The Week Ahead: Going LIVE on the Internet
It should be a memorable week for the 6th District staff in Washington. In addition to unveiling our new and improved website, this week I will host a live web broadcast on the Internet from Capitol Hill that will be seen by millions of school kids around America. The Internet program is known as the Digital Field Trip and is sponsored by the Smithsonian Institute and our own Ball State University. Several members of Congress are joining me for the Thursday live Internet broadcast where kids from all over America will participate in a mock Congressional hearing.
Muncie will also come to the Hill as we welcome a delegation of city officials to talk economic development. In the midst of hearings on Iraq (Thursday) and continued negotiations over the budget resolution with the Senate, it should be a busy week to be sure! mrp
Go here to read Roll Call's coverage of my new website.
Monday, May 10, 2004
Pence addresses Iraqi prisoner abuse on WISHTV
Congressman Mike Pence voiced his support for Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld this morning during a press conference at the Indianapolis International Airport.
Read more about it in this story on WISHTV's website.
Press Briefing: Pence meets with Indianapolis TV reporters at airport press conference
Today I met with television reporters from WISHTV and WRTV6NEWS at the Indianapolis International Airport to discuss the prison abuse controversy in Iraq from the perspective of a member of the International Relations Committee. I said that what happened at Abu Ghraib Prison was a disgrace but it is in no way indicative of the daily contribution of tens of thousands of courageous men and women serving in uniform in Iraq.
I also applauded the decision to move immediately to court martial trials beginning May 19 saying that the United States must bring those responsible for these despicable acts to swift and certain justice because the entire world is watching.
I also announced that I will be sending a letter to Secretary Rumsfeld this week urging that the Department of Defense should immediately make all known photographic and video records of prison abuse available to the public. The slow release of records one at a time creates a much worse impression than the sum total ever could.
As to calls for Defense Secretary Rumsfeld’s resignation, I said that I believe Secretary Rumsfeld is a great American who has led our nation’s military with courage and tenacity through 9-11, two wars and a Pentagon transformation, and he must not be lightly discarded. mrp
Thursday, May 06, 2004
Pence participates in National Day of Prayer service
In the midst of a hectic Thursday on Capitol Hill, I had a few moments of peace and quiet reflection as I attended a prayer service for the National Day of Prayer. It is a profoundly encouraging thing, particularly in these troubled times, to gather with men and women, Democrats and Republicans, for the simple purpose of praying for our nation and our leaders. After the service, I walked out of the Cannon Building on my way to the Capitol with the echoes of the hymns being sung by the faithful just three floors up ringing through the halls above me.mrp
Click here for more information on the National Day of Prayer.
Wednesday, May 05, 2004
Pence talks budget with conservative Republican Study Committee
Today the Conservative Republican Study Committee heard from Budget Committee Chairman Jim Nussle and Majority Leader Tom Delay on status of the budget negotiations with the Senate.
Local Issues: Pence meets with Anderson Mayor Kevin Smith to discuss economic development plan
Tuesday, May 04, 2004
Primary Day News: Pence returns home to cast vote in May primary election at Clifford Fire Station in Columbus
Today I flew home to Indiana to cast my vote in the May Primary election in person at the Clifford Fire Station in Columbus. Lots of friends told me I should just vote by absentee ballot but, for me, that would be like phoning in Christmas. I so enjoy standing outside my home precinct and chatting with my neighbors. I found out that the field behind my house is getting soybeans this year and I got an early sense that a close friend would score a big win in the governors race. I hope I can always be home on election day. There's nothin like the view you get from the Clifford Fire Station!
Read more about the primary results in this story from the Muncie Star Press
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