Chet Edwards For Congress - National Security

A Strong National Defense & the War on Terrorism

Kat — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 19:00:49 -0700

Supporting a Strong National Defense & the War on Terrorism:

Chet Edwards is a leader in Congress on national defense issues. As Chairman of the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Subcommittee and co-chairman of the bipartisan House Army Caucus, Chet is a recognized leader in Congress on national defense issues and a strong voice for supporting our men and women in uniform and seeing that they have the resources to fight the war on terror and defend our homeland.

Chet is a strong supporter of the war on terrorism and has worked hard to see that our troops in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere around the globe have the equipment and tools they need to do their jobs.

Chet led the effort to stop the Department of Defense from cutting two divisions of the Army - some 40,000 active-duty troops - in 2001.

Chet introduced the Military Retiree Health Care Protection Act to block increases in TRICARE premiums for military retirees and reservists.

Chet led the fight to create a new, innovative public-private partnership to build new housing for military families, a program the Bush Administration has called “the most important military housing program in American history.”

As the Congressman for Fort Hood for 14 years, Chet successfully secured $1 billion in military construction funds for the post, dramatically improving the quality of life for Army soldiers and their families. Chet has continued to work for Fort Hood soldiers and their families, obtaining $ 13.4 million in the last two years for key construction projects, even though the post is now in another congressional district.

Chet served as co-chairman of the bipartisan House/Senate National Security Caucus, which has over 270 members.

Chet has fought for our soldiers when both Democratic and Republican administrations have tried to cut housing allowances, retiree pay, education for military children and danger pay for troops in Iraq.

Chet introduced the bill to double life insurance payments under the Servicemembers Group Life Insurance program.

In recognition of his efforts in support of the military and veterans, Chet has been honored with numerous awards including:

2008 American Legion Distinguished Service Award given to only one member of Congress
2008 Veterans of Foreign War Congressional Award
2007 Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) Award
2006 Military Coalition Award of Merit
2006 National Guard Association Charles Dick Medal of Merit
2006 Exemplary Legislator – National Association of Mental Illness’ Veterans Council
2005 Military Order of the Purple Heart’s National Inspirational Leadership Award for work in Congress on important veterans’ issues.
2005 National Inspirational Leadership Award from the Military Order of the Purple Heart
2004 American Legion Unsung Hero Award
2004 American Legion Meritorious Service Award
2004 “Going to Bat for Veterans” Award –- National Disabled American Veterans
2004 Support of Military Families Award from The National Military Family Association (NMFA). The award recognizes service and dedication to improving the quality of life for uniformed service members and their families.
2004 “Going to Bat for Veterans” Award -- National Disabled American Veterans
2004 Champion for Children -- Military Impacted Schools Association
2003 Legislator of the Year -- Association of the United States Army
2003 Harry S. Truman Award -- National Association of Federally Impacted Schools
2002 USO Quality of Life Award
1998 Legislator of the Year from the bipartisan National Security Caucus
1996 L. Mendel Rivers Award of Excellence from the Air Force Sergeants Association for stopping the plan to reduce military retirement pay
1996 True Champion for Military School Children Award by the National Military Impacted Schools Association (MISA)
1995 FRIEND OF IMPACT AID NATIONAL AWARD from The National Association of Federally Impacted Schools (NAFIS)
1995 National Security Leadership Award from the American Security Council

Defending our Homeland

Kat — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 12:15:15 -0700

Defending our Homeland

As a member of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, Chet is a leader in the Congress on improving our homeland security programs to protect America.

Chet's recent work on the Homeland Security Appropriations Committee has led to: 5,700 additional border patrol agents, $1.69 billion for cargo inspection at our nation's ports, and $400 million for security grants at U.S. ports.

Chet has led the fight to secure nuclear materials in the former Soviet Union so that highly-enriched uranium does not fall into the hands of terrorists.

Chet secured $84 million to install nuclear detection devices at foreign ports to inspect ship containers bound for the United States.

As a member of the Appropriations Committee, Chet helped kill the Dubai Ports deal in 2006.

Chet has led the successful fight against attempts to cut funding for the National Emergency Response and Rescue Training Center (NERRTC) at Texas A&M. Proposed cuts would have meant 30,000 fewer police and firefighters would be trained, but Chet Edwards fought to see that these first responders would be trained to protect our local communities from terrorist attacks and natural disasters.

Chet secured support for Texas A&M to conduct research and collaborate with the U.S. Dept. of Energy and Russian universities to help curb the proliferation of nuclear materials and weapons across the world. This important work led Texas A&M to establish the Nuclear Security Science and Policy Institute .

Reserve Center may be replaced

Kat — Fri, 23 May 2008 22:04:30 -0700

Reserve Center may be replaced

By MATTHEW WATKINS | Bryan-College Station Eagle | Eagle Staff Writer | May 24, 2008

Edwards:"Members of the 420th Engineering Brigade need facilities that effectively train and equip them to carry out their national security responsibilities. This funding is an important first step that will pave the way for a new Army Reserve Center for the 420th Engineering Brigade."

A spending bill that's making its way through Congress is set to give area soldiers a long-awaited Memorial Day gift.

The National Defense Authorization Act for 2009 has been earmarked to include $920,000 to hire architects and planners to design a new Army Reserve Center in Brazos County, according to U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards, D-Waco.

It will replace a building that is home to the 420th Engineering Brigade, a reserve unit that "commands and controls assigned engineer assets," according to the brigade's Web site. The brigade has 22 subordinate units and more than 2,500 reserve soldiers.

Captains at the center did not return calls Friday.

The unit moved to Bryan in 1958 and has remained in the same building on West Carson Street since. Officers at the center have requested improvements for years.

According to Edwards, the building has foundation problems that have caused separation in the walls and cracked floors. The building also doesn't meet current military force protection requirements because it is too close to the street.

"Members of the 420th Engineering Brigade need facilities that effectively train and equip them to carry out their national security responsibilities," said Edwards in a statement announcing the appropriation. "This funding is an important first step that will pave the way for a new Army Reserve Center for the 420th Engineering Brigade."

Edwards chairs the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs.

The bill, H.R. 5658, must be passed by the U.S. Senate and signed by President Bush before it becomes law. It was approved by the House, 384-23, on Thursday.

Edwards said that after completion of the design stage, he would include an additional $12 million for the center's construction in spending bills.

Local company develops Army devices

econnor — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 12:11:31 -0700

March 24, 2008

Local company develops Army devices

The Bryan College Station Eagle

By HOLLY HUFFMAN |Eagle Staff Writer

American soldiers may some day soon be able to immediately detect chemical and biological threats through the use of small portable hand-held devices that currently doesn't exist in the field.

And rather than lug around 80 pounds of disposable batteries, military troops may have rechargeable units to power their computers and night vision equipment.

Meanwhile, small spy planes that now fly less than two hours at a time may one day have batteries that are strong enough to keep the small aircraft in the air for half a day.

These technological breakthroughs in national defense and homeland security were unveiled Monday at Lynntech Inc, a College Station-based research and development company. The work is part of a $2.6 million congressional earmark secured last year by U.S. Congressman Chet Edwards. The funding was designated for fiscal year 2008.

"This is an important program because it is about protecting the lives of service men and women in harm's way who are protecting our country," the Democrat from Waco said Monday while visiting the Lynntech lab. "We have a moral obligation to do everything possible to protect our troops and bring them home safely."

Lynntech CEO John Clanton said the company has been working on the technologies involved with the projects for the past four years. In addition to the congressional funding, the company previously was awarded about $850,000 from the defense department, he said.

Oliver Murphy, Lynntech co-founder and chief technological officer, said all three projects are in similar stages of development. Each has about a year to go before being sent to the Army for testing, which he said could take another year.

The bulk of the congressional funding will go toward the development of the handheld threat detection system. The small, green prototype on display Monday is just a fraction of the size of its large, boxy predecessor.

In addition to saving soldiers lives, Murphy and Edwards said that the device also could be used as a tool for emergency responders called to plumes of strange smoke or unknown gases. Such a device, which could instantaneously determine the type of gas and its lethality, could have be used earlier this year when the toxic chemical ricin was found in a Las Vegas motel, the pair said.

"Maybe it's Baghdad today, but tomorrow it could be Las Vegas," Murphy said.

The funding also will be used for further development with fuel cells used to power military equipment in the field.

Lynntech scientists are working to lengthen the life of batteries used on spy planes, which would keep the aircraft aloft for longer periods of time. Currently, the planes, which have a 13-foot wing span, can only fly for about two hours, which means soldiers must carry them from place to place, scientists explained.

A 12-hour battery would allow the plane to fly in formation above the troops until coordinates were entered remotely. The plane then could fly over an area in question, automatically download its data and return to formation, scientists explained.

"We can save troops' lives," Murphy said. "This technology is probably the next major breakthrough in real time intelligence."

The researchers said they also are developing rechargeable batteries that can be used in the field. Currently, soldiers must carry with them between 60 and 80 pounds of disposable batteries, which are discarded once the power is drained.

Having rechargeable units would allow troops to carry just a couple sets of batteries, giving them more room for food and other basic necessities.

"That's amazing," Edwards said as he and Lynntech scientists walked around a large table displaying each of the three projects. "The bottom line is you end up saving lives. That's what it's all about."

Brazos Valley tallies $41 million in earmarks

econnor — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 22:09:42 -0700

Saturday, December 29, 2007

BV tallies $41 million in earmarks

The Bryan College Station Eagle

By JANET PHELPS |Eagle Staff Writer

More than $41 million will be poured into Brazos Valley projects next year, thanks to earmarks by U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards, D-Waco.

President Bush criticized special project money as "wasteful government spending" when he signed the $555 billion bill Wednesday that funds the Iraq war into 2008 and keeps government agencies running through September.

The money will go to 16 projects in Brazos, Robertson, Madison and Grimes counties. The projects range from high-profile aerospace engineering and biofuel research at Texas A&M University to a small, church-based drug prevention program.

Edwards said Friday he was proud of the federal money he secured for local projects because it's an effective way to encourage local growth.

The Constitution gives Congress the power to make appropriations, he said, and earmarks allow local leaders to identify and receive funding for projects they see as important.

"I believe [locally initiated projects] make more sense than letting some bureaucrat in the Office of Management and Budget in Washington, D.C., make decisions about what projects to fund," he said. "I would challenge anyone to criticize agricultural research at A&M or emergency response training that help make our cities safer."

A majority of the $41.6 million will go to Texas A&M, including $985,000 for biofuels research and $705,000 for aerospace engineering projects that are used by NASA for lunar and Mars exploration.

Ken Peddicord, director of Texas A&M's Texas Engineering Experiment Station, said the funding is an important step in advancing research into new energy sources.

Texas A&M's BioEnergy Alliance -- a partnership between the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station and the Texas Engineering Experiment Station -- has developed groundbreaking research in alternative fuels such as sorghum that do not come from food sources, he said.

"This money allows the program to strike off in new directions, to move away from corn and ethanol," he said.

St. Joseph Health System also received money for repairs to its Madisonville hospital.

Gentry Woodard, director of legislative affairs and grants for the St. Joseph Health System, said employees at the 57-year-old hospital have volunteered on weekends to make repairs themselves.

Edwards said the staff dedication is one reason he allotted $117,000 to pay for repairs to the roof and emergency room upgrades.

"It was terribly important to that community," he said.

The earmarks come on top of the 2008 defense appropriations bill that was signed into law in November, in which Edwards secured $6.8 million for Texas A&M defense projects and $2.6 million for Lynntech Inc.

Other local earmarks include:

$392,000 to repave County Road 172 in northern Grimes County.

$196,000 to make improvements to Collard Street in Madisonville.

$376,000 to improve communication technology equipment at the Navasota Police Department.

$12.5 million to train emergency first responders at the National Emergency Response and Rescue Training Center at Texas A&M.

$2 million to fund research at the Nuclear Security Science and Policy Institute at Texas A&M.

$21.9 million to 23 farming, forestry and animal health research programs at Texas A&M.

$1.39 million to provide anti-terrorism training to educators and local law enforcement through the Texas Engineering Extension Service's Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training program and Texas A&M's Project Protect.

$588,000 to Brazos Valley Transportation Management Center to study local traffic solutions and plan for future growth.

$150,000 to Project Focus, a drug- and alcohol-abuse prevention program at Shiloh Baptist Church in Bryan.

Edwards covers Iraq, immigration, oil

Kat — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 08:19:32 -0700

June 12, 2007
Edwards covers Iraq, immigration, oil

By STEVE SNYDER | Navasota Examiner editor

A good politician knows how to relate well to a crowd.

In the case of Congressman Chet Edwards' speech to a Navasota/Grimes County Chamber of Commerce luncheon May 31, a little joke was in order at the top of the lineup.

"I have good news for you: Neither the U.S. Congress nor the Texas Legislature is in session today," he said.

After that, Edwards got down to brass tacks. He started by avowing Congress is not as partisanly divided as portrayed by national news media stories.

"If all I did was watch national television ... the only impression I would have right now is that we're fighting over Iraq and Attorney General Gonzales ... and it's all partisan," he said. "What I would tell you is ... there are good people on both sides of the aisle but they don't make the news."

Before getting to a discussion of Iraq, and other issues, Edwards went back to a bit more levity, referencing throat surgery he had at the start of the year.

"I could not speak for two months ... and I'm looking to see if we can't get this district in the Guiness Book of World Records ... for longest period of time without a Congressman talking," he said.

Iraq

The serious issues on his list of topics did begin with Iraq, then. Edwards said he was glad Congress sent a new Iraq funding bill to President George W. Bush, even though it did not have timetables or benchmarks that an earlier House bill, vetoed by Bush, did have.

"I'm glad we got the bill passed to fully fund the president's request. I think it would be a mistake to pull all our troops tomorrow," he said.

Edwards was one of the House Democrats who voted yes May 24 on a House vote concurring with a Senate amendment, the effect of which was to approve an Iraq spending bill without timetables for troop reductions or withdrawals, and without Congressionally-binding benchmarks on the Iraqi government. The overall vote was 280-142. Edwards also voted for the original House supplemental spending bill May 10, later vetoed by Bush, that did have timetables.

"Can we guarantee stability in Iraq? No ... not even with a million troops," Edwards continued. "That's the job of the Iraqi people. I want to send a message to Iraqi leaders: Clean up your corruption. Take more responsibility. We're not going to write a blank check of $10 billion a month forever."

Energy

With $3 a gallon gas, this was bound to be his second topic.

"I'm afraid we're paying the price for having a long-term energy policy," Edwards said.

He said a major portion of the problem was lack of new U.S. gasoline refineries.

Referring to a 2005 energy bill that made it easier to build refineries, Edwards said we needed another one. He said he wanted to make it easier to build nuclear power plants, open up more of the Gulf coast, especially the Florida portion, for oil and natural gas drilling, and get automakers to make some serious improvements in fuel economy.

"If they can't do a better job, we may not have an American car-manufacturing industry," he warned.

Later, during audience questioning, Edwards said he was open to the idea of the government developing a strategic reserve for refined gasoline similar to the one it already has for crude oil.

L-3 could get millions to maintain surveillance planes

jessica — Thu, 28 Sep 2006 08:36:00 -0700

September 28, 2006
L-3 could get millions to maintain surveillance planes

Waco Tribune Herald
By Mike Copeland |Tribune-Herald staff writer

A Homeland Security appropriations bill contains $70 million to keep surveillance planes flying, and much of that money could end up at L-3 Communications in Waco.

U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards, D-Waco, announced this week that the final appropriations bill for 2007 contains $70 million for the service life extension program, or SLEP, that calls for maintenance of P-3 planes.

The planes are used by U.S. Customs and Border Protection to protect the nation’s borders from potential terrorists and major drug dealers.

A contract remains to be awarded for this work, but Edwards thinks he knows who will get it.

“Since L-3 Waco has been the prime contractor on this program, which I funded last year, I believe L-3 will most likely receive a significant amount of the $70 million,” he said.

The L-3 plant is Waco’s largest industrial employer, with about 1,625 people working there.

“We have a number of P-3 planes in here on a rotating basis,” said Lance Martin, spokesman for the massive plant at Texas State Technical College airport.

Last year, Edwards helped get $16 million added to the Homeland Security budget to have work done on these planes.

Martin said the Waco plant performs heavy maintenance on these planes in conjunction with a sister plant in Mississippi.

“We have done a great amount of work on P-3 planes and hope to be considered for more,” Martin said.

The House and Senate must pass the final bill before it goes to President Bush for his signature.

Video - Security

Kat — Sun, 27 Aug 2006 21:41:17 -0700

"Security"

Select video:

"While others talk about protecting our homeland and securing our borders, Chet Edwards is doing something about it.

Chet Edwards helped write the law that added 1500 new border agents. He led the fight to build survelliance aircraft in our district to secure our borders and is leading the battle to stop nuclear weapons from being smuggled into our country.

Independent. Effective. For us.

CHET EDWARDS: "I'm Chet Edwards and I approve this message."

Chet on the Radio: "A Powerful Fighter ..."

Kat — Tue, 31 Oct 2006 22:51:46 -0700

Chet Edwards is leading the fight....

Click the "play" button

“A powerful fighter for a strong national defense.”

That’s what the Dallas Morning News said about Chet Edwards. When some in Washington wanted to weaken the Army by slashing forty thousand soldiers, Chet Edwards stood up to them, and won, and kept our Army strong.

That’s why the Association of the U.S. Army named Chet Edwards Legislator of the Year, and why three former commanding generals of Fort Hood say we need him in Congress.

Chet Edwards is leading the fight to protect our homeland and stop nuclear bombs from being smuggled into our country. And it’s Chet Edwards who is recognized as a national leader on veterans issues.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars PAC has endorsed Chet Edwards, and the American Legion gave him its Unsung Hero award for his work to improve veterans health care and keep the Waco VA Hospital open.

Chet Edwards. Independent. Effective. For us. Chet Edwards for Congress is proud, to have paid for this message.

Video - Soldiers

Kat — Wed, 16 Aug 2006 23:15:21 -0700

"Soldiers"

Background Information

Select video:

"When some in Washington wanted to weaken the Army by slashing forty thousand soldiers, Chet Edwards stood up to them and won and kept our Army strong.

It's why the Association of the U. S. Army named Chet Edwards, "Legislator of the Year."

That's what Chet Edwards stands for.

The independence to do what's right. The experience to get things done.

Chet Edwards. Our Congressman."

CHET EDWARDS: "I'm Chet Edwards and I approve this message."