News

Press Releases

Smith Announces More Than $10 Million for Key Puget Sound Defense Projects

September 26, 2006

U.S. Rep. Adam Smith today announced more than $10 million in funds for projects in Washington’s Puget Sound region.  The funds were included in H.R. 5631, the Defense Department appropriations conference report for fiscal year 2007.

“I am pleased to have been able to work with my colleagues to secure these key funds for Puget Sound area defense projects,” Smith said.  “These projects will, among other things, fight cancer, improve aircraft safety, and fight drug trafficking.”

Smith announced funding for the following projects in H.R. 5631:

  • $2 million for targeted radiation cancer therapy at Madigan Army Hospital. This funding will be used to provide innovative prostate cancer treatment therapy for military personnel and veterans.  Calypso Medical Technologies, a Seattle biomedical company, will carry out this program using their cutting-edge targeted radiation tumor tracking technology. 
  • $1 million for high-tech aircraft inspections.  These funds will facilitate the development of advanced systems to perform more efficient and effective airframe maintenance inspections on the Air Force’s C-5 aircraft.  Quest Integrated, Inc. of Kent, WA, will carry out this program with its Induction Thermography System (ITS) technology.
  • $350,000 for WA National Guard Counter-Drug Linguist Program.  This funding will allow the WA National Guard to hire additional soldiers to use their specialized military skills as linguists to translate and analyze evidence of criminal drug trafficking.  A 2002 GAO report concluded that the US does not possess adequate linguist assets.  This critical program, operated out of Ft. Lewis, specifically targets foreign narco-terrorists, narco-traffickers and transnational criminal organizations.
  • $3.3 million for advanced military food preservation technology.   Smith worked with fellow Washington delegation members to secure funds for this demonstration program for advanced food preservation technologies to enhance combat ration quality.  These technologies include high-pressure processing developed by Avure Technologies in Kent, WA and Washington State University’s microwave processing technology.
  • $1.7 million for small boat lifts for the US Navy.  These funds will help the Navy procure additional advanced hydraulic boat lifts that increase the lifespan and reduce maintenance costs for small boats in the Navy.  The boatlifts, a product of Sunstream Corporation in Kent, WA, are used on naval bases around the country.
  • $1.7 million for laser defenses against man-portable surface-to-air missiles (MANPADS).  This critical funding would enable the Air Force to conduct final tests and accelerated fielding of a laser technology to combat advanced MANPADS.  Aculight in Bothel, WA developed this technology.

The House passed the bill tonight by a vote of 394 to 22.  The Senate must now approve the conference report before the President can sign it into law.

 

Smith Criticizes Voter ID Measure

September 20, 2006

U.S. Rep. Adam Smith (WA-09) issued the following statement on H.R. 4484, the Republican Voter ID bill, which the House of Representatives will vote on today:

“Congress should remove barriers between citizens and the polls, not erect new ones,” Smith said.  “This legislation will needlessly prevent many married women, minorities, Katrina victims, low-income people, rural residents and elderly citizens from voting.  These people are less likely to have the kind of identification this bill would require and would therefore be prevented from casting a ballot.

“We cannot disenfranchise people under the guise of making sure they are eligible to vote.  If this bill becomes law, many otherwise eligible voters will be denied their most basic constitutional right.”

Smith, Congress Honor Filipino World War II Veterans

September 19, 2006

Congressman Adam Smith (WA-09) today voted in favor of House Concurrent Resolution 622, which recognizes and honors the service of Filipino World War II veterans for their defense of democratic ideals and their contributions to the Allied victory in the Pacific.  Smith is a co-sponsor of the resolution.  The measure passed in the House of Representatives tonight by a vote of 402 - 0.

“More than 120,000 Filipinos fought to defend the United States in the Pacific during World War II, and they deserve the recognition given them by the House of Representatives tonight,” Smith said.  “They also deserve full access to veterans’ health care and other benefits, and I am fighting to make sure they get their due.”

Smith is a cosponsor of H.R. 4574, the Filipino Vets Equity Act.  The bill would extend Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits to the 13,000 remaining veterans residing in the Philippines.  U.S.-resident Filipino veterans are already covered by VA benefits.

H.R. 4574 was referred to House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Health on January 3, 2006.  Smith and the bill’s other cosponsors are fighting to bring it to a vote in the full House of Representatives before the 109th Congress adjourns at the end of this year.

Smith Hails Passage of Resolution Calling for Cancer Cure by 2015

September 19, 2006

Congressman Adam Smith (WA-09) today voted in favor of House Concurrent Resolution 210, which expresses Congress’s support for eliminating suffering and death due to cancer by 2015.  Smith is a co-sponsor of the resolution.  The legislation passed in the House of Representatives tonight by a vote of 403 - 0.

“As a member of the House Cancer Caucus, I was glad to see my colleagues support the goal of ending suffering and death due to cancer by 2015,” Smith said.  “I will keep working with my colleagues in Congress to help provide the needed funds and make that goal a reality.”

Cancer now kills more Americans under the age of 85 than any other disease, including heart disease.  More than one million people are diagnosed with cancer each year.

Congress has yet to pass the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations bill for fiscal year 2007 that would fund continued cancer research through the National Institutes of Health and the National Cancer Institute.  The House of Representatives is not expected to do so before adjourning until November so that Members may return to their districts.

Smith is pleased he will have a chance to meet tomorrow with Washington State residents, including constituents from the 9th Congressional District, as part of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network’s Celebration on the Hill 2006.  These Celebration Ambassadors will call on Members of Congress to make a “Congressional Cancer Promise.”  The Promise outlines steps Congress can take to help end cancer suffering and related deaths.

Visiting Celebration Ambassadors from Washington State include:

  • Tina Bodine (Lacey)
  • Kristi Coppin-Arnold (Sumner)
  • Kimberly Crawford (Federal Way)
  • William Hagedorn (Puyallup)
  • Cindi Mueller (Milton)
  • Linda Russell (Puyallup)

“I commend my constituents for their dedication to ending a disease that affects so many families,” Smith said.  “I look forward to continuing to fight alongside them to end suffering and death from cancer by 2015.”

Smith Statement on Fifth Anniversary of 9/11 Terrorist Attacks

September 11, 2006

U.S. Representative Adam Smith (WA-09) today released the following statement on the fifth anniversary of the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks:

“Today we again pause to remember a dark moment burned into the memory of our generation.  We remember those who died and the loved ones they left behind.  We remember the victims of war, terrorism, and other violence.  We rededicate ourselves to the belief in human freedom and support for those who fight for it.”

“This five-year anniversary of the September 11th terror attacks reminds us to remain vigilant to stop future attacks.  While some progress has been made on homeland security, we clearly have more work to do.  The Taliban have resurfaced in Afghanistan.  Our military is stretched dangerously thin.  Only 6 percent of containers entering U.S. ports are screened.  First responders still do not have the equipment needed to communicate with each other in an emergency.  We can and must do more to ensure attacks like those of September 11th, 2001 never happen again.

“Our thoughts are with those who lost loved ones and with those on the front lines of the war on terror.  Their sacrifices demand we refocus on bringing those responsible for the attacks to justice.”

 

« First < Prev Next > Last »