Weekly Video Address
Thursday, November 19, 2015

Video can be found here.

Every Child Deserves the Love of a Forever Family

On any given day, more than 400,000 children are living in foster care in the United States.  About one quarter of them are eligible for adoption, and anxiously wait for an adoptive family.

Many of these children are victims of trauma, abuse or neglect.  And every year, thousands of these kids age out of the system without ever knowing the stability, security and love of a forever family.

November is National Adoption month.  As co-chairman of the Senate Caucus on Foster Youth, I'm working to bring people together at the policymaking table to make a difference for foster youth and promote the importance of adoption.

This week, I held a hearing in the Judiciary Committee to celebrate the positive impact that adoption brings.  We also examined policies related to international adoptions.  A number of families shared their experiences and challenges with international adoption, including one family from Spencer, Iowa.

We highlighted the struggles that more than 400 families are currently facing in bringing home children from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.  The adoptions have been finalized by the home country as well as the United States, yet, despite the fact that the parents must provide financially and emotionally for their children who are physically in the Congo, they cannot bring them home.

After the hearing, several of my colleagues and I met with the Congolese ambassador to the United States to discuss this issue.  We stressed the importance of finding a solution for these families, all of whom simply need immigration travel documents from the Congolese government to bring home the children.

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack released the following statement today after the House voted on H.R. 4038, the American SAFE Act of 2015.

"I have spent my time in Congress working to ensure the safety of the American people and the security of our homeland. This has been and continues to be my number one priority. But let me be clear: I fully support bringing in all those who are victims of terrorism in their own country that we safely can. The legislation that was voted on today does not stop that process, rather it simply asks our screening agencies to certify that those entering our country are not terrorists.

"It is reprehensible that those on the right have used this tragedy for fearmongering. It is time for that to stop. At the same time, while the Administration opposes this bill, it is their responsibility to certify to the American people that those entering our country will do us no harm. Going forward, we must work together to make sure our screening processes are strong and effective so we can welcome those who are truly seeking safety."

Springfield, Illinois - For many, retired Illinois National Guardsman Maj. Gen. Scott L. Thoele will be remembered as an empowering leader who put Soldiers first. Others will remember him for his leadership during the 2008 to 2009 historic deployment of the 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT) to Afghanistan.

Thoele of Teutopolis, Illinois retired on Sept., 30 after a 21-year career in the Illinois National Guard. Thoele also served 14 years in the active duty Army.

Thoele received his commission in the U.S. Army in December 1980 from the Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, Georgia. In September 1994, Thoele joined the Illinois Army National Guard.

"Joining the Illinois National Guard was one of the best moves I ever made, the Illinois National Guard is a first-class organization," said Thoele. "I had some great mentors over the course of my career in the Illinois National Guard."

Thoele served in a variety of positions of increasing responsibility as an active-duty officer and traditional Guardsman, culminating as the Deputy Commanding General-Army National Guard for the United States Army Forces Command at Fort Bragg, North Carolina from August 2012 to August 2015.

Thoele said he was honored to serve as the Deputy Commanding General of the ARNG, but he views his time with 33rd IBCT as the highlight of his career.

Thoele deployed to Afghanistan as commander of the 33rd IBCT in 2008 as the Deputy Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix VIII Commander, his Illinois Guard Soldiers directly trained the Afghan National Security Forces.

Thoele said this was not just his last assignment with the Illinois National Guard, but he considers commanding the 33rd to be his best assignment.

"A lot of people forget how hard that deployment was. It was really a team effort," said Thoele.

During the deployment 36 Americans from Combined Task Force Phoenix were killed during the 2008 to 2009 deployment, 18 of those were from Illinois.

"We knew it was going to be a tough year when we took three casualties and we hadn't even deployed the brigade (main body) to theater yet," said Command Sgt. Maj. Mark Bowman, former Command Sergeant Major for the 33rd IBCT and current Land Component Command Sergeant Major for the Illinois National Guard. "Losing those Soldiers made it harder on every Soldier during the mobilization."

Bowman said despite the hardships the brigade endured, Thoele stayed focused and his guidance was always the right thing to do.

"He had a calm presence about him, but you always knew he was in charge," said Bowman.

Col. Eric Little, United States Property and Fiscal Officer for the Illinois National Guard, who served as the Logistics Task Force Commander for the 634th Brigade Support Battalion, 33rd IBCT said Thoele was a smart, influential and dynamic leader.

"His character and style brought empowerment to Soldiers and leaders and the overall Brigade together," said Little. "Soldiers and leaders strived to do everything they could do to serve him and the organization he represented. He was truly a leader that served the Soldier."

During that deployment, Thoele met with U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Richard P. Formica, of Alexandria, Virginia, the Commanding General of the Combined Security Transition Assistance Command - Afghanistan every Saturday morning in Kabul.

"I am proud to say that I served with the 33rd IBCT," said Formica now retired. "It has been six years, but what hasn't changed and what I haven't forgotten is the tremendous respect and admiration that I had for the courage, the tactical competence, the determination and the grit of the Soldiers of the 33rd IBCT."

Formica said he was very proud of the Soldiers and leaders of the 33rd.

"My heart goes out to the families and loved ones of the 33rd daily, and I will never forget their sacrifices," said Formica.

Later on in Thoele's career, he served as the Deputy Commanding General for United States Army Forces Command (FORSCOM) and at many strategic-level positions for the Army National Guard Combined Arms Center. There he applied his Illinois National Guard experiences to implement national policies and programs.

"It is really amazing what Scott added to our military, the rest of this nation and to our Army through his influence in various positions throughout his career," said Maj. Gen. Richard Hayes, the Adjutant General of the Illinois National Guard. "His work affected half a million people in the Guard and Reserves while serving in the positions he did."

Thoele graduated from Quincy University in Quincy, Illinois, in 1980 where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting. In 1991, Thoele graduated the Graduate School of Banking from the University of Wisconsin in Madison, Wisconsin.

He has attended numerous U.S. Army leadership courses including the U.S. Army War College at Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania; Army Strategic Leadership Develop Program basic, intermediate and advanced levels; CAPSTONE, National Defense University in Washington, D.C. and Advanced Joint Professional Military, Joint Forces Staff College in Norfolk Virginia.

Thoele has participated in Operation Urgent Fury at Grenada, Desert Storm Southwest Asia Cease Fire Campaign, Iraq, Hurricane Mitch Relief Operations, Operation Noble Eagle for the USA, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. His most recent combat assignment was Commander, 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team and Deputy Commander, Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix, Kabul, Afghanistan, from September 2008 to November 2009.

Thoele's awards include Legion of Merits, Bronze Star Medals, Meritorious Service Medals, Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, NATO Afghanistan Service Medal, Bronze Medal of the Polish Army, French National Defense Medal, Special Forces Tab, Combat Infantryman Badges, and Combat Action Badge.

"I know its bittersweet for Scott to take off the uniform, but I know he will continue to serve our National Guard in other capacities," said Hayes.

Formica said he wishes the best for Thoele.

"Congratulations on a wonderful career and thanks to your family and to you for your service," said Formica.

In the civilian sector, Major General Thoele retired as, Senior Vice President and Senior Loan Officer for United States Bank, Lewistown, Missouri and Vice President, Compliance Officer and Credit Analyst for First Bankers Trust Company in Quincy, Illinois. Thoele and his wife Paula have four children and three grandchildren. The general and Paula reside in Quincy, Illinois.

BRUSSELS (Nov. 19, 2015) - U.S. and South American soybean farmers are meeting with government officials, industry partners and other key influencers in Europe this week to discuss biotechnology acceptance and the implications of biotech approval delays. The farmers, who represent more than 95 percent of the world's soybean exports and normally battle for global market share, are joining forces to advocate for a science-based and more predictable biotech approval process.

"Soybeans are part of a global market," said Bob Haselwood, United Soybean Board (USB) chairman and soybean farmer from Berryton, Kansas. "We need a collaborative effort across the U.S., South America and the European Union to work toward timely approvals for new biotech traits. These traits will help us continue to supply a safe, reliable and abundant food supply for the world's consumers."

The delegation from the U.S. and South America is part of the International Soybean Growers Alliance (ISGA), which brings together farmers from these key soybean-producing countries to address global issues impacting all soybean farmers, including biotechnology acceptance.

A study released during an ISGA trade mission earlier this year showed that a three-year postponement in global approval of biotech-enhanced soybean traits any time in the next 10 years would cost farmers and consumers nearly $19 billion, compared with typical approval timelines.

The groups with the most to lose from delayed approvals include consumers in large importing countries, including China and nations in the European Union, and farmers in large soy-exporting countries that quickly adopt new technology, such as the U.S., Brazil and Argentina, according to the report.

"The global supply chain is a powerful economic engine that benefits not only farmers and consumers but also stakeholders at each stage in between," said Ron Moore, American Soybean Association (ASA) secretary, U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) board member and soybean farmer from Roseville, Illinois. "The soybeans we grow create jobs in the U.S. and in each of our export markets. These economic benefits can't be fully realized without a fully functioning biotech approval process."

About the International Soy Growers Alliance (ISGA)
ISGA is made up of growers and industry representatives from Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Paraguay, Uruguay and U.S., who share a commitment to meet the rapidly increasing world demand for quality and healthy soy products produced in a sustainable and environmentally friendly manner. The six countries represented are responsible for over 95 percent of global soy production.

About the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC)
USSEC aims to maximize the use of U.S. soy internationally by meeting the needs of global customers that use U.S. soy in human food and feed for poultry, livestock and fish. The organization uses a global network of stakeholder partnerships, including soybean farmers, exporters, agribusinesses, agricultural organizations, researchers and government agencies, to accomplish that mission. For more information about USSEC, visit www.ussec.org.

About the American Soybean Association (ASA)
ASA represents all U.S. soybean farmers on domestic and international issues of importance to the soybean industry. ASA's advocacy efforts are made possible through voluntary farmer membership by farmers in 30 states where soybeans are grown. For more information on ASA, visit www.soygrowers.com.

About the United Soybean Board (USB)
The 70 farmer-directors of USB oversee the investments of the soy checkoff to maximize profit opportunities for all U.S. soybean farmers. These volunteers invest and leverage checkoff funds to increase the value of U.S. soy meal and oil, to ensure U.S. soybean farmers and their customers have the freedom and infrastructure to operate, and to meet the needs of U.S. soy's customers. As stipulated by the federal Soybean Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Act, the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service has oversight responsibilities for USB and the soy checkoff. For more information on USB, visit www.unitedsoybean.org.

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