with U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley

Q:        What's held up the Defense Authorization bill?

A:       Action stalled in November on the $625 billion defense bill because the Democratic leader refused to agree on allowing additional amendments, beyond those he supports, to be considered during floor debate.  This time the legislative logjam affects national security and U.S. troops.  In addition to military funding that would be authorized, the bill gives lawmakers an opportunity to legislate policy reforms.  Throughout this year I have laid bipartisan groundwork to advance measures designed to strengthen morale among our men and women in uniform.  A recent Pentagon study surveyed 100,000 active-duty service members.  It found 26,000 members experienced offenses ranging from sexual harassment to sexual assault.  Fewer than 3,400 reported the incidents.  These numbers reflect a failure of leadership among the top brass to address an issue that has raised questions about the culture of the U.S. military since the 1991 Tailhook scandal two decades ago.  The survey suggests the chain of command is unwilling or unable to address this sensitive issue when more than one-quarter of respondents experienced sexual misconduct, but less than four percent stepped forward to report it.  Policymakers can't afford to allow a culture of sexual misconduct to continue harming our troops and the military's reputation.  Doing so would add up to bigger problems that damage recruitment, retention and readiness.

Q:        What are the bipartisan reforms you are championing to combat sexual misconduct within the military?

A: The first is called the Military Whistleblower Protection Act. This amendment would beef up laws intended to protect those who report sexual assault, fraud or other misconduct within the military.  Blowing the whistle on wrongdoing should not result in retaliation and victimization of those who come forward to tell the truth.  It would extend reporting rules from 60 days to one year and require corrective relief to victims and discipline measures for those who retaliate. It would include support for victims as well as witnesses.  This reform would empower service men and women to come forward and report wrongdoing without fear of reprisal.  Victims and witnesses should not have to worry that telling the truth would negatively impact their military careers.

The second is called the Military Justice Improvement Act.  The military has a blemished track record to prevent and prosecute sexual assaults among its ranks that calls for long overdue reforms.  This bill would empower victims to come forward by taking the judicial process for sexual assault cases outside the chain of command.  I'm working to help build bipartisan support from lawmakers to get this reform adopted once and for all.  It would send an important message to the troops.  Sexual predators who prey on their victims within the service branches of the military must stand down.  They disgrace the code of honor upheld by the vast majority of men and women in uniform and must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.  This is a law enforcement issue to help ensure impartial justice.

These reforms would show that the people's branch of the federal government stands up for our brave men and women who put themselves in harm's way to protect the blessings of freedom.

Q:        What other amendments are you working to include in the defense bill?

A: As a longtime watchdog for the taxpaying public, I'm supporting two reforms that would protect tax dollars from wasteful spending, including a bipartisan amendment that would limit taxpayer-reimbursed compensation for defense contractor executives.  Under current law, the compensation reimbursement cap for federal government contractors would automatically increase from $763,029 to $952,308, retroactive to January 2012.  When the Pentagon and other federal bureaucracies are being asked to tighten their belts to stay within the budget caps, it just doesn't square that taxpayers will be on the hook for exorbitant salaries for government contractors.  I can tell you that not one taxpayer, in my thousands of meetings in each of Iowa' 99 counties in the last 33 years, has said this is a reasonable use of tax dollars.  The second reform would improve processes to audit the Pentagon's books.  The Department of Defense needs better tools to ensure that money spent is money owed.

I'm also advancing proposals that would make more effective use of the nation's military arsenals, such as the Rock Island Arsenal, to include a requirement that the military consider arsenals when looking at fulfilling equipment needs.

Finally, I'm throwing my support behind two amendments to improve services for veterans. The first is an amendment that would help recruit the best and brightest medical professionals to the Veterans Administration medical system by allowing VA doctors to access an existing program that provides loan forgiveness and scholarships to doctors working in underserved areas.  The second is an amendment that would protect the integrity of veterans programs that help those returning from active military service to transition to the private sector. The amendment would clarify the term "veteran" as one who served in the Armed Forces.  It would end a loophole that allows individuals to game the system by claiming "veteran status" based solely on attendance of a military prep school.  It would not affect those who attend a military service academy or who enlist in the military after attending a military prep school.  The Support Earned Recognition of Veterans Act would clarify the definition of a veteran to exclude claims made by those who only attended a military prep school from obtaining hiring preferences, "veteran-owned small business status" or lifetime compensation benefits.

Let's hope the Senate Majority Leader will have a change of mind when the Senate resumes consideration of the defense authorization bill and allow these and other amendments to be debated.  These are sensible reforms that would protect the taxpaying public, support the troops and help get the U.S. military get off to a good start in the New Year.

Monday, December 9, 2013

Attendees were served a complimentary lunch courtesy of several community organizations and local businesses. Adding a holiday touch, Santa Claus was on hand giving out gifts to all the children.

 

Best Buy, the consumer electronics giant, revealed two Home Entertainment Systems--one each for the Millionth and the One Millionth & One packages. The systems included 55 and 32-inch Insignia TVs, Rocketfish wireless speakers, Insignia digital cameras and picture frames,a plethora of Rocketfish accessories, plus iPads.

 

 Catching the crowd completely off-guard, Living Essentials, LLC, the distributor of 5-hour ENERGY® shots, unveiled the major gift for the recipient of Operation Gratitude's One Millionth Care Package: a Ford F-150 pickup truck. The vehicle will be delivered to the soon-to-be-revealed service member upon returning home from deployment next Spring.

"Our One Millionth Care Package represents the enormous generosity and support of patriotic Americans and businesses all across the country," said Carolyn Blashek, founder of Operation Gratitude."We are thrilled that Upper Deck, Best Buy and 5-hour ENERGY® donated such extraordinary gifts to the milestone package recipient, who today represents all the members of the greatest Military on earth."

 

An exciting secret overseas delivery of The One Millionth Care Package, containing symbolic keys to the Ford F-150 and certificates for the other gifts, will be revealed to the public through social and traditional media in the coming week.

 

# # #

About Operation Gratitude: Operation Gratitude annually sends 100,000+ care packages filled with snacks, entertainment and hand-made items and personal letters of appreciation addressed to Veterans, First Responders, Wounded Warriors, Care Givers and to individually named U.S. Service Members deployed in hostile regions. Our mission is to lift the spirits and meet the evolving needs of our Active Duty and Veteran communities, and provide volunteer opportunities for all Americans to express their appreciation to members of our Military. Each package contains donated product valued at $75-100 and costs the organization $15 to assemble and ship. Since its inception in 2003, Operation Gratitude volunteers have shipped more than One Million care packages.

Two Assembly Lines were in full swing, producing 3,000 care packages in just two hours.  In addition, the activities  included Military and First Responder Booths, fun games with prizes for young children, a letter writing area with custom printed holiday cards for the troops, a paracord bracelet workshop, and a photo booth.

Several gourmet food trucks were on site and thousands of attendees were served a complimentary lunch courtesy of several community organizations and local businesses.  Adding a holiday touch, Santa Claus was on hand giving out gifts to all the children.

"This is an extraordinary day in the life of Operation Gratitude," said Penny Alfonso, Volunteer and Community Service Coordinator.  "I was at the very first Assembly Day in 2003 and it is breathtaking to witness this accomplishment by caring and patriotic Americans all across the country, whose goal is to say 'Thank You' to our Military."

The backdrop to the entire Event was the elegant and moving replica of the Vietnam Memorial Wall, presented by American Veterans Traveling Tribute. A special memorial program in front of The Wall opened with a rousing rendition of the National Anthem by the St. Francis de Sales Choir, and an inspirational invocation by Captain Brenda Threatt, a chaplain with the California State Military Reserve. Veterans from World War II, Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf War, Iraq and Afghanistan, joined Gold and Blue Star Mothers and War Dog, Cpl. Breezy, USMC (Ret.) to lay wreaths in honor of the Fallen.

In poignant remarks, The Adjutant General of California, Major General David Baldwin and John Barron, COO of American Veterans Traveling Tribute spoke of the sacrifices made by our Military and their families. Also in attendance representing their respective branches were Vice Admiral David Buss, Commander, Naval Air Forces, Brigadier General Vincent Coglianese, Commanding General, 1st Marine Logistics Group (1st MLG); and Command Sergeant Major William Clarke, the Senior Enlisted Soldier in California.

Steve Politis, a 96 year old B-17 fighter pilot who was shot down over Yugoslavia in World War II, was visibly moved by the outpouring of respect for America's Veterans.  "I think about the many Operation Gratitude volunteer 'hands' that have touched these one million care packages--either by assembling the boxes or making one of the items inside," he offered.  "There is no more beautiful way to express appreciation and let our Military know that people care."

Best Buy, the consumer electronics giant, revealed two Home Entertainment Systems--one each for the Millionth and the One Millionth & One packages. The systems included 55 and 32-inch Insignia TVs, Rocketfish wireless speakers, Insignia digital cameras and picture frames,a plethora of Rocketfish accessories, plus iPads.

Catching the crowd completely off-guard, Living Essentials, LLC, the distributor of 5-hour ENERGY® shots, unveiled the major gift for the recipient of Operation Gratitude's One Millionth Care Package: a Ford F-150 pickup truck.  The vehicle will be delivered to the soon-to-be-revealed service member upon returning home from deployment next Spring.

"Our One Millionth Care Package represents the enormous generosity and support of patriotic Americans and businesses all across the country," said Carolyn Blashek, founder of Operation Gratitude.  "We are thrilled that Upper Deck, Best Buy and 5-hour ENERGY® donated such extraordinary gifts to the milestone package recipient, who today represents all the members of the greatest Military on earth."

An exciting secret overseas delivery of The One Millionth Care Package, containing symbolic keys to the Ford F-150 and certificates for the other gifts, will be revealed to the public through social and traditional media in the coming week.

# # #

About Operation Gratitude: Operation Gratitude annually sends 100,000+ care packages filled with snacks, entertainment and hand-made items and personal letters of appreciation addressed to Veterans, First Responders, Wounded Warriors, Care Givers and to individually named U.S. Service Members deployed in hostile regions. Our mission is to lift the spirits and meet the evolving needs of our Active Duty and Veteran communities, and provide volunteer opportunities for all Americans to express their appreciation to members of our Military. Each package contains donated product valued at $75-100 and costs the organization $15 to assemble and ship. Since its inception in 2003, Operation Gratitude volunteers have shipped more than One Million care packages.

Home Franchise Concepts Remembers Veterans on the Anniversary of Pearl Harbor
Co-founder of Home Franchise Concepts, Tony Forbes, Whose Father Was Stationed at Pearl Harbor During the Bombing, Gives Thanks to Service Men and Women


ORANGE, CA - This Saturday, December 7th, marks the 72nd anniversary of the Pearl Harbor bombing that saw 2,402 American soldiers killed and another 1,282 wounded. It was an event that sent shock waves through a nation and changed the trajectory of World War II.

Home Franchise Concepts (HFC) - the parent company of home improvement franchise properties Budget Blinds and Tailored Living - would like to take a moment to remember the sacrifices that were made that day and thank veterans of all military backgrounds for what they've done for this country.

HFC's strong ties to the military are due in large part to the company's co-founder and Executive Vice President Tony Forbes. Tony comes from a military family; his brother currently serves in the U.S. Navy and his father is a veteran of World War II. In fact, Tony's father, William J. Forbes, was on-site when Pearl Harbor was bombed in 1941 which is why the upcoming anniversary is close to his heart.

"My father passed away 10 years ago but I will always remember his stories of the events at Pearl Harbor," said Tony Forbes. "On the anniversary of Pearl Harbor, it's very important for us to remember the sacrifices that were made and the brave soldiers that were lost that day. It's because of these sacrifices that we were able to build the United States into one of the greatest nations in the world."

Tony Forbes believes that through the enduring and selfless efforts of our military over the years, we've all had the opportunity to live the American Dream of starting your own business. Tony himself has lived it, acting as a co-founder to Budget Blinds, Tailored Living, and their parent company HFC.

As a way of giving back, HFC launched the Million Dollar Franchise Event this year which grants veterans of all backgrounds substantial discounts off the purchase of a Budget Blinds or Tailored Living franchise. The idea is to reach $1,000,000 in total discounts. It is HFC's way of giving veterans the opportunity to live the American Dream which they have fought so hard to protect.

"Coming from a military family, I've been close to the people who have laid it all on the line in service to this country," said Tony Forbes.  "This is why the Million Dollar Franchise Event is so important to me. It presents the opportunity to give back to veterans."

The 72nd anniversary of the Pearl Harbor bombing presents a moment to pause, honor, and give thanks to the veterans of the United States military. Tony Forbes and the rest of the HFC team believe we should all come together to give back in any way we can.