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This week, the McDowell Family from Taylor Mill in Kenton County stopped by the Washington, D.C., office to visit and go on a tour of the Capitol building. They are among the many Fourth District residents spending vacation time in our nation's capital this summer. If you are planning a visit to Washington, D.C., please call (202) 225-3465 to learn more about how we can assist with a tour of the Capitol and other popular tourist attractions.
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Weekly Column: The Truth about Nuclear Energy
By now, we are all aware of the huge impact that the rising cost of gasoline is having on our families, schools, communities and businesses. Much of the increase we see in oil and gas prices is the result of significantly increased global demand. Rapidly industrializing countries like China and India are consuming more electricity and fuel than ever before. As a result, demand for fuels like coal, oil and natural gas has skyrocketed, causing the price we pay for all our energy needs to soar.
We must develop a comprehensive energy strategy that will efficiently use our domestic resources in the short term while laying the groundwork to make alternative energy sources clean, safe and affordable.
The vast majority of Kentucky's electricity is produced from coal. Today, nearly 70% of all the electricity used in the United States is generated by fossil fuels. Nuclear power, however, could also provide American energy consumers with a safe source of clean and reliable electricity without further depleting our valuable supplies of fossil fuels.
Contrary to popular belief, the nuclear industry is one of the safest in the United States. Due to rapid advances in science, engineering and plant design, nuclear plants are now safer than ever. According to the National Center for Policy Analysis, throughout more than fifty years of nuclear production in the U.S., no deaths or negative health affects have been conclusively linked to radiation leaks from nuclear plants or spent fuel. The 1979 accident at Three Mile Island, a nuclear plant in Pennsylvania, was the most significant in U.S. commercial nuclear power plant operating history. The small amount of radiation leaked during the accident was only equal to one X-ray per person for those living within a ten mile radius of the plant (). You can read more about nuclear energy's safety record by visiting the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission's website at .http://www.nrc.gov/security.htmlhttp://www.ncpa.org/pub/ba/ba508/
Nuclear power plants are required by law to maintain the highest standards of safety and security. The Energy Policy Act of 2005 (H.R. 6) included several nuclear reactor security provisions, including requirements to revise the security threats that nuclear plant guard forces must be able to defeat, regular force-on-force security exercises at nuclear power plants and the fingerprinting of nuclear facility workers.
Currently, the U.S. has 104 nuclear reactors in operation that produce about 20% of America's electricity. Many countries in Europe and Asia are embracing nuclear energy as an affordable and reliable alternative energy source. France and Lithuania generate more than 70% of their electricity from nuclear power, while Belgium, Bulgaria, Hungary, South Korea, Sweden and Ukraine use it for at least one-third of their electricity needs. These countries have managed to largely resolve the issue of nuclear waste by employing new methods of recycling and reuse.
Not only is nuclear power a proven, homegrown and economical energy source, it has the added benefit of being emission free. Nuclear power plants have produced trillions of hours of electricity without releasing any air pollution or greenhouse gasses. Unfortunately, due to litigation and government regulations, no new nuclear plants have been built in the U.S. since the 1970s. It is past time to make nuclear energy a more significant part of the solution to our energy crisis.
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D.C. and District Talk
Constituent Corner
Prevent child drownings this summer
 The Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS) is working to raise awareness of drowning risks for children and youth, especially during swimming and boating season. According to Safe Kids Worldwide, drownings among children increase 89 percent in the summer over the annual monthly average. From 2002 to 2007, 92 children and youth - infants to age 18 - drowned in Kentucky. This number includes preliminary, unpublished data for 2006 and incomplete preliminary data for 2007, according to the Kentucky Department for Public Health (DPH).
Most of the drowning victims (forty-one) were children younger than four. The rate of drownings dropped off for children ages four to thirteen (seventeen victims), but increased among children fourteen to eighteen (thirty-four victims). One-year-olds had the highest incidence of drownings - fifteen during the five-year period. No drownings were recorded for the period among twelve-year-olds. Swimming pools account for sixty percent of all drownings in this country, and boating is involved in about one-fifth of all drownings.
The majority of child drownings in the U.S. occur in the home - in bathtubs, buckets and residential pools. For every child who dies from drowning, another four receive emergency department care for near-drowning injuries. Among children older than fourteen, sixty-three percent of drownings occurred in rivers, lakes and other natural bodies of fresh water.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics' Committee on Injury, Violence and Poison Prevention, the three leading contributing factors to child and youth drowning are lapses in adult supervision, alcohol and inadequate swimming ability. Reducing the incidence and severity of injuries from unintentional causes is one of the goals of Healthy Kentuckians 2010, a long-term public health policy plan that stresses prevention.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offer these suggestions to reduce the risk of drownings:
- Designate a responsible adult to watch young children when swimming, bathing or playing around water. Adults should not be involved in any other distracting activity (such as reading, playing cards, talking on the phone or mowing the lawn) while supervising children.
- Always swim with a buddy. Whenever possible, select swimming sites that have lifeguards.
- Avoid drinking alcohol before and during swimming, boating or water skiing. Do not drink alcohol while supervising children.
- Learn to swim. Swimming instruction is not recommended as the primary means of drowning prevention for children younger than 4. Constant, careful supervision and barriers, such as pool fencing, are necessary even when children have completed swimming classes.
- Do not use air-filled or foam toys, such as water wings, arm floaties, noodles or innertubes, as a substitute for life jackets (personal flotation devices). These toys are not designed to keep swimmers safe.
- Learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). In the time it might take for paramedics to arrive, your CPR skills could make a difference in someone's life. CPR performed by bystanders has been shown to improve outcomes in drowning victims.
For more summer safety tips and resources, visit the CHFS Summer Safety Web site at .http://chfs.ky.gov/summerSafety08.htm
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Don't let foodborne illness spoil your day
 The Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS) wants all Kentuckians to follow a few simple food preparation and food handling guidelines during outdoor cookouts, picnics and barbecues. Public health officials stress the importance of proper food handling for outdoor dining events like summer picnics and barbecues. According to DPH, food left out in the sun or in hot cars too long can become a breeding ground for bacteria and may cause foodborne illness when consumed. This is particularly important to remember for holiday parties, when there is an increased likelihood for exposing multiple people to foodborne illness.
DPH investigates foodborne illness outbreaks, such as a current nationwide outbreak of Salmonella Saintpaul linked to raw tomatoes, each year. In 2006, DPH investigated three separate outbreaks of salmonella; two outbreaks each of E. coli and norovirus (both foodborne) in 2007; and so far this year, three foodborne illness outbreaks.
To avoid exposure to bacteria and prevent foodborne illness, DPH recommends the following guidelines:
- Wash hands before eating or preparing food, after using the restroom, between handling raw and ready-to-eat items, and after handling pets. Wash with hot soapy water and dry with paper towels.
- To sanitize surfaces, use a solution of regular household bleach and warm water. Add about one tablespoon of bleach to two gallons of water for the right concentration. Sanitize by first washing and rinsing the surface and then immerse, spray or swab with the bleach solution.
- Separate raw foods from ready-to-eat foods. Use different cutting boards or wash, rinse and sanitize after contact with raw meat, poultry and seafood. Never use the same plate to transport the cooked hamburgers that was used for the raw hamburger patties.
- Handle all cut melons carefully, including cantaloupe and watermelon. Thoroughly clean the outer surface before slicing, and keep work surface and utensils used to prepare the melon clean and sanitized. Refrigerate sliced melon promptly at 41 degrees Fahrenheit or lower.
- Be sure to wash all produce thoroughly before use.
- Cook food to the proper internal temperature:
- Ground Beef = 160 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 seconds
- Poultry and Stuffed Meats = 165 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 seconds
- Pork Products = 150 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 seconds
- Reheating Leftovers = 165 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 seconds
- Always check the internal temperature of cooked foods with a metal-stemmed thermometer and cook another 15 seconds after the thermometer indicates it has reached the proper temperature.
- Within two hours, cool and maintain leftovers at 41 degrees Fahrenheit or lower or freeze at zero degrees or lower.
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Pioneer life week at Carter Caves State Resort Park set for July 21st through 27th
You can experience what Kentucky was like more than two hundred years ago during the Pioneer Life Week at Carter Caves State Resort Park near Olive Hill from July 21st though July 27th. This annual event allows visitors to see how pioneers and Native Americans lived. Most events are free to the public. The pioneer encampment near the park campground is open daily 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 27th.
Some of the programs include lantern tours of Saltpetre Cave, tomahawk throwing, black powder rifle demonstrations, spinning and weaving demonstrations, and pioneer clothing interpretation. The evening programs will feature a discussion about the Hatfield & McCoy Feud on Tuesday night, a portrayal of Simon Kenton on Wednesday night, frontier stories by the fire at the campground on Thursday night and a dance at the new shelter house at the campground on Friday night. Country Fair Day will be Saturday, July 26th, featuring old farm tools and machinery, woodcarving, seed spitting, flint knapping, frontier food tasting, pottery making, music, a pie auction and more. A free ice cream social will be held at 4:00 p.m.
In addition to the Pioneer Life activities, Carter Caves will continue presenting its normal programs with cave tours and canoe trips. There's also hiking, golf, mini-golf, fishing, camping, horseback riding and swimming. Carter Caves also has a lodge and restaurant. For more information, call the park at (800) 325-0059 or (606) 286-4411.
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Greenbo Lake to hold fishing tournament for Juniors on July 26th
Greenbo Lake State Resort Park will host a junior fishing tournament on Saturday, July 26th. The fishing tournament is for young anglers fifteen years old and under. Prizes will be awarded for both boys and girls in each age group for biggest fish caught and most fish caught. Age groups are 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, and 13-15.
Registration for the free event starts at 8:00 a.m., Saturday, July 26th. The tournament will take place at the Greenbo Lake Boat Dock from 10:00 a.m. until noon. For more information, contact Paul Verespy at (606) 473-7324.
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Constituent Hours
Every month, members of my staff are available throughout the Fourth Congressional District to assist local residents with problems related to the federal government.
Please click here to see the current list of scheduled times and locations in your area. Appointments are not necessary. As always, constituents are welcome to contact our offices in Washington, D.C., Ashland, La Grange, Ft. Mitchell, Maysville and Williamstown at any time with questions or concerns.
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Legislative News
Legislative Week in Review
The House of Representatives was in session Monday through Thursday of this week. The following bills passed the House:
- H.Con.Res. 295 - Expressing the deepest appreciation of Congress to the families of members of the United States Armed Forces
- H.Res. 1080 - Honoring the extraordinary service and exceptional sacrifice of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), known as the Screaming Eagles
- H.Con.Res. 381 - Honoring and recognizing the dedication and achievements of Thurgood Marshall on the 100th anniversary of his birth
- H.Res. 1182 - Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that American flags flown on Federal Government buildings and on Federal property be made in the United States
- H.R. 5464 - A Child Is Missing Alert and Recovery Center Act
- S. 231 - A bill to authorize the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program at fiscal year 2006 levels through 2012
- H.R. 6455 - To require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- S. 496 - the Appalachian Regional Development Act Amendments of 2008
- H.Con.Res. 299 - Supporting the goals and ideals of National Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month
- H.Res. 1090 - Honoring the esteemed former President Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela on the occasion of his 90th birthday 13.
- H.Res. 1341 - Burma Democracy Promotion Act of 2007
- H.R. 5959 - Intelligence Authorization Act FY09
- H.R. 415 - To amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate segments of the Taunton River in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as a component of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers
You can find more information on each of these bills and keep up-to-date on their progress as they move through the legislative process by visiting and typing in the bill number.http://thomas.loc.gov
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Anticipated Action on the House Floor Next Week
The House of Representatives will be in session Tuesday through Friday.
Information on next week's schedule can be found on the Office of the Clerk's website for upcoming legislation: . This site provides up-to-date information on House legislative schedules.http://clerk.house.gov/legislative/index.html
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This Day in History - July 18th
- 1914 - The U.S. Congress forms the Aviation Section, U.S. Signal Corps, giving definite status to aircraft within the U.S. Army for the first time.
Thanks!
As always, feel free to pass my e-newsletter on to family or friends who would be interested or let them know they can sign up on my website at . Thanks.http://GeoffDavis.house.gov/
| Sincerely, |
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Geoff Davis
Member of Congress |
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