Congressman Doug Collins Press Release COLLINS SIGNS LETTER TO FIX BACKLOG AT DEPT. OF VET AFFAIRS

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COLLINS SIGNS LETTER TO FIX BACKLOG AT DEPT. OF VET AFFAIRS

Georgia Representative and Air Force Reservist calls on POTUS to address concerns for military servicemen and women

WASHINGTON, D.C. –Congressman Doug Collins (R-GA), along with 26 other veteran members of Congress, has signed a letter calling for President Obama to review the extensive backlog of claims and procedural problems taking place within the Department of VeteransAffairs. Despite increased funding for the department since 2009, close to one million claims currently remain unprocessed. Collins, a Reservist, offered the following statement after sending the letter directly to President Obama:

“This is an issue I see day in and day out as a counselor of our airmen and women,” Collins said. “They are concerned with how their needs and the needs of their family members are going to be addressed by the VA. It sickens me to know this thought has become an ordinary reality for those risking their lives – both at home and abroad – in order to protect our freedoms. Whatever lingering procedural problems clearly exist within the department, Secretary Shinseki and President Obama owe it to our brave servicemen and women to see to it their claims are handled efficiently with the utmost care.”

The first paragraph of the letter reads:

“As military veterans and those actively serving in the Guard and Reserve, we are increasingly concerned with the many difficulties our fellow veterans are experiencing when filing compensation claims with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Veterans of all generations deserve the highest quality care and timely delivery of services; and right now, the VA benefit delivery is putting America’s veterans at a disadvantage.”

Since 2002, Collins has served as a Chaplain in the United States Air Force Reserves, completing one combat tour in Iraq during the fall of 2008 into spring 2009.

via Congressman Doug Collins : Press Releases : COLLINS SIGNS LETTER TO FIX BACKLOG AT DEPT. OF VET AFFAIRS.

Congressman Doug Collins : Press Releases : COLLINS CONTINUES WORK TO BRING FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE POLICY TO WASHINGTON

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COLLINS CONTINUES WORK TO BRING FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE POLICY TO WASHINGTON

04/26/13

Georgia’s freshman Congressman passes common sense amendment to reduce annual budget deficit

WASHINGTON, D.C. –Earlier this morning, Congressman Doug Collins (R-GA) offered an amendment to H.R. 527, the Responsible Helium Administration & Stewardship Act. Sponsored by Rep. Doc Hastings (R-WA), H.R. 527 would privatize the Federal Helium Reserves to enact free market solutions and protect American taxpayers from additional, burdensome debt. Collins’ amendment, co-sponsored by Rep. Austin Scott (R-GA), would require the revenue generated from the reserve sales and returned to the Treasury be used to decrease the deficit. The amendment was passed unanimously by the House.

“I came to Washington to enact the fiscally responsible values that have been instilled in me as a lifelong resident of Northeast Georgia,” Collins said. “The hardworking people I represent want their leaders in Washington to be held accountable in protecting our future economic needs, and I’ve made a commitment to do my part in making their hope a reality. This amendment is one small way we can restore our fiscal ship by simply allowing our American, free market solutions to once again prevail.”

An excerpt from his speech includes:

“The Congressional Budget Office estimates as a result of this bill, 340 million dollars will be returned to the federal government. This amendment ensures that every penny of savings will go toward deficit reduction – furthering the goal of this House to create jobs and encourage economic growth. This body has made significant strides in putting our country back on a path to fiscal prosperity. Passing a budget that seeks to balance in 10 years is no small achievement, but there is still more we can do. This bill is just one example of savings that we can achieve by allowing innovation and private industry to do what it does best.”

Click here to watch video of Collins debating his amendment.

via Congressman Doug Collins : Press Releases : COLLINS CONTINUES WORK TO BRING FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE POLICY TO WASHINGTON.

Could A Delicious Peach Hold The Secret To Biofuel? | Co.Exist: World changing ideas and innovation

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via Could A Delicious Peach Hold The Secret To Biofuel? | Co.Exist: World changing ideas and innovation.

Now, scientists are identifying genes with modern genetics that will let us design trees for this purpose. Publishing in the journal Nature Genetics, scientists in the International Peach Genome Initiative (IPGI), have published the 265-million base genome of the Lovell variety of Prunus persica, and started unraveling the genes that may unlock the potential of biofuels from trees.

By comparing the genome among 141 peach families with other plant species, researchers are mapping the unique metabolic pathways for key factors in producing biofuel. As it turns out, peaches, a close relative of poplar and other promising biofuel species, turn out to be model species to study how we might design new types of trees for energy. The fast-growing poplar, nicknamed the “DOE tree” for its central role in the Department of Energy’s cellulosic research program, is one of the targets of the recent peach research:

1973 Porsche Carrera RS Touring also being auctioned tomorrow

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As a child, I had the HotWheels version of this car, with the ducktail spoiler.

From the online auction brochure:

210 bhp, 2,687 cc air-cooled SOHC horizontally-opposed six-cylinder engine, Bosch mechanical fuel-injection, five-speed manual gearbox in rear transaxle, four-wheel torsion bar independent suspension, and four-wheel hydraulic disc brakes. Wheelbase: 89.4 in.

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Bob Barr: No New Taxes

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Via email:

American small businesses are being threatened once again as Congress begins to consider an online sales tax regulation that is unfair and job-killing. The Internet Tax hurts a full spectrum of Americans ranging from small business owners and employees throughout Georgia, middle class families, retired Americans, and retail investors.

During the time I served in the House, I proved to be a leader against this transaction tax by chairing a Judiciary Subcommittee hearing in opposition to the proposed regulation. The Internet Tax cripples job creators and families throughout Georgia and America. Take a stand against the unnecessary tax burden on small businesses by donating $50 today!

Protecting online small businesses ensures a preservation of competition and quality of products and services that is necessary to our economy. In our current economic climate, tightening the leash on the job creating sector of the Internet is counterintuitive and unfair. Upon my return to Congress I will fight against legislation that is harmful to Georgia and the American

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Olives Soon To Be The New ‘Peach’ For Georgia? – 41NBC

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via Olives Soon To Be The New ‘Peach’ For Georgia? – 41NBC.

Move over peaches and pecans, olives may soon start to  grow into Georgia’s number one cash crop.

Just ask Bob Krueger in Hawkinsville. He saw Georgia’s potential about a year ago when he planted a farm of olive trees. More specifically, he’s planting olive trees to produce olive oil.

“I’ve got 22 acres here, and I’ve got 13,200 trees planted here,” Kruger says.

He planted them in June of 2012, which means it will be at least another two years before his olive trees start producing enough fruit to actually produce and sell.

Georgia, specifically areas further south in the state, are actually quite perfect for the olive tree to thrive. The trees need a hot and dry climate, which is exactly what Hawkinsville provides.

Kruger noticed a few years ago something unique about the United States’ olive oil consumption. To start, he noticed that we consume nearly 74 million gallons of it every year, and of that, nearly 98% is imported.

“I noticed, gee whiz we’re only producing two percent of our own consumption here. That’s a tremendous market potential,” Krueger said.

Chick-fil-A Bowl to become Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl – ESPN

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via Chick-fil-A Bowl to become Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl – ESPN.

The Chick-fil-A Bowl will become the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl as part of the new College Football Playoff semifinal bowl rotation, bowl president Gary Stokan said.

BCS commissioners discussed Wednesday whether the bowl could only go by a corporation name as part of the six semifinal bowl rotation.

“They [the commissioners] want [the bowl names] to be parallel,” College Football Playoff executive director Bill Hancock said.

Rare Porsche 959 to be auctioned Saturday

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Photo by RM Auctions

As part of the auction of the car collection of Don Davis, this rare 1988 Porsche 959 “Komfort” model will be auctioned with no reserve. From the online auction brochure:

450 bhp, 2849 cc rear-mounted, air- and liquid-cooled, horizontally-opposed six-cylinder engine with twin two-stage turbochargers and intercooling, six-speed manual transmission, four-wheel drive, independent double wishbone front and rear suspension with electronically adjustable ride height and shock absorber control, and four-wheel hydraulic disc brakes with ventilated rotors. Wheelbase: 89.4 in.

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Senate passes bill to ease FAA furloughs | www.ajc.com

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via Senate passes bill to ease FAA furloughs | www.ajc.com.

With flight delays mounting, the Senate approved hurry-up legislation Thursday night to end air traffic controller furloughs blamed for inconveniencing large numbers of travelers.

A House vote on the measure was expected as early as Friday, with lawmakers eager to embark on a weeklong vacation.

Under the legislation, which the Senate passed without even a roll call vote, the Federal Aviation Administration would gain authority to transfer up to $253 million from accounts that are flush into other programs, to “prevent reduced operations and staffing” through the Sept. 30 end of the fiscal year.

In addition to restoring full staffing by controllers, Senate officials said the available funds should be ample enough to prevent the closure of small airport towers around the country. The FAA has said it will shut the facilities as it makes its share of $85 billion in across-the-board spending cuts — known as the sequester — that took effect last month at numerous government agencies.