Victims of Fort Hood Remembered on Veterans Day

Last Wednesday, I had the privilege of speaking at the Veterans Day service held at the Trevor-Wilmot Consolidated Grade School which was well attended by students, staff, veterans, and members of the community.  First Lady Jessica Doyle delivered the keynote address.

Although Veterans Day is an important holiday we must observe every year, this year proved to be very different.  Just days before paying tribute to our nation's heroes who fought in wars on foreign lands, we lost several of our finest men and women here on our own soil in the senseless terrorist attack at the Fort Hood military base in Texas.  If that didn't hit close enough to home, the fact that two of the fallen soldiers were from Wisconsin did, particularly the loss of Racine County native Captain Russell Seager.  Our state also mourns the loss of Staff Sergeant Amy Krueger, a native of Kiel.  In addition to Captain Seager and Staff Sergeant Krueger, there were four soldiers from Wisconsin who were among the wounded.  All six of these heroes as well as their comrades at Fort Hood were remembered during the Veterans Day service at Trevor-Wilmot, as everyone's hearts and prayers went out to the families and friends of the victims of this tragedy.

In the days following the attack on Fort Hood, we learned how Captain Seager was inspired to "step up and join the military" after years of training in the medical field.  We also learned of Staff Sergeant Krueger's motivation to join the military and "get bin Laden" after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.  Their nation will always be grateful to them and their fellow fallen comrades for their sacrifice.

As we enter the holiday season, let us keep the soldiers and the families affected by the attack on Fort Hood in our thoughts and prayers.  Let us also remember the heroes currently serving far from home and in harm's way as well as our veterans who served in wars past.  On Veterans Day and always,  their service and sacrifice is appreciated.

Rep. Samantha Kerkman and First Lady Jessica Doyle at the Trevor-Wilmot Consolidated Grade School's Veterans Day Program on November 11th.

Session Wrap-up and Passage of AB 280

Last week, the Assembly completed its session work for the year and will reconvene again near the end of January 2010.  Among the bills that were passed was Assembly Bill 280 which I co-authored with Representative Terry Van Akkeren.  The purpose of AB 280 is to provide law enforcement officials with the authority to seize computers used in the commission of crimes.  This will further assist them in their investigations, especially when the internet is involved.  Once an investigation has been completed, law enforcement officials may then donate the computer(s) to a non-profit organization or government agency, or they may sell it and retain 50 percent of the profits.  The other 50 percent must be deposited into the school fund.  After it passed, AB 280 was message to the Senate where it was referred to the Committee on Judiciary, Corrections, Insurance, Campaign Finance Reform, and Housing for further consideration.

$10,000 Check Presented to Love Incorporated

On Tuesday, Representative Robin Vos and I presented a $10,000 check to the Love Incorporated Food Bank here in Burlington.  As a member of the Joint Finance Committee, Rep. Vos was able to get the funding included within the 2009-2011 State Budget through a motion during the committee's review of the budget.  According to Love's Executive Director, Bill Schoessling, 100 percent of the funds were directed to the food bank and will serve 477 area families in need.

I have no doubt that as a result of the economy, there are more families in need right here in our own community than just a year or two ago.  The $10,000 in funding that Rep. Vos was able to include within the budget will certainly go a long way in ensuring that a large number of these affected families will be able to keep food on their tables, especially as we approach the holiday season.

Founded in 1983 by area residents to help local families coping with financial and economic hardships, Love Incorporated grew to a non-profit network of churches and community volunteers that coordinate over 40 different programs.  These programs provide  tailored support and assistance to children, adults, families, seniors, and the disabled.  In 2007 alone, Love provided assistance to more than 30,000 people in need.  Each year, the food bank provides an average of $500,000 in goods and services to those in need.

If you would like to learn more about the Love Incorporated Food Bank and find out how you can help area families in need, please visit www.love-inc.net or call 262-763-6226. 

Rep. Samantha Kerkman and Rep. Robin Vos present a $10,000 check to Love Incorporated Food Bank's Executive Director Bill Schoessling.

New Website Launched

I am very pleased to announce the launching of my new website as a way of better serving the 66th Assembly District in our increasingly high-tech world.  In contrast to my current web profile that's accessible through the Wisconsin Legislature's website, my new website features a variety of links and descriptions of the services available to constituents and how they may take advantage of these services.  Whether you are looking to book a tour of the Capitol, plan a weekend outing with your family to one of Wisconsin's many state parks, catch up on the latest state and federal government news, or need assistance with contacting one of the state agencies, this new website will direct you to whichever resource best accommodates your needs.

To view the site and access the variety of information it contains, please visit the website at http://www.legis.state.wi.us/assembly/asm66/news/.  Feel free to check back often as I will be updating it regularly with new photos, videos, links, and the latest editions of Capitol Insight.

Wisconsin Blue Books still Available