releases: http://cook.house.gov//media-center/newsletter/congressman-cooks-newsletter-november-25-2014
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| http://cook.house.gov//media-center/newsletter/congressman-cooks-newsletter-november-25-2014 | Congressman Cook's Newsletter: November 25, 2014 | 2014-11-25 | 2014 | 2014-11 | Republican | House | CA | Paul Cook | C001094 | cook.house.gov | legacy | Capitol Update A Message from Congressman Cook: It's Time to Secure Our Borders The message in this last election was clear: the American people want the president and Congress to work together to secure our borders. Unfortunately, this appears to have fallen on deaf ears with President Obama. He could have asked Congress to take up this issue during the “lame duck” session, or he could have waited until January when the new Congress was sworn in. Unfortunately, rather than listening to the American people and working with Congress to strengthen our borders, the president chose to violate the Constitution with an executive order granting amnesty to millions of illegal immigrants. The challenge is finding a way to respond to the president’s illegal action. Some have argued that the best way to block this amnesty is to simply defund the agencies that would implement it. However, President Obama has already indicated that he will veto any legislation that defunds his amnesty. We saw last year that the president and his allies, who control the Senate until January, have no problem shutting down the government for as long as it takes to force their will on the American people. A shutdown would devastate our already weak economy and harm tens of millions of Americans. While there is no good way to block the president’s executive order directly, there are two appropriate responses from Congress. First, the newly elected Senate should demand that any nominees for positions that oversee this amnesty program, as well as any judicial nominees, repudiate the administration’s power grab. If they will not give this commitment, the Senate should deny confirmation. Preventing the administration from filling the key positions to implement amnesty would slow and could even reverse this policy. Similarly, any judicial nominees that aren’t willing to reject this usurpation of Congress’ lawmaking authority are not fit to serve on the federal bench. Additionally, the first priority for the new Congress must be to pass a real border security bill that will put an end to mass illegal immigration into America. This bill should include all of the fencing, sensors, and surveillance equipment necessary to secure and monitor the entire U.S.-Mexico border from the Pacific Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico. Additionally, it should include a significantly increased border patrol as well as placing enough National Guard troops on the border as necessary to end infiltration efforts. Additionally, this bill must mandate the use of E-Verify for all new hires and contain harsh penalties for companies that employ illegal labor. The president’s more limited DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) amnesty sparked the current wave of illegal immigrant children pouring across our border, and it’s certain that his latest action will result in millions of new illegal immigrants in the coming months and years. President Obama’s action does nothing to secure our border or protect our citizens, so Congress must act. Sending a border-security bill to the president’s desk will force him to prove once and for all if he meant what he said when he claimed to support a comprehensive immigration fix. Failure to sign a border security bill will show that the president was never interested in a secure border. It’s time to hold the president’s feet to the fire. It’s time to secure our borders. This editorial first appeared in the San Bernardino County Sun on November 25, 2014, and can be seen here: https://www.sbsun.com/opinion/20141125/obamas-executive-action-on-immigration-x2014-2-ways-congress-should-respond-paul-cook Congressman Cook Co-Sponsors Legislation to Put Target on Kidnappers and Terrorists Congressman Cook joined Congressman Paul Gosar in introducing legislation to create a new program to reward American allies in the Global War on Terror. This program will provide a $5,000,000 cash reward to individuals providing information leading to the capture of any person involved with the kidnapping and murder of American citizens. The legislation will reward people brave enough to assist the U.S. in bringing terrorists to justice. It will also deter ISIS and other foreign terrorist organizations from continuing their murderous ways. Cook said, “The horrific murders of American hostages must end. Paying ransoms to terrorists who kidnap and murder Americans does nothing but put a target on American citizens. This bill puts the target where it belongs: on the kidnappers and terrorists who threaten Americans.” Congressman Cook Votes to Protect American Manufacturing Congressman Cook voted in favor of H.R. 4795, the Promoting New Manufacturing Act. This bill helps businesses comply with new or revised air quality standards from the EPA and will reduce delays in the preconstruction permitting process for new factories and expansion projects. The Promoting New Manufacturing Act increases transparency by creating a dashboard for the number of permits issued annually and timelines for final preconstruction permit decisions. It reduces permit delays by ensuring the EPA provides timely guidelines about how to comply with air quality standards affecting the permit applications. This bill also promotes more efficient processing of permits by requiring the EPA to send a report to Congress every year on the actions the agency is taking to expedite the permitting process. Cook said, “This commonsense bill is about putting hard working Americans back to work. This legislation reduces job-killing regulations by streamlining the permitting process. The Promoting New Manufacturing Act is critical to growing America’s manufacturing industry. I urge the Senate to pass this bill to boost our economy and create good-paying American jobs.” Congressman Cook’s Bill to Rename 29 Palms Post Office for Col. Mac Dube Passes House H.R. 5331 passed in the House of Representatives. The bill renames the facility located at 73839 Gorgonio Drive in Twentynine Palms as the “Colonel M.J ‘Mac’ Dube, USMC Post Office Building. Cook introduced the legislation in July, after Dube passed away in April 2014. Dube served thirty years in the United States Marine Corps. He was a decorated combat veteran and served as Chief of Staff at the Twentynine Palms Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center. His personal and unit decorations include the Silver Star, Legion of Merit, four Bronze Star Medals with Combat “V,” four Purple Hearts, two Air Medals, the Joint Service Commendation Medal with Combat “V,” three Navy Commendation Medals with Combat “V,” the Army Commendation Medal, the Combat Action Ribbon, four Presidential Unit Citations, three Navy Unit Citations, and two Good Conduct Medals. Following his retirement from the Marines, he began his involvement with the City of Twentynine Palms in 1994. He served as councilmember and held various roles including a stint as a field representative for a San Bernardino County Supervisor. He was the co-grand marshal for the Pioneer Days Parade in 2010 and was involved with numerous community organizations. Cook said, “Mac and I both served as colonels at the same time, an honor I’ll always remember and cherish. The Marine Corps has an old saying, ‘No greater friend, no worse enemy.’ This could not have been truer for Mac, he was a great Marine and his thirty years, four Purple Hearts, and a Silver Star deserve our recognition. “The naming of the Twentynine Palms Post Office after Mac is a fitting tribute to a man who dedicated his life to his nation and the Twentynine Palms community. Mac served his nation honorably and left a legacy for all those who come after him. He’ll always be remembered in Twentynine Palms for his hard work, dedication, and patriotism. This post office will stand as a testament to all he did.” District Update A Thanksgiving Message from Congressman Cook Thanksgiving is a day when we take time out of our busy lives to gather with family, friends, and neighbors. We remember all that we’re thankful for and enjoy the time we’re able to spend with loved ones. We reflect on all the accomplishments and challenges from the past year and think about what next year may hold for us. As I gather with my friends and family this Thanksgiving, I’ll be thankful for having the privilege of representing California’s 8th District in Congress. I constantly keep in my thoughts and prayers all the service men and women who are not home. They’re serving our nation far away from their families and in harm’s way. For them and for their sacrifices, we are especially grateful. I’ll continue my work to protect our freedoms and to ensure that our children and grandchildren inherit a stronger more prosperous nation. I wish you and your family a safe and Happy Thanksgiving! Thanksgiving Meals and Food Banks If you or anyone you know is in need of a warm meal over the Thanksgiving holiday, below is a list of some places in the community that may be able to help. The Lords Table 15512 6th Street Victorville, CA 92395 Thursday, November 27, 2014 12:00 p.m.- 2:00 p.m. Call (760) 241-2043 The Salvation Army 14585 La paz Dr. Victorville, CA 92392 Thursday, November 27, 2014 11:00 a.m.- 1:30 p.m. Call (760) 245-2545 Victor Valley Rescue Mission Victor Valley High School 16350 Mojave Dr. Victorville, CA 92395 Tuesday, November 25, 2014 12:00 p.m.- 3:00 p.m. Call (760) 955-5958 The Salvation Army 838 N. Alta St. Redlands, CA 92374 Thursday, November 27, 2014 Call (909) 792-8818 Congressman Cook Celebrates Small Business Saturday Congressman Cook encourages everyone to take part in Small Business Saturday this coming Saturday, November 29. First observed on November 27, 2010, it is a counterpart to Black Friday and Cyber Monday, which feature big box retail and e-commerce stores. Small Business Saturday encourages holiday shoppers to patronize brick and mortar businesses that are small and local. You can find participating small businesses, and use the hash tag #SmallBizSat and tweet at me @RepPaulCook to show your support for businesses in the district. Congressman Cook Recognizes Local Family on National Adoption Day “It was important to do something, not just share a status update,” says Rebecca Frascotti McNutt when asked why she chose to adopt three young children. Rebecca and her husband Scott welcomed their son Preston 15 years ago. Then, disaster struck. Scott was serving in the military on September 11, 2001. The Barstow couple knew Scott’s military duties would take him away from home, and they pressed pause on expanding their family. Fast forward to 2011. Scott retired and it was time for some new faces in the McNutt household. “We didn’t have this overwhelming need for our kids to be biologically related to us,” said Rebecca. She and her husband chose to foster children, and took in Roman shortly after Scott’s retirement. A few years later the boy’s parents rights were terminated, and Scott and Rebecca were asked if they wanted to make his stay permanent. Rebecca and Scott jumped at the opportunity, adopting Roman and his younger brother Jonathan. Then, the call came to take in a little girl, who was just a day old. Rebecca and Scott were up to the challenge. The couple cared for Amelia for nearly a year and a half, and adopted her on November 20, 2014. The couple says adoption is a different way of building their family, and they couldn’t turn their backs on children in need. Rebecca says her biological son has had to make the biggest adjustment, going from an only child to having three siblings. She says Preston has risen to the occasion, “he understands where they’re coming out of,” says Rebecca, “he sees the need as well.” With a full house the McNutts are no longer fostering children, allowing Rebecca and Scott to give their four children all their love. There are an estimated 100,000 kids in the U.S. in need of a good home. As a member of the Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth, Congressman Cook is committed to finding solutions to the challenges facing all foster youth and improving child outcomes. These children are our future. Congressman Cook commends the McNutt family for stepping forward and giving these children a loving home. Preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Map Released The Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has presented the Preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) panels and Flood Insurance Study (FIS) report components for San Bernardino County and Incorporated Areas for the community to review. You can view the map here. Viewing Parties for Orion EFT-1 Orion Exploration Flight Test-One (EFT-1) is scheduled for liftoff from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on December 4 at 7:05 am (Subject to change). You can learn more about NASA’s exploration goals and space program at viewing parties at the NASA Armstrong Educator Resource Center -AERO Institute, at 38256 N. Sierra Highway, Suite A in Palmdale, CA, and Armstrong Flight Research Center Visitor Center, at 4800 Lilly Drive in Edwards, CA, NASA is building a human space exploration system, including the Orion and the Space Launch System, that will provide an entirely new capability to launch cargo and crewed missions, extend human presence beyond low-Earth Orbit, and enable new missions of exploration throughout the solar system. The Orion spacecraft is a key component of this plan, and Orion’s first mission – EFT-1 – will set NASA on the journey to accomplishing these goals. During EFT-1, Orion will travel farther than any human spaceflight vehicle has traveled in 40 years. NASA Orion can be found on Facebook (NASA’s Orion Spacecraft), Twitter (@NASA_Orion), Google Plus (NASA Orion), and Flickr (NASA Orion Spacecraft). Events Happening in the District On Tuesday, November 25 the Highland Chamber will hold its luncheon and annual meeting of membership. The event will be held at the Spring Lake Clubhouse at 6892 Cloverhill Dr. It will start at 11:30 AM and wrap up at 1:00 PM. On Wednesday, November 26 the Apple Valley Chamber of Commerce will hold its meeting from 12:00 PM to 12:30 PM. The meeting will be held at the Apple Valley Country Club Rancho Redz. On Saturday, November 29 the City of Yucaipa in conjunction with the Yucaipa Valley Chamber of Commerce will host the Winter Fest. The event will include a snow play area, kid’s fun zone, roving carolers, holiday shopping and craft fair, food vendors, a holiday concert and a tree lighting ceremony. The event is free, but there will be fees for select event attractions. The event will get underway at 5 PM at Uptown Yucaipa Blvd. Also on Saturday, November 29 the City of Yucaipa will celebrate 25 years of city hood with a Silver Jubilee Dinner. The dinner will be held in Uptown Yucaipa from 6 PM to 8 PM. Congratulations to Naomi Oyadomari, Teachers “R” Heroes Award Winner Students and teachers packed the gym at Lucerne Valley Middle School to celebrate Miss. Naomi Oyadomari, winner of the Teachers “R” Heroes award. Better known as, “Miss O,” the award recognizes her dedication to her students and profession. This award is made possible by Victor Valley College, El Dorado Broadcasters, and San Bernardino County Schools. To nominate a teacher click here. Congrats Miss O, thanks again for all you do for our youth! Military Nominations Final Reminder! If you are a current high school senior and are interested in attending one of our nation’s prestigious military academies, I encourage you to fill out an application through my office. Young Americans who attend West Point, the Naval Academy at Annapolis, or the Air Force Academy receive a world-class university education. This gives them the skills to not only serve in our nation’s armed forces, but to lead successful careers later in life. The deadline to apply is December 1, 2014. The application for a service academy nomination can be found here. Veterans Corner My office is here to help you. If you or someone you know needs help with the Veterans' Administration please call my Apple Valley District Office at 760-247-1815. All Veterans Job Fair Disabled American Veterans and Recruit Military will host an all veteran’s job fair on December 4. It will be held at Liberty Station’s Naval Training Center Promenade at Corky McMillin Event Center in San Diego. The job fair will start at 11 AM and wrap up at 3 PM. You can find more information here. 2014 Leroy Huff Memorial Walk This annual event is held in memory of Leroy Huff. Huff, a Vietnam Veteran and Marine Master Gunnery Sergeant, lost his battle with pancreatic cancer in December 2013. The memorial walk and run will be held on Saturday, November 29 in Riverside, CA. All the money raised will go toward educational programs to help people better understand and fight the disease. For more information call 951-241-6168. Wreaths Across America Every year before Christmas thousands of holiday wreaths are placed on service members graves in every National cemetery across the country. You can add to the number of wreaths by purchasing one by December 2. Wreaths are $15.00 each, and will be delivered and placed at any National cemetery. This year the ceremony will be on Saturday, December 13 at The Riverside National Cemetery ceremony, starting at 9 AM. The public is welcome to attend. This is a formal event, and appropriate dress is required. Military and retired military are encouraged to wear the appropriate uniform. To sponsor a wreath click here. For more information click here. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |