Elizabeth Dole

“ Any exploration off our coast is bad for our tourism industry and bad for North Carolina.
As an editorial in the Charlotte Observer on March 31st of this year explains, “A drilling accident threatens everything North Carolinians hold dear about the coast – the beaches, the ocean water, the fin fish and shellfish, the pelicans and pipers, the marsh grass and live oaks. Allowing drilling off the coast of the Carolinas – in an area of the Atlantic that has some of the roughest weather in the world – is foolish.” ”

“ Protecting people from terrorists and criminals while building schools and lasting friendships is a good mission, no matter what brush it's tarred with. Nothing any talking head will say can deter me or my fellow Marines from caring about the people of Iraq, or take away from the sacrifices of our comrades. Fear in the face of adversity is human nature, and many people who take the counsel of their fears speak today. We are not deaf to their cries; neither do we take heed. All we ask is that Americans stand by us by supporting not just the troops, but also the mission. ”

“ I have supported a number of trade agreements that have come before the Senate, but in reviewing each trade bill, my number one concern is how that trade agreement would affect North Carolina. When I see an agreement that is bad for our state’s industries, I will fight tooth and nail to fix it – often getting concessions from the White House – so that policy is fairer for our workers and our economy. ”

“ In America – the land of prosperity and plenty – some people have the misconception that hunger plagues only far-away, undeveloped nations. The reality is that hunger is a silent enemy lurking within one in 10 U.S. households. In my home state of North Carolina alone, nearly one million of our 8.8 million residents are struggling with food security issues. In recent years, once-thriving North Carolina towns have been economically crippled by the shuttering of textile mills and furniture factories. ”

“ North Carolina’s network of 58 community colleges is one of the best in the nation. I know there are representatives from our system here, and let me tell you that if your ears have been burning, it’s because of all the bragging that I’ve been doing about you. You have truly been a beacon of hope during this economic transition – providing retraining and remedial education to those who have lost their jobs, and developing curriculum to suit the evolving needs of employers. ”

“ President, Judge John Roberts is indeed an outstanding choice to be the 17th Chief Justice of the United States. He is one of our nation’s top legal minds, and as the American public has learned, he is a man of great intelligence and skill who will serve our country with the same integrity that has been the hallmark of his professional career. ”

“ Automobile accidents caused by intoxicated illegal aliens are occurring around the nation – too often killing innocent people who are just going about their daily lives, or leaving the victims with crippling, disabling injuries.
It is a privilege, not a right, for an immigrant to receive legal status to live in the United States of America. My amendment would ensure that this privilege is not granted to an illegal alien with a DWI conviction. ”

“ I am in awe of the sacrifices made each and every day by our men and women in uniform in every branch of the military fighting the War on Terror.
Shortly after the attacks of September 11th Fred Cranford of Drexel, North Carolina talked about losing his 32-year-old son, Lieutenant Commander Eric Cranford, at the Pentagon. In the midst of a grief most of us cannot even imagine, Fred Cranford said, “Even out of evil, God can bring good things.” How right he was! While those terrorists intended their evil to divide this country – they have failed. ”

“ But when consumers want to actually purchase a financial tool or open an account, I believe most people need to feel a local presence, just as Charles Schwab discovered. This is the advantage that banks have over any other provider of financial services. You are already there. People working in a branch probably have kids in the same schools as their customers. The connections are there. The sense of community is there. Sure, there are insurance agents and maybe securities brokers in the town too - but they don't have the vaults and the sense of security that we all associate with banks. ”

“ If a couple works hard, lives within their means, and saves to have a nest egg for retirement and assets to pass on to their children, it should not be the policy of our government to take up to 45 percent upon their death. Clearly, this is an unfair and counterproductive taxation, and the death tax should be eliminated once and for all. ”

“ As a result of hunger, these children have higher levels of chronic illness, depression and behavior problems. This is a travesty that can and must be prevented, and school feeding programs provide a critical means to this end. The National School Lunch Program feeds 30 million children in more than 100,000 schools each day. While reduced price meals are available to students whose family income is below 130 percent of the poverty level, state and local school board members have informed me that many families struggle to even pay this fee. ”

“ We must fight for these veterans just as they have fought for us and our freedoms!
We must also continue to support those who are fighting for our freedoms now. We have the best equipped, most capable, most courageous military force in the world. They are fighting a daily battle in a war we all know requires steadfast commitment, both in the theater of battle and here at home. ”

“ Exploring off our coast would endanger North Carolina’s booming tourism industry, a true economic engine of my state. According to the North Carolina Department of Commerce, tourism is one of North Carolina’s largest industries, supporting nearly 183,000 jobs. And tourism remains strong, despite declines in other important North Carolina industries in my state such as textiles, furniture manufacturing, and fiber optics. ”

“ In addition to an educated workforce, we’ve got to have a healthy workforce. But ever-rising health care costs are putting real financial strains on individual consumers and businesses that provide employee coverage. It is essential that we address the availability and affordability of health care. We must empower families to make health care decisions based on their specific needs and allow them greater choice over how their health care dollars are spent. And, we must work to improve transparency and efficiency to better meet consumers’ needs. ”

“ I was privileged to call President Ford a dear friend for more than 30 years, and my husband Bob and I continue to keep Betty and the entire Ford family in our thoughts and prayers.
President Ford presided over America during some of her most difficult and challenging times. Immediately upon entering the Oval Office, President Ford was confronted with a myriad of problems – a faltering economy, energy shortages, international disputes and a nation disheartened and disillusioned by scandal. ”

“ People have lost their jobs – and sometimes their ability to put food on the table. I know this scenario is not unique to North Carolina, as many American manufacturing jobs have moved overseas. While many folks are finding new employment, these days a steady income doesn’t necessarily provide for three square meals a day.
To help struggling families and individuals, our nation is blessed to have many faith-based and other non-profit service organizations that work to fight hunger. ”

“ There is no question that now, more than ever, we must work to end our dependence on foreign oil – but we cannot do so by ignoring the wishes and economic needs of the majority of the people of North Carolina, and many other coastal states, who oppose this exploration. ”

“ Many people today are understandably excited about banking opportunities on the Internet. New alliances, new products, new markets are all possible through the Internet. But to my mind, the Internet can never totally replace the local bank. Sure, we all witnessed the emergence of Internet banks in the late 1990’s; but these banks never really caught on. When consumers are making major personal financial decisions, the Internet can be a very helpful research tool. The Internet is also very useful for consumers who monitor their bank accounts online. ”

“ I also support health insurance reform that allows small business to join together to form Small Business Health Plans. Roughly 45 million Americans are uninsured, and approximately 60 percent reside in a family employed by a small business. Small business health insurance reform would allow these employees to obtain the same economies of scale, bargaining clout, and administrative efficiencies now available to employees in large corporations and union health plans. ”

“ Private organizations and individuals are doing a great job – but with very limited resources. One of the single largest concerns for gleaners is transportation – how to actually get food to those in need. To help address this problem, I am proud to reintroduce today the Hunger Relief Trucking Tax Credit Act, which would change the tax code to give transportation companies tax incentives for volunteering trucks to transfer gleaned food. Specifically, my bill would create a 25-cent tax credit for each mile that food is transported for hunger relief efforts by a donated truck and driver. ”

“ The work that you do – enhancing financial stability among consumers, providing investment counsel, and in many cases, educating consumers on something as basic as the need for a savings account – promotes the American dream of opportunity for all our citizens. ”

“ It just needs caring people and a caring government, working together.” I agree, the battle to end hunger in our country is a campaign that cannot be won in months or even a few years – but it is a victory within reach. And I am motivated to do what I can to make a positive difference in this fight against hunger – both in the United States and beyond our borders. ”

“ My Senate work is guided by this plan to foster a pro-business climate, in North Carolina and across the nation, that will create jobs and grow our economy – by reducing taxes and other regulatory burdens, by educating and training a highly-skilled workforce, by building and updating infrastructure, and by ensuring affordable, accessible energy and health care. ”

“ Our mission in the War on Terror has led to the liberation of 50 million people. We have captured or killed 46 of the 55 most wanted in Iraq, including Saddam Hussein. The Iraqi Governing Council signed the Transitional Administrative Law. This unprecedented framework promises long overdue civil rights for all Iraqis. It ensures freedom of religion, freedom of expression, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly – and fundamental rights for women. ”

“ It is my strong belief that institutions that are fully integrated will be the true winners. In the past few years we have seen a trend of financial institutions seeking the ability to provide consumers all of their monthly financial services information on one statement. It is simplicity and convenience that consumers crave, and the institutions that are able to bundle and discount their services will prosper. ”

“ Each year, thousands of families flock to North Carolina beaches to enjoy the sun, dip in the cool waters, and spend time with family and friends. Visitors provide much needed tourism dollars that create and sustain jobs. ”

“ Our nation faces an escalating crisis that threatens the very future of our world-renowned health care system. North Carolina is one of 17 states the American Medical Association has declared a state in crisis – meaning that each day more North Carolinians are losing access to critical care. Sky-rocketing medical liability insurance premiums are forcing physicians to abandon their practices, and the cost of defensive medicine, or the tests and treatments doctors perform to avoid lawsuits, is estimated between $70 billion and $126 billion a year. ”

“ America owes so much to our veterans, especially when it comes to their health care needs. Waiting times to visit with a doctor are far too long. It’s often difficult to see specialists. Veterans in rural areas have to travel too far to get care at all. Especially as the average age of our nation’s veterans is rising, we must ensure quality health care for all veterans. ”

“ We are face to face with our destiny, and we must meet it with a high and resolute courage. For ours is the life of action, of strenuous performance of duty. Let us live in the harness, striving mightily. ”

“ Successful FEED Act-type programs already exist. For example, in Charlotte, North Carolina, the Community Culinary School recruits students from social service agencies, homeless shelters, halfway houses and work release programs. And just around the corner from here, 25 students recently began training in the DC Central Kitchen’s 68th culinary job training class. This is a model program, which began in 1990, and it is always a great privilege to visit the Kitchen and meet with the individuals who have faced adversity but are now on track for a career in the food service industry. ”

“ The majority of folks in North Carolina are opposed, and that is why I am again proud to be a strong voice for my state in fighting any effort to open up the Outer Continental Shelf to oil and gas exploration. ”

“ In the Senate, I strive to respect and uphold those traditions that have made our state great, while at the same time working towards a future that is more prosperous and more secure for every North Carolinian.
One of my top priorities is to ensure that international trade agreements are free and fair, so that our workers can remain competitive. If we open our markets to other countries, they must conduct business on a level playing field. ”

“ The very word bank tends to mean security, a concept we as consumers are increasingly striving for in our own lives. And banks are clearly established and anchored in our communities, with the equipment in place to deliver services to any town in any part of America. ”

“ In Biblical times, farmers were encouraged to leave crops in their fields for the poor and for travelers. It’s a practice we should be utilizing much more extensively today – considering that in this country, 27 percent of all the food produced annually is lost at the retail, consumer and food service levels. This means we are wasting about 3,044 pounds of good food every second! ”

“ Today terrorists continue their cowardly attacks aimed at innocent Iraqis, humanitarian aid workers, and families of all nationalities. Their latest attempts to divide and conquer are failing. Now the United States must continue the mission - and ensure they continue to fail. ”

“ In addition to fair trade policy, our businesses need a simple, fair and stable tax policy. Our future economic strength hinges on companies growing and creating new North Carolina opportunities and jobs, and there is no question that tax stability encourages companies to look ahead and make sound long-term business decisions. ”

“ Congress created them to provide needed liquidity to the mortgage market at a time when banks were limited in the number of loans they could make by the assets they held. As the market grew, Congress decided, that in exchange for the duopoly control, Fannie and Freddie should also fulfill a public mission: creating greater affordable housing opportunities for low-income Americans. This effort has been critical to minorities—less than half of minorities own their own home, compared to three-quarters of white Americans. ”

“ Today is the Sixth National Hunger Awareness Day – a day to reflect on the fact that in this nation alone more than 35 million people are experiencing hunger or are at risk for hunger. It is also a day to recognize the tremendous efforts of individuals who graciously give their time and resources to help those in need.
Hunger is far too prevalent, but I think Washington Post columnist David Broder hit the nail on the head when he wrote: “America has some problems that defy solution. ”

“ For the better part of the last century, our traditional industries of tobacco and textile and furniture manufacturing were the foundation of North Carolina’s prosperity. But in recent years, the forces of the global marketplace have triggered an economic transformation in our state. ”

“ In addition to bringing a little common-sense to our tax system, government must also be sensible when it comes to regulating businesses. We should be constantly evaluating the regulations imposed on business. ”

“ Fannie and Freddie talk a good game about helping low-income individuals. But their definitions of low-income are much higher than the requirements all of you must fulfill in your Community Reinvestment Activities (CRA) . This must change. They need a strong world-class regulator. They need a better definition of low-income. They need to use their implicit subsidy to truly lower the costs of homeownership for all Americans. ”