Washington, DC, June 11) – Rep. Norm Dicks (D-WA) announced important funding increases for key environmental programs, Native American Tribes, and federal land management agencies included in a spending package now up for consideration by the full House Appropriations Committee.
As Chairman of the House Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee, Rep. Dicks worked to include badly needed funding increases for our National Parks, Forests, and Wildlife Refuges, as well as the Environmental Protection Agency, Native American tribes, and national art and cultural institutions within his Subcommittee’s jurisdiction. The Interior Subcommittee approved the Fiscal Year 2009 spending package by voice vote on June 11, and the bill is expected to come before the full Appropriations Committee next week.
In rejecting more than $1 billion in cuts proposed by President Bush, Rep. Dicks’ legislation provides a responsible 4.9 percent funding increase for these critical programs. “This bill is an important step in the right direction,” said Dicks. “We must reverse the irresponsible cuts proposed by the current administration.”
The Subcommittee-passed bill will help reverse years of draconian budget cuts opposed by both Democrats and Republicans. The legislation includes the following important initiatives:
· Supporting our National Parks: A $158 million increase for the operational budget of our National Parks, and a total of $2.6 billion for the National Park Service.
· Protecting human health and our environment: $7.8 billion for the Environmental Protection Agency, an increase of $371 million over last year.
· Bridging present gaps at National Wildlife Refuges: $469 million for the National Wildlife Refuge system, an increase of $35 million over the current funding level.
· Reversing years of Forest Service funding cuts – protecting watersheds endangered by failing roads: Dramatic funding increases for the Forest Service – with an additional $473 million over the President’s request to maintain current service levels.
· An unprecedented funding increase for Native American Tribes in Washington and across the nation: The largest ever increase for the Indian Health Service and the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA). Norm’s bill increases funding by $350 million over current funding levels.
· Funding the arts and the humanities: $160 million for the National Endowment for the Arts and $160 million for the National Endowment for the Humanities – up by $15 million from current funding levels for each Endowment.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Friday, June 6, 2008
Congressman Norm Dicks wins award for his, “tireless fight for Washington’s citizens and natural resources…”
Congressman Dicks, Chairman of the House interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee, has received an award from the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife for his national leadership on natural resource issues.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Rep. Norm Dicks Files for Re-election
6th District Democrat says he will continue fight for job creation, environmental protection and community development
(Tacoma, WA June 2) U.S. Congressman Norm Dicks, the senior member of the state's congressional delegation, filed for re-election today, noting his desire to continue playing a key role on issues related to environmental protection, national defense and community development in the Pacific Northwest.
The congressman submitted his notification of candidacy to the Secretary of State in Olympia today, indicating that he is seeking a 17th term representing Washington's 6th congressional district. The 6th District includes six counties along the South Puget Sound and the Olympic Peninsula: parts of Pierce, Kitsap and Mason Counties, in addition to Clallam, Jefferson and Grays Harbor County.
We have accomplished a lot for the communities that I represent in Congress, said Rep. Dicks. I look forward to continuing my fight on behalf of my constituents for job creation, environmental stewardship, and to ensure that our military service members, veterans, and their families have the resources they deserve for their national service. He said his key positions on congressional committees provide a valuable opportunity to bring substantial federal attention to problems in the Pacific Northwest.
In the House, Rep. Dicks serves as chairman of the Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee, vice-chairman of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, and a member of the Military Construction/Veterans Appropriations subcommittee. In addition he is a senior member of the House Committee on Homeland Security.
Rep. Dicks has a strong legacy of leadership on behalf of the 6th Congressional District and the State of Washington. Dicks said he would focus on five key areas during the next term.
Moving our economy in the right direction: Norm will fight for a national economic plan to responsibly manage federal spending and emphasize the creation of more family wage jobs through investments in infrastructure in the 6th Congressional District and throughout Washington State. He strongly supported an increase in the federal minimum wage and has worked hard to bring new small businesses to communities in the 6th District in order to create good jobs for our next generation.
Creating economic opportunity through a responsible energy policy: Norm will continue fighting for a responsible energy policy focused on conservation, reducing our dependence on foreign sources of oil and the creation of new domestic energy production, including a boost in energy from renewable sources. Norm has supported increasing in federal fuel efficiency standards and the expansion of federal incentives for domestic, renewable energy production, such as solar, wind, geothermal, and efficient hydropower. Norm believes Washington State has a real opportunity to lead this national charge toward oil independence and green jobs.
Environmental protection and natural resources stewardship: Norm has been a tireless advocate for environmental protection and natural resource stewardship, including his dedication in recent years to improving the conditions at America's National Parks. As Chairman of a key funding committee in Congress, Norm has secured vital federal resources to help protect Puget Sound, Hood Canal and the critical rehabilitation of endangered or threatened Northwest salmon runs.
Pushing for health care for all Americans: Norm believes every American should have access to affordable health care. Norm will continue to fight for legislation that improves health care access and reduces the number of kids and families in America who remain uninsured.
Supporting our service members and bringing them home from Iraq: Throughout his career, Norm has been a leading advocate for a strong national defense and for a united stand against international terrorism. He strongly supports bringing our troops home from Iraq and he has supported legislation that would achieve a responsible and prompt transfer of responsibility for safety and security to the new Iraqi government. In addition, Norm recognizes the importance of ensuring that our fighting men and women have the necessary equipment and are adequately cared for -- both during and after their service to America. Norm is proud to have supported the largest increase in veterans health care funding in the 77-year history of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
(Tacoma, WA June 2) U.S. Congressman Norm Dicks, the senior member of the state's congressional delegation, filed for re-election today, noting his desire to continue playing a key role on issues related to environmental protection, national defense and community development in the Pacific Northwest.
The congressman submitted his notification of candidacy to the Secretary of State in Olympia today, indicating that he is seeking a 17th term representing Washington's 6th congressional district. The 6th District includes six counties along the South Puget Sound and the Olympic Peninsula: parts of Pierce, Kitsap and Mason Counties, in addition to Clallam, Jefferson and Grays Harbor County.
We have accomplished a lot for the communities that I represent in Congress, said Rep. Dicks. I look forward to continuing my fight on behalf of my constituents for job creation, environmental stewardship, and to ensure that our military service members, veterans, and their families have the resources they deserve for their national service. He said his key positions on congressional committees provide a valuable opportunity to bring substantial federal attention to problems in the Pacific Northwest.
In the House, Rep. Dicks serves as chairman of the Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee, vice-chairman of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, and a member of the Military Construction/Veterans Appropriations subcommittee. In addition he is a senior member of the House Committee on Homeland Security.
Rep. Dicks has a strong legacy of leadership on behalf of the 6th Congressional District and the State of Washington. Dicks said he would focus on five key areas during the next term.
Moving our economy in the right direction: Norm will fight for a national economic plan to responsibly manage federal spending and emphasize the creation of more family wage jobs through investments in infrastructure in the 6th Congressional District and throughout Washington State. He strongly supported an increase in the federal minimum wage and has worked hard to bring new small businesses to communities in the 6th District in order to create good jobs for our next generation.
Creating economic opportunity through a responsible energy policy: Norm will continue fighting for a responsible energy policy focused on conservation, reducing our dependence on foreign sources of oil and the creation of new domestic energy production, including a boost in energy from renewable sources. Norm has supported increasing in federal fuel efficiency standards and the expansion of federal incentives for domestic, renewable energy production, such as solar, wind, geothermal, and efficient hydropower. Norm believes Washington State has a real opportunity to lead this national charge toward oil independence and green jobs.
Environmental protection and natural resources stewardship: Norm has been a tireless advocate for environmental protection and natural resource stewardship, including his dedication in recent years to improving the conditions at America's National Parks. As Chairman of a key funding committee in Congress, Norm has secured vital federal resources to help protect Puget Sound, Hood Canal and the critical rehabilitation of endangered or threatened Northwest salmon runs.
Pushing for health care for all Americans: Norm believes every American should have access to affordable health care. Norm will continue to fight for legislation that improves health care access and reduces the number of kids and families in America who remain uninsured.
Supporting our service members and bringing them home from Iraq: Throughout his career, Norm has been a leading advocate for a strong national defense and for a united stand against international terrorism. He strongly supports bringing our troops home from Iraq and he has supported legislation that would achieve a responsible and prompt transfer of responsibility for safety and security to the new Iraqi government. In addition, Norm recognizes the importance of ensuring that our fighting men and women have the necessary equipment and are adequately cared for -- both during and after their service to America. Norm is proud to have supported the largest increase in veterans health care funding in the 77-year history of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Monday, June 2, 2008
Bremerton Marina Gets a Glittery Christening Ceremony
Congressman Norm Dicks, who played an integral part in finding funding for the brand new state of the art marina, attending the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the port of Bremerton Marina on Saturday evening. http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2008/may/31/bremerton-marina-officially-christened-into-the/
Monday, May 19, 2008
Norm Dicks secures Democratic nomination handily, starts campaign strong
Congressman Norm Dicks has secured the nomination of democrats in his district for the 17th consecutive election.
"I want to thank democrats in my district for strongly supporting my candidacy," said Congressman Norm Dicks. I look forward to fighting for positive economic development and environmental stewardship in the other Washington on behalf of my constituents."
Norm secured the nomination at a convention held in Shelton on May 17th. Norm was nominated by Mason County's Marilyn Sayan and Tacoma Metro Parks Commissioner Ryan Mello. During his remarks, Norm focused on his efforts to secure family-wage jobs, bring our troops home form Iraq, and restore Puget Sound and Hood Canal.
Norm is the Chairman of the Interior and Environment Appropriations subcommittee, which sets funding priorities for our public lands and funds the Environmental Protection Agency. Norm has used his position to help secure vital federal resources for National Parks in Washington State, addressing the threat posed by global climate change, and restoring Puget Sound and Hood Canal. As Vice Chairman of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, Norm has strongly supported legislative initiatives to bring our troops home from Iraq.
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