Posted by Joel Mathis May 5, 2005 at 7:22 a.m.

Agricultural terrorism

Pat Roberts links [(KC Star) Roberts: U.S. works to protect agriculture:][1] A simulated attack on American agriculture caused "utter chaos" and revealed how unprepared the country was, Sen. Pat Roberts, a Kansas Republican, told a symposium Wednesday. The chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee was in Kansas City for the first International Symposium on Agroterrorism. He told those attending that important steps had been taken since that exercise after Sept. 11, 2001. He said the daily threat assessments prepared by the intelligence community now include the safety of the food supply.Sam Brownback links [(AP) Brownback meets with activists, emphasizes regional ties:][2] Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., huddled with activists and lawmakers Tuesday, touting his regional appeal in a state where precinct caucuses launch the presidential nominating season. "Historically, that's been a significant advantage," said Brownback during a one-day visit in Iowa. "It's exploratory, assessing the issues and possibilities," said Brownback, who is pondering a bid for the GOP presidential nomination in 2008. "The country is very comfortable with the kind of Midwestern sensibilities and Midwestern style," Brownback said. "It's solid, but not in your face."[(Albanian News Bulletin) U.S. senator to introduce resolution on Albanian elections:][3] U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback, Chairman of the U.S. Helsinki Commission, said on Tuesday he intends to introduce a resolution in the U.S. Senate calling for upcoming elections in Albania to be free and fair. The decision was made in the wake of an April 28 telephone call between Sen. Brownback and Erion Veliaj of Mjaft, an Albanian pro-democracy organization. [(Agape Press commentary) Commentary & News Briefs:][4] A senator on the Senate Judiciary Committee believes the end is near in the battle over judicial nominations. Kansas Republican Sam Brownback says the president's nominees are getting closer and closer to being approved. "There have been offers of some compromise from the Democrats, but all the offers are based upon several of these ... Nominations [being] killed for no reason at all," he explains. Brownback says those offers have been rejected, and the GOP -- now tired of waiting -- is bowing its back for an attack of its own.[(Press Release) BioShield II Marks a First in Bio-Terror Debate:][5] Sen. Joseph Lieberman, ranking member of the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, introduced the legislation, "The Project BioShield II Act of 2005," with two other senators, Orrin Hatch and Sam Brownback. The first BioShield bill, signed into law by President Bush in 2004, set up advance purchase commitments for the procurement of medical countermeasures for the National Strategic Stockpile from a fund of $5.6 billion. The Lieberman legislation seeks to strengthen U.S. preparedness by accelerating the research, development and manufacture of novel countermeasure agents, but also addresses a myriad of other preparedness and response issues.Dennis Moore links [(Washington Post) Bipartisan Group Asks House to Set Aside Politics, Give D.C. Vote:][6] Bipartisan backers of legislation to grant the District a vote in Congress yesterday urged House leaders not to allow political divisions to thwart efforts to give representation to 550,000 U.S. citizens in the nation's capital. ... Davis said he has 11 co-sponsors, up from five last year, comprising 10 Republicans and one Democrat, Dennis Moore (Kan.). Jim Ryun links [(Press release) Communities First Act Introduced by Rep. Ryun:][7] The Communities First Act, ICBA-backed legislation designed to help local financial institutions better serve the needs of their communities by providing badly needed regulatory relief and tax reform, was introduced today by Rep. Jim Ryun (R-Kan.), a senior member of the House Financial Services Committee.How to contact As always, you can find information to contact members of the Kansas congressional delegation [here.][8] [1]: http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/local/11565834.htm [2]: http://www.ljworld.com/section/citynews/story/203803 [3]: http://albanianbulletin.blogspot.com/2005/05/us-senator-to-introduce-resolution-on_05.html [4]: http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/5/42005h.asp [5]: http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/050504/flw003.html?.v=10 [6]: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/05/03/AR2005050301159.html [7]: http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/050503/dctuv006.html?.v=2 [8]: http://ljworld.com/extra/where_to_write.html#fed