Chambliss Staffer Honored by the University of Georgia Chapter of the National Football Foundation & College Hall

U.S. Senator Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., today announced that long-time staffer and former University of Georgia football player, Marisa Simpson, was presented with a post-graduate achievement award this week by the University of Georgia Chapter of the National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame. Post-Graduate Achievement Awards recognize former UGA athletes who have distinguished themselves in their chosen careers. Simpson, who played collegiate football from 1992-1996, serves as Chambliss’ Regional Representative for the Atlanta-area.

“It gives me great pleasure to congratulate Marisa on being recognized for his outstanding collegiate and professional achievements,” said Chambliss. “The same drive and hard work that guided him on the football field has transcended into a strong work ethic and has made him a tremendous asset as a long-time member of my staff. Marisa has a genuine personality and sense of humor and he’s truly a great individual. This award is well-deserved.”

Six additional former UGA student-athletes also received awards during the spring banquet, including Buck Bradberry, Bob West, Ed Greenway, Rusty Epperson, Chris Hammond, and Jim Curington. Georgia head football coach Mark Richt recognized UGA scholar-athletes and Georgia high school scholar-athletes during this event.

Born in Norcross, Georgia, Simpson attended Norcross High School and played football and ran track for the Blue Devils. While in high school, Simpson was named to the Gwinnett County All County Track and Football teams his junior and senior year. He participated in the North/South All Star Game, and was included in the Macon Telegraph’s "Sweet 16." Simpson was listed in the Atlanta Journal Constitution as the 22nd best athlete in the State of Georgia for his senior class.

Simpson attended the University of Georgia from 1992-1996 and lettered in football from 1994-1996. He was honored with the Most Outstanding Award for the scout team in 1992. His greatest moment between the hedges occurred when he was on the receiving end of a five-yard touchdown pass from Eric Zeier that set the all time SEC Passing record. Off the field, Simpson was a model student, garnering multiple dean's list honors.

After Simpson left the university, he has worked with multiple charities and volunteer organizations throughout his life. Simpson has been a member of Chambliss’ staff since 1997. He and his wife, Aimee, live in Tucker, Georgia.

Chambliss Statement on the Announced Merger of Delta and Northwest

U.S. Senator Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., today made the following statement regarding the merger between Delta Air Lines and Northwest Airlines:

“For more than 60 years, Delta Air Lines has been a leading employer of countless Georgians and has established itself as an economic engine for the Southeast. Delta has met its challenges head on and is in a strong position to continue its service to people all over the world. The bottom line is Georgia has always been home for Delta and that is the way it should remain for many more years. I look forward to further details on this merger and will continue working to ensure that the interests of all parties involved, the employees and the customers in particular, are met in the strongest way possible.”

Isakson Praises Passage of Legislation to Stimulate Housing Market

U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., today praised the Senate’s passage of legislation to stimulate the nation’s declining housing market. The legislation includes Isakson’s proposal to offer tax credits to individuals purchasing a foreclosed home or a home where foreclosure is pending. The legislation passed by a vote of 84 to 12.

“Our country and our economy face a serious challenge in the next 12 months. The number of unsold new homes and foreclosed resale homes will reach unprecedented numbers. Lenders will be forced to liquidate their real estate holdings, which will result in lower home values and less equity for homeowners,” Isakson said. “I am very pleased with this legislation. It targets the purchase of the very homes causing the economy its biggest problems. A $7,000 tax credit will inspire buyers to get back into the market to absorb this standing inventory of homes that are foreclosed or pending foreclosure.”

Specifically, the legislation includes Isakson’s proposal to provide a direct tax credit for the purchase of a single-family home in the amount of $7,000 over two years for purchases made within one year of the legislation’s enactment. Eligible properties include two categories of single family homes where a foreclosure filing has occurred pursuant to the laws of the state in which the residence is located:

Homes that were occupied as a principal residence by the mortgagor for at least one year prior to foreclosure being filed (i.e., no investment properties).

New construction properties that have never been occupied where permitting and construction began on or before September 1, 2007. (These also must be foreclosed or pending foreclosure.)

In the mid-1970s, America faced a similar housing crisis when a period of easy credit and loose underwriting flooded the market with new construction. Interest rates rose, the economy slowed and America was left with a three-year supply of vacant homes. Congress responded by passing a $2,000 tax credit for anyone purchasing a new home for their principal residence. Isakson believes the results were clear and swift as home values stabilized, housing inventory dropped and the market recovered.

“This tax credit worked to restore the housing market in 1975 and it will work again today,” Isakson said.

Isakson spent more than three decades in the real estate business, beginning his business career in 1967 when he opened the first Cobb County office of a small, family-owned real estate business, Northside Realty. Isakson later served as president of Northside for 20 years, presiding over the company’s growth into the largest independent residential real estate brokerage company in the Southeast and one of the largest in America.

Secretary Handel closes qualifying for state House District 93

Secretary of State Karen Handel closed qualifying for the special election to fill state House District 93 Wednesday, April 9, 2008 at noon. Five candidates qualified and paid the qualifying fee of $400 for the special election to be held on Tuesday, May 13, 2008. If no candidate receives a majority of the vote, a run-off election will be held Tuesday, June 10, 2008.

The following candidates qualified and will be placed on the ballot in alphabetical order:

Dee Dawkins-Haigler
6050 Kingston Wood Way
Lithonia, GA 30038
Party Affiliation: Democrat

Malik Douglas
5945 Idlewood Place
Lithonia, GA 30038
Party Affiliation: Democrat

Colet Odenigbo
4548 Tulie Ct.
Lithonia, GA 30038
Party Affiliation: Democrat

Jim Sendelbach
2675 N. Lakeview Dr. SW
Conyers, GA 30094
Party Affiliation: Democrat

Traci Waites
1272 Rhodes Walk
Conyers, GA 30094
Party Affiliation: Democrat

The election is a non-partisan special election with no party primary. However, each candidate’s party affiliation will be listed on the ballot.

All citizens residing in State House District 93 who are not registered to vote can register through Thursday, April 10, 2008. Voter registration forms can be obtained at any county registrar’s office or from the Secretary of State’s website: http://www.sos.state.ga.us/elections/voter_registration/voter_reg_app.htm.

Polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 13, 2008. Advance voting will be held Monday, May 5 through Friday, May 9, 2008. The election will be held in portions of DeKalb and Rockdale counties. To find your advanced voting location, contact your county registrar’s office.

Voters can request an absentee ballot from their county registrar’s office through the close of business on Friday, May 9, 2008. All absentee ballots must be received by the county registrar by close of business on Election Day, May 13, 2008. Photo identification is not required when voting by mail.

Voters will be required to show photo identification when voting in person. For more information on the requirements for photo ID, please call 1-877-725-9797 or visit www.GaPhotoID.com.

Chambliss Applauds Passage of Legislation to Stabilize Housing Market

U.S. Senator Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., today made the following statement following passage of the Foreclosure Prevention Act of 2008, HR 3221, which passed the Senate by a vote of 88 to12. Chambliss was a co-sponsor of a provision included in the legislation authored by U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., to provide a $7,000 tax credit over two years for the purchase of a foreclosed home or a home that is pending foreclosure. A similar tax credit was invoked by Congress in the mid-1970s, when the housing market was in a similar crisis.

“This legislation is a step in the right direction toward addressing the current housing crisis and providing incentives for people to get in the market. I was in Dalton, Georgia, recently, and the effects the housing crisis has had on our businesses and families are very real. Purchasing a home is part of the American dream, and I’m pleased Senator Isakson’s tax credit provision was included in the legislation passed today. Georgians are looking to members of Congress to work together to address the challenges families are facing in a responsible way, and I believe this is a good example of results that can be achieved when we do just that.”

Isakson, Chambliss Praise Confirmation of James Randall Hall to Serve as Federal Judge for Southern District of Georgia

U.S. Senators Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., and Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., today praised the Senate’s confirmation of Augusta attorney James Randall Hall to serve as the next United States District Court Judge for the Southern District of Georgia.

President Bush tapped Hall to fill the judicial vacancy created by the Honorable B. Avant Edenfield, who elected to take senior status effective Aug. 2, 2006. Both Isakson and Chambliss recommended Hall for the post.“Randy Hall is a attorney with a reputation for integrity and character,” Isakson said on the Senate floor. “I am pleased the Senate has confirmed this fine jurist.”“The Southern District of Georgia will be well-served with Randy Hall on the bench,” said Chambliss. “I’m pleased my Senate colleagues join me in supporting his confirmation.”

Hall currently serves as a partner with Warlick Tritt Stebbins & Hall, LLP. He previously served in the Georgia State Senate as a senator for the 22nd District. He graduated from Augusta College in 1979 and from the University of Georgia School of Law in 1982. He serves on the Augusta-Richmond County Community Partnership for Children and Families and attends the Trinity on the Hill United Methodist Church.

Help Defend the American Dream In Georgia!

Defending the American Dream Summit, May 3rd

Today, the voices of average Americans are being drowned out by lobbyists and special interests. The result: policies that are threatening to destroy the American Dream – higher property taxes and out-of-control government spending, job-killing regulations, and endless red-tape. But you can do something about it. You can send a powerful message to the politicians, special interests, and the mainstream media by taking part in the Defending the American Dream Summit - Georgia.

On May 3rd in Atlanta, GA, you can join America’s foremost free-market voices, top experts on grassroots mobilization, and Georgia’s largest gathering of grassroots leaders from across the state in a massive show of force for our shared belief in lower taxes and more limited government.

Early registration is only $29 for general, $15 for students, and $60 for families.
Confirmed Speakers Include:
Grover Norquist, Americans for Tax Reform
Tom Price, U.S. Congressman
Phil Gingrey, U.S. Congressman
Karen Handel, Secretary of State
Chip Rogers, State Senator
Jerry Shearin, Paulding County Commission
Jim Harrell, Forsyth County Commission

Location:
755 Club at Turner Field - Atlanta, Georgia

About AFP
Our MissionAmericans for Prosperity (AFP) and Americans for Prosperity Foundation (AFP Foundation) are committed to educating citizens about economic policy and mobilizing those citizens as advocates in the public policy process. AFP is an organization of grassroots leaders who engage citizens in the name of limited government and free markets on the local, state and federal levels. The grassroots members of AFP advocate for public policies that champion the principles of entrepreneurship and fiscal and regulatory restraint.AFP Foundation is committed to educating citizens about economic policy and a return of the federal government to its Constitutional limits. AFP Foundation’s educational programs and analyses help policymakers, the media and individual citizens understand why policies that promote the American enterprise system are the best method to ensuring prosperity for all Americans. To that end, AFP and AFP Foundation supports:
A Taxpayer's Bill of Rights to protect the economic interests of citizens by making it harder to raise taxes and waste scarce tax dollars on frivolous programs.
Cutting taxes and government spending in order to halt the encroachment of government in the economic lives of citizens by fighting proposed tax increases and pointing out evidence of waste, fraud, and abuse.
Tax and Expenditure Limitations to promote fiscal responsibility.
Removing unnecessary barriers to entrepreneurship and opportunity by sparking citizen involvement in the regulatory process early on in order to reduce red tape.
Restoring fairness to our judicial system by stemming the tide toward "over-criminalization" of economic activity spurred by over-active attorneys general.
Working with well-known businessman and free-market advocate Herman Cain to expand all of these projects to even more states across the country in our recently-launched "State Prosperity Expansion Project."
Americans for Prosperity and Americans for Prosperity Foundation are two separate entities with their own governing boards. Each is a national organization based in Washington, DC, with staff on the ground in Colorado, Kansas, North Carolina, Texas, Oklahoma, Virginia and Wisconsin. AFP and AFP Foundation plan to open other state chapters across the nation.
What We Do AFP and AFP Foundation’s network of organized and influential citizen leaders in a growing number of states throughout the country is working to change the nation one state at a time.
AFP mobilizes citizens to effectively make their voices heard in public policy issue campaigns.
AFP educates citizens about where their elected officials stand on our issues.
AFP and AFP Foundation combine "best-in-class" capabilities built once at the national level with local knowledge from our state staff and on-the-ground armies to create economies of scale that win.
AFP and AFP Foundation leverage our comparative advantages with those of other groups by building coalitions of local, state, and national organizations fighting for a common cause.
Through its Grassroots Training Schools, AFP Foundation has recruited and educated thousands of citizens on how to promote greater economic prosperity.
AFPF Legal StatusAmericans for Prosperity Foundation is a section 501(c)(3) organization under the Internal Revenue Code. Contributions to AFP Foundation are tax deductible. AFP Foundation’s focus is to educate the general public about public policy issues, not to support or oppose specific legislation.
Americans for Prosperity is a section 501(c)(4) organization under the Internal Revenue Code. Contributions or gifts to AFP are not tax deductible. AFP can advocate for and against specific legislation at the state and federal levels.
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If you have questions about AFPF's legal status, contact us at info@AFPhq.org.

Bob Barr Annouces Candidacy (Exploratory)

Barr Announces Presidential Exploratory Committee

4/5/08 Addressing Midwestern activists at the Heartland Libertarian Conference today, former Congressman Bob Barr announced the launch of the Bob Barr 2008 Presidential Exploratory Committee (BobBarr2008.com).

In his speech, Barr noted that, “America today faces a grave moral and leadership crisis, and those of us who care about our country’s future can no longer sit on the sidelines and remain neutral. As Rev. King told us more than four decades ago, ‘the true measure of a man is where he stands at times of challenges and controversy.’ And, as Dante Alighieri said many centuries before, ‘the hottest places in Hell are reserved for those who, in times of great moral crisis, maintain their neutrality.’”

Continuing, Barr stated that, “some say it is not now expedient or politically pragmatic to do the right thing, for the right reason.” But, he then asked his audience, “When has there been a better time? When has the risk of inaction carried more serious consequences? When will it be appropriate to take extraordinary steps? What must happen to our Constitution before we set aside our complacency and expediency in favor of principle?”

Barr represented the 7th District of Georgia in the U. S. House of Representatives from 1995 to 2003, where he served as a senior member of the Judiciary Committee, as Vice-Chairman of the Government Reform Committee, and as a member of the Committee on Financial Services. Prior to his congressional career, Barr was appointed by President Reagan to serve as the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia, and also served as an official with the CIA for nearly eight years.

Since leaving Congress, Barr has been practicing law and actively advocating American citizens’ right to privacy and other civil liberties guaranteed in the Bill of Rights. He serves also as a board member for the National Rifle Association, and works with the American Conservative Union and other groups.

Barr’s speech to the Heartland audience touched on the issues the candidates for the two major status quo parties have not addressed sufficiently, namely: the urgent need for truly cutting the size of the federal government, protecting our civil liberties, securing our borders, and fundamentally reforming our tax code.

“Removing ‘earmarks’ but not cutting the underlying spending is simply government as usual and is nothing more than a cynical shell game,” Barr stated; adding, “and that’s the high water mark in the debate thus far.“ Barr said this is not adequate, and that America’s voters deserve better than a choice between the lesser of two evils.”

The Libertarian Party, America’s oldest and largest third party, formed in 1971, is on track to achieve ballot access in at least 48 states. Its nominee will be chosen at the Libertarian National Convention which will be held in Denver, CO May 22 through 26.

President Bush, Weekly Radio Address

THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. I'm speaking to you from Europe, where I attended the NATO summit and witnessed the hopeful progress of the continent's youngest democracies.
The summit was held in Romania, one of the 10 liberated nations that have joined the ranks of NATO since the end of the Cold War. After decades of tyranny and oppression, today Romania is an important member of an international alliance dedicated to liberty, and it is setting a bold example for other former communist nations that desire to live in peace and freedom.

One of those nations is Croatia, which I'm also visiting on my trip. Croatia is a very different place than it was just a decade ago. Since they attained their independence, the Croatian people have shown the world the potential of human freedom. They've overcome war and hardship to build peaceful relations with their neighbors, and they have built a maturing democracy on the rubble of a dictatorship.

This week NATO invited Croatia, as well as the nation of Albania, to join the NATO Alliance. These countries have made extraordinary progress on the road to freedom, prosperity, and peace. The invitation to join NATO represents the Alliance's confidence that they will continue to make necessary reforms and that they will become strong contributors to NATO's mission of collective defense.

I regret that NATO was not able to extend an invitation to a third nation, Macedonia, at this week's summit. Like Croatia and Albania, Macedonia has met all the criteria for NATO membership. Unfortunately, its invitation was delayed because of a dispute over its name. I made clear that the name issue should be resolved quickly, that NATO should intensify its engagement with Macedonia, and that we look forward to the day when this young democracy takes its place among the members of the NATO Alliance.

After a century when the great wars of Europe threatened destruction throughout the world, the continent has now entered into a promising new era. Less than two decades ago, Albania, Croatia, and Macedonia suffered under the yoke of communist oppression. The people in these countries know what the gift of liberty means, because they know what it is like to have their liberty denied. They know the death and destruction that can be caused by the followers of radical ideologies who kill the innocent in pursuit of political power. And these lessons have led them to work alongside America in the war on terror.

Today, soldiers from Croatia, Albania, and Macedonia are serving bravely in Afghanistan, helping the Afghan people defeat terrorists and secure a future of liberty. And forces from Albania and Macedonia are also serving in Iraq, where they're helping the Iraqi people build a society that rejects terror and lives in freedom. These nations have displayed the ultimate devotion to the principle of liberty -- sacrificing to provide it for others.

Albania, Croatia, and Macedonia are not alone in discarding the change to their past and embracing the promise of freedom. Another burgeoning democracy is Ukraine. Earlier this week I traveled to Kyiv to express America's support for beginning the process of bringing both Ukraine and Georgia into NATO. In recent years, both of these nations have seen tens of thousands take to the streets to peacefully demand their God-given liberty. The people of Ukraine and Georgia are an inspiration to the world and I was pleased that this week NATO declared that Ukraine and Georgia will become members of NATO.

Nearly seven years ago I came to Europe and spoke to the students and faculty at Warsaw University in Poland. On that day I declared that all of Europe's new democracies -- from the Baltic to the Black Sea -- should have the same chance for security and freedom and the same chance to join the institutions of Europe. Seven years later we have made good progress toward fulfilling this vision, and more work remains.

In many parts of the world, freedom is still a distant aspiration -- but in the ancient cities and villages of Europe, it is at the center of a new era of hope.

Thank you for listening.

League of Women Voters Executive Director to Speak at Clayton State, April 7

Polly McKinney, executive director of the League of Women Voters of Georgia, will be speaking on gender and political participation as part of Clayton State University’s celebration of Women’s History Month on Monday, Apr. 7.

McKinney will be appearing in room 272 of the James M. Baker Center on the Clayton State campus from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. A voter registration table, staffed by Clayton State students from the School of Business’ Women in Leadership Class, will be available directly outside the room during this event. This discussion of gender and political participation is free and open to all interested parties.

“Clayton State University’s Women’s History Month Committee thinks that the historical candidacy of Hillary Rodham Clinton brings the issue of women’s political participation to the forefront. This topic, however, is one that has relevance far beyond this particular election year,” says Dr. Deborah Deckner, assistant professor in the Clayton State Department of Psychology and a member of the Women’s History Month Committee. “Women in America have had the vote for the better part of a century and have been the majority of the voting age population for the past several decades, but only hold about 16 percent of America’s congressional seats. In comparison, many European countries have close to 40 percent of their legislative seats filled by women.

“We think that this topic will be of interest to anyone who is concerned about equitable political representation.”

McKinney has always been drawn to projects where hard work and academic analysis meet. She was a member of the first graduating class of the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics and went on to minor in Pre-med and major in English Literature at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She attended the University of Bristol (England) for a year, focusing on English Literature, the history of Theology, and Art History, and spent three summers at St. Edmund’s Hall in Oxford, where she studied the History of Literature and Literary Criticism.

As a documentary producer in the late 80’s/early 90’s, she directed, wrote, and edited various programs for local public television. Her favorite projects were interview-based documentaries, a number of which were nominated for regional Emmy Awards. After leaving public TV, McKinney went on to write and direct the documentary which now plays on a continuous loop at the National P.O.W. Museum at Andersonville, Ga. This project, narrated by Colin Powell, involved countless interviews of former American prisoners of war, including Senator John McCain and Vice Admiral James Stockdale.

In addition, McKinney spent some time as a legacy advisor for Georgia Governor Zell Miller, and has worked her share of national and statewide political ad campaigns.

A unit of the University System of Georgia, Clayton State University is an outstanding comprehensive metropolitan university located 15 miles southeast of downtown Atlanta.